The WA State Board of Health has released its DRAFT health and safety rules and is seeking feedback from private schools.
For easier review, the first section outlines the new rules—some for new construction and others for all schools. The second section (after page 29) compares the old and new rules, highlighting the key changes.
These rules, developed by the Technical Advisory Committee over the past five months, underwent a challenging negotiation process with input from private school representatives, public school districts, the PTA, the Department of Health, and local health leaders.
WFIS’ feedback on this version of the rules includes the following. Please send your comments through the comment form linked below!
- School inspections should occur no more than once every three years, or five years if no significant issues arise (page 12, #2).
- The cost of required changes needs to be considered before these rules are passed.
- The health and safety rules are burdensome, especially for small schools, which should be exempt from some requirements.
- Each rule should specify whether it applies to new construction or all schools.
Read the rules here: WAC 246-370 Language for Public Comment.
Comment here: School Environmental Health and Safety Rule comment form.
The comment period will run through February 9, 2025.