Comment period extended to Aug. 12

DES originally asked for thoughts by Aug. 1, but is now asking for feedback through Aug. 12. The date was extended after stakeholders requested more time to review the preliminary discussion draft.

The purpose is to:

• Align the rules with current RCWs for clarification and clean-up purposes. Changes will not alter existing practices.
• Make technical edits for clarification and clean-up purposes. This includes clarifying that Washington State Patrol (WSP) has delegated authority from DES for enforcement on the campus and that the extra step of a DES complaint is not a prerequisite. The clarification does not change existing practices.
• Establish a process for appealing campus exclusion in the enforcement section. Exclusion is an administrative process that can be used instead of citing someone for criminal trespass, which is a misdemeanor. Right now, we don’t have the option to use this civil process due to the gap in the rules. DES and WSP use overall public safety as a guide in seeking compliance with rules and laws. Our general approach is to use the lowest level of enforcement action, starting with seeking voluntary compliance, whenever possible.

Seeking feedback

We’d like to invite you to join the conversation. Sharing your ideas and thoughts now, early in the rulemaking process, allows us to incorporate your feedback as we craft changes to the rules.

• See the preliminary discussion draft.
• Provide your comments and feedback by Aug. 12.

Next steps

After reviewing initial feedback, DES will formally propose rule changes and hold a public comment period and public hearing. Learn more.