EMERGENCY RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Disability Services Administration)
Purpose: The Division of Developmental Disabilities has received approval from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to implement four home and community based service (HCBS) waivers, which replace the current community alternatives program (CAP) waiver, and as a result is adopting new chapter 388-845 WAC, DDD home and community based services waivers.
These rules only replace the emergency rules in chapter 388-845 WAC filed as WSR 04-16-019, removing respite care from the aggregate package of services in the Basic and Basic Plus waivers, and implementing a new respite assessment for individuals in the Basic and Basic Plus waivers. Emergency rules in chapter 388-825 WAC as filed in WSR 04-16-019 remain in effect.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 71A.12.030, 71A.12.120.
Other Authority: Chapter 71A.12 RCW.
Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest; and that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.
Reasons for this Finding: These rules were originally filed on an emergency basis as WSR 04-08-020. The approval of the HCBS waivers by CMS required the department to implement new rules on April 1, 2004, to protect the health and welfare of eligible clients by ensuring no interruption in services to current participants in the CAP waiver occurs, and to ensure a continuation of federal matching funds under 42 C.F.R. 441, Subpart G - Home and Community Based Services -- Waiver Requirements.
The department has filed a notice of intent to adopt permanent rules as WSR 03-20-103. Ongoing negotiations with CMS and the need to obtain extensive feedback from stakeholders have delayed the filing of proposed rules for adoption on a permanent basis until the negotiations are completed and the feedback is obtained.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 116, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 116, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: September 21, 2004.
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 04-22 issue of the Register.