WSR 10-13-158

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed June 23, 2010, 8:36 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 10-09-074.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing to eliminate the use of administrative review teams, replace obsolete terminology and revise functional assessment language by revising WAC 388-448-0050 PEP step II -- How we determine the severity of mental impairments, 388-448-0080 PEP step V -- How we determine your ability to function in a work environment if you have a mental impairment, 388-448-0090 PEP step V -- How we determine your ability to function in a work environment if you have a physical impairment, 388-448-0100 PEP step VI -- How we evaluate capacity to perform relevant past work, and 388-448-0110 PEP step VII -- How we evaluate your capacity to perform other work.

     Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, Auditorium, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/RPAU-OB-2directions.html

or by calling (360) 664-6094), on August 10, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than August 11, 2010.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by

5 p.m. on August 10, 2010.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by July 27, 2010, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at johnsjl4@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed amendments include elimination of the administrative review teams, obsolete language, and a revision of the functional assessment language.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.04.005.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, and 74.04.005.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Melissa Mathson, 712 Pear Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98503, (360) 725-4563.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses. The proposed amendments only affect DSHS clients by clarifying the description of medical evidence requirements to determine incapacity.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. These amendments are exempt as allowed under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii) which states in-part, "[t]his section does not apply to ... rules of the department of social and health services relating only to client medical or financial eligibility and rules concerning liability for care of dependents."

June 17, 2010

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     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 10-14 issue of the Register.

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