WSR 98-16-022
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Adult Services Administration)
[Filed July 28, 1998, 9:24 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: AASA is reviewing those portions of Washington Administrative Code, chapters 388-15 and 388-17 WAC, that pertain to the provision of social services for disabled adults. Specifically, portions of chapter 388-15 WAC to be reviewed consist of WAC 388-15-120, 388-15-145, 388-15-194, 388-15-203 through 388-15-206, 388-15-500 through 388-15-568, 388-15-580, and 388-15-690 through 388-15-810. All sections of chapter 388-17 WAC will be reviewed. This review may result in the repeal or amendment of existing rules or the adoption of new rules that affect AASA services. A full list of rules under review may be requested by contacting the individual listed below.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: General statutory authority is derived from RCW 74.04.015, 74.04.050, 74.04.057, 74.04.200, and 74.08.090. Specific statutory authority will be provided for each rule filing that follows from this review.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In compliance with the Executive Procedures Act, Executive Order 97-02, and the (DSHS) Secretary's Order on Regulatory Improvement, AASA will assure, through this review, that the above cited rules are written in a simple, clear, effective style, targeted to the intended audience; developed through a public process, involving clients, vendors, advocates, government agencies and other interested parties; streamlined and consolidated to the extent possible; and repealed to the extent that they are not needed for effective program operation.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Health Care Financing Administration, Social Security Administration, Office of the Attorney General, Department of Health, Department of Services for the Blind, Department of Veteran's Affairs, Health Care Policy Board, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Governor's Committee on Disability Issues and Employment, Developmental Disabilities Planning Council, Long-Term Care Ombudsman and other administrations within the Department of Social and Health Services. AASA to work with all other affected agencies: Include them in mailings, invite meeting participation regarding these rule changes and any other rule development activities. When possible, opportunities to collaborate will be published in the Washington State Register and posted on agency Internet pages.
Process for Developing New Rule: As described in detail in AASA's regulatory improvement review plan, AASA will seek the opinion of all stakeholders as to which of the above cited rules should be considered for repeal or revision. Based on public input and priorities outlined in the Order on Regulatory Improvement, AASA will set a schedule for in-depth review of the rules selected. If warranted, AASA will then convene stakeholder workgroups around topic areas to develop recommendations. Upon determining proposed WAC changes, AASA will implement the agency's official rule-making process, including scheduled, formal and informal meetings to allow for advisory committee and public input.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tom Kearns, Aging and Adult Services Administration, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone (360) 493-2544, TTY (360) 493-2637, fax (360) 438-8633, e-mail tkearns@dshs.wa.gov.
July 24, 1998
Edith M. Rice, Chief
Office of Legal Affairs