Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department must amend WAC 388-406-0005 Can I apply for cash, medical, or Basic Food?, to implement new legislation enacted as RCW 74.09.555. Related rules may be amended as determined during the rule filing process.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 74.09.555.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is directed to adopt rules to ensure acceptance and processing of medical assistance applications by people with a serious mental illness so that medical benefits are reinstated when they leave a public institution.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Doug Sevin, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4614, fax (360) 493-3493, e-mail sevindj@dshs.wa.gov.

November 18, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit