PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-360 WAC, Transient accommodations.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.62.240 and 43.20.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The transient accommodations (TA) statute applies to homeless shelters. The current TA rules apply to homeless shelters that meet the definition of having three or more lodging units and offering lodging for periods of less than thirty days. When the TA rules were revised in 2004, the state board of health and the department of health convened a stakeholder work group that developed a consensus framework for regulating homeless shelters, and recommended creation of a new section of the TA rules that would specifically apply to shelters. The rules are now being reopened to work with stakeholders to determine what regulations, if any, should be adopted to protect the health of homeless shelter residents, as well as workers, volunteers and the community by providing a healthy and safe community.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state board of health has rule-making authority for TA; communicable disease control; and environmental health and safety in public facilities. The facilities and services licensing division of the department of health implements the TA regulations. The department and the board of health will work in partnership throughout the rule-making process. The department of community, trade, and economic development will be involved throughout the process. Other state and federal agencies whose work affects the homeless will also be involved including veterans' agencies; the state department of social and health services; and the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. A number of meetings and other formats will be available for information and input. Interested parties can contact Yvette Fox, Department of Health, Facilities and Services Licensing, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-2928, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail yvette.fox@doh.wa.gov.
June 28, 2007
Craig McLaughlin
Executive Director