Supplemental Notice to WSR 07-14-082.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 07-15-026.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is amending chapter 388-76 WAC, Adult family homes minimum licensing requirements, to add new sections regarding resident protection program/due process rights of individuals alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited or financially exploited a resident.

     Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, First Floor, Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6094), on December 11, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than December 12, 2007.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail DSHSRULESCOORDINATOR@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on December 11, 2007.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS Rules Consultant, by December 4, 2007,

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 rule making adds sections to chapter 388-76 WAC regarding due process rights for persons alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited or financially exploited adult family home residents. The changes add information about investigations, notification, hearings and appeals.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: Persons alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited or financially exploited adult family home residents are entitled to due process. Provide individuals, adult family home providers, the department and others with clear guidance regarding due process rights of individuals alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited or financially exploited residents.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70.128.040.

     Statute Being Implemented: Chapters 70.128 and 74.34 RCW.

     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: Roger Woodside, P.O. Box 45600, Mailstop 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, (360) 725-3204; Implementation and Enforcement: Pat Jennings, P.O. Box 45600, Mailstop 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, (360) 725-2404.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The department determined there were no more than "minor costs" as defined in changes made in RCW 19.85.030 in 2007. A copy of the statement may be obtained by contacting Todd Henry, P.O. Box 45600, Mailstop 45600, Olympia, WA 98513, phone (360) 725-2580, fax (360) 438-7903, e-mail henryte@dshs.wa.gov.

     A cost-benefit analysis is required under RCW 34.05.328. A preliminary cost-benefit analysis may be obtained by contacting Todd Henry, P.O. Box 45600, Mailstop 45600, Olympia, WA 98513, phone (360) 725-2580, fax (360) 438-7903, e-mail henryte@dshs.wa.gov.

October 19, 2007

Stephanie E. Schiller

Rules Coordinator

     (a) A reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult has been abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited or financially exploited; or

     (b) Suspected abandonment, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

     (2) Reports must be made to:

     (a) The centralized toll free telephone number provided by the department; and

     (b) Law enforcement agencies, as required under chapter 74.34 RCW.

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     (2) A department investigation may include an investigation of allegations about one or more of the following:

     (a) A provider;

     (b) Employee of the adult family home;

     (c) Entity representative;

     (d) Anyone affiliated with a provider; and

     (e) Caregiver.

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     (a) Will not include the identities of the alleged victim, reporter and witnesses; and

     (b) Will include the necessary information for the individual to ask for an administrative hearing to challenge the preliminary finding.

     (2) The department must make a reasonable, good faith effort to find the last known address of the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident.

     (3) The department may extend the time frame for notification beyond ten working days for good cause.

     (4) The department will serve notice of the preliminary finding as provided in chapter 388-02 WAC.

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     (a) The federal or state department or agency list of individuals found to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a vulnerable adult;

     (b) Other divisions within the department;

     (c) The agency or program identified under RCW 74.34.068 with which the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident is associated as an employee;

     (d) The employer or program that is currently associated with the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident, if known;

     (e) Law enforcement; and

     (f) Other investigative authorities consistent with chapter 74.34 RCW.

     (2) The notification will identify the finding as a preliminary finding.

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     (2) The request must be made in writing to the office of administrative hearings.

     (3) The office of administrative hearings must receive the individual's written request for an administrative hearing within thirty calendar days of the date written on the notice of the preliminary finding.

     (4) The written request for a hearing must include:

     (a) The individual's full legal name, current mailing address and telephone number;

     (b) A brief explanation of why the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident disagrees with the preliminary finding;

     (c) A description of any assistance needed in the administrative appeal process by the individual, including a foreign or sign language interpreter or any reasonable accommodation for a disability; and

     (d) The individual's signature.

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     (2) If a conflict exists between the provisions of this chapter and chapter 388-02 WAC, the provisions of this chapter prevail.

     (3) If an administrative law judge within the office of administrative hearings determines that a preponderance of the evidence supports the preliminary finding that the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident, then the administrative law judge will issue an initial order.

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     (a) The department notifies the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident there is a preliminary finding pursuant to WAC 388-76-11005; and

     (b) The individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident does not ask for an administrative hearing; or

     (c) The administrative law judge:

     (i) Dismisses the hearing following withdrawal of the appeal or default; or

     (ii) Issues an initial order upholding the finding and the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident fails to appeal the initial order to the department's board of appeals; or

     (d) The board of appeals issues a final order upholding the finding.

     (2) A final finding is permanent.

     (3) A final finding will only be removed from the department or agency list of individuals found to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a vulnerable adult if:

     (a) It is rescinded following judicial review; or

     (b) The department decides to remove a single finding of neglect from its records based upon a written petition by the individual found to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident provided that at least one calendar year must have passed between the date a request was made to remove the finding of neglect and the date the final finding was finalized and recorded.

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     (2) If the department appeals the administrative law judge's decision, the department will not change the finding in the department's records until a final hearing decision is issued.

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     (1) The individual found to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident and for whom there is a final finding;

     (2) The provider or entity representative that was associated with the individual alleged to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a resident during the time of the incident;

     (3) The adult family home or program that is currently associated with the individual, if known;

     (4) The appropriate licensing, certification or registration authority;

     (5) The federal or state department or agency list of individuals found to have abandoned, abused, neglected, exploited, or financially exploited a vulnerable adult; and

     (6) The findings may be disclosed to the public upon request subject to applicable public disclosure laws.

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     (2) Confidential information such as the name and other personal identifying information of the reporter, witnesses, or the resident will be redacted from documents unless release of that information is consistent with chapter 74.34 RCW and other applicable state and federal laws.

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