PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Disability Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is reviewing:
| • | Building/construction requirements in WAC 388-78A-2900 through 388-78A-3130. |
| • | Other sections relating to resident quality of life, quality of care and safety as necessary which may include but are not limited to: WAC 388-78A-2170 through 388-78A-2200 (boarding home services), WAC 388-78A-2630 through 388-78A-2650 (reporting requirements); WAC 388-78A-2660 through 388-78A-2690 (resident rights); and WAC 388-78A-2700 (safety). |
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 18.20 RCW, Boarding homes.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is amending chapter 388-78A WAC:
| • | To clarify building requirements for new boarding home construction. |
| • | To enhance readability of several building requirement sections. |
| • | To create flexibility in construction requirements for providers to meet resident needs. |
| • | To identify other sections that address resident quality of life, quality of care, and safety that may need to be amended or added. |
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington state building code council; Washington state department of health, facilities and services licensing, construction review services; Washington state long-term care ombudsman; and Disability Rights Washington (formerly called Washington Protection and Advocacy System). Draft rules will be shared with the above entities and others for review and comment during the rule-making process.
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. DSHS will follow all established rule-making procedures related to rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Todd Erik Henry, Boarding Home Program, Residential Care Services, Aging and Disability Services Administration, Department of Social and Health Services, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98513, phone (360) 725-2580, fax (360) 438-7903, TTY 1-877-905-0454, e-mail henryte@dshs.wa.gov.
November 19, 2007
Stephanie E. Schiller
Rules Coordinator