PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
(Board of Nursing Home Administrators)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-843-010 and 246-843-205, amending the rule to include a definition of the parameters for on-site full-time administrators in nursing homes with small resident populations when the nursing home has converted some of its licensed nursing facility bed capacity for use as assisted living or enhanced assisted living services under chapter 74.39A RCW and to tie this definition to the standards of practice.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 366, Laws of 2011 (ESSB 5708), amending RCW 18.52.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: ESSB 5708 amended RCW 18.52.030 to require the board of nursing home administrators to define by rule the parameters for on-site full-time administrators in nursing homes with small resident populations when the nursing home has converted some of its licensed nursing facility bed capacity for use as assisted living or enhanced assisted living services under chapter 74.39A RCW. This rule is to comply with that requirement.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department of social and health services (DSHS) regulates both nursing homes and boarding homes. DSHS will be notified of all rule-making activities.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. A workshop will take place by video-conference in four different locations throughout the state. For information about the workshops, or for those unable to attend who would like to submit comments, contact Kendra Pitzler, Department of Health, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, phone (360) 236-4723, fax (360) 236-2901, e-mail kendra.pitzler@doh.wa.gov.
September 7, 2011
Blake T. Maresh
Executive Director
Board of Nursing
Home Administrators