WSR 17-21-086 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES (Aging and Long-Term Support Administration) [Filed October 17, 2017, 2:41 p.m.] Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend chapter 388-97 WAC, Nursing homes, including WAC 388-97-1090 Direct care hours, and other related rules as may be required. Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 18.20 RCW. Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is notifying stakeholders that it plans to amend WAC 388-97-1090 in order to implement ESHB 1548. ESHB 1548 requires the department to create learning objectives and core competencies for training that are at least thirty hours in length which geriatric behavioral health workers must complete prior to being recognized in the minimum staffing requirements as part of the direct care service delivery. This training must be specific to the diagnosis and crisis management of residents with a mental health disorder, traumatic brain injury, dementia, or developmental disabilities, be outcome-based, and the effectiveness of the training must be measured through the use of a competency test. Standards for the approval of training that would meet these requirements will also be included.
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 Charles Demler, Policy Program Manager, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone 253-983-3837, fax 253-589-7240, email demlecs@dshs.wa.gov, web site https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa; or Amy Abbott, Office Chief of Policy, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone 360-725-2489, fax 360-407-1976, email beckeame@dshs.wa.gov, web site https://www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa. October 17, 2017 Katherine I. Vasquez Rules Coordinator |