Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-341 WAC, Behavioral health services administrative requirements, the department of health (department) is considering adopting a new chapter of rules regarding the licensing and certification of behavioral health services.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The authority for behavioral health agency licensing and certification transfers from the department of social and health services to the department on July 1, 2018. Effective July 1, the department adopted emergency rules under chapter 246-341 WAC. The emergency rules will be used as a foundation for permanent rules that will establish licensure and certification standards for behavioral health services providing mental health, substance use disorder, and problem and pathological gambling services, under statutory authorities transferred to the department by 2ESHB 1388. This new chapter is intended to replace the sections of chapter 388-877 WAC regarding licensing and certification of behavioral health agencies that have been repealed by DSHS as a result of 2ESHB 1388.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department is working closely with the department of social and health services, the health care authority, the department of children, youth, and families, and the governor's office on all areas of behavioral health integration.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will participate in collaborative rule making and will notify interested stakeholders about rule development meetings and rule notices and related activities through email and on the department web site. A public hearing on proposed rules will be held at a later date.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Stephanie Vaughn, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98550-7850 [98504-7850], phone 360-236-4617, TTY 360-833-6388 or 711, email stephanie.vaughn@doh.wa.gov, web site www.doh.wa.gov/BHI.

Additional comments: Stakeholders may sign up for the program's interested party list (GovDelivery) at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new under the topic Behavioral Healthcare Integration. All rule-making notices will be mailed via GovDelivery. Rule development will take place in open public meetings prior to a formal rule proposal and comment period.