Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-980 WAC, Home care aides, the department of health is considering amending the rules to allow a one-time opportunity to extend the applicant's work period beyond the initial date of hire to allow individuals to complete their initial certification. The department is also considering revising the rules to reduce barriers to reentry and define additional terms.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current statute allows only two hundred calendar days to work while pursuing a home care aide certification, unless exempt. After that, workers must complete training, pass the certification exam, and be issued a home care aide credential before returning to work. The rule may be needed because some applicants are not able to complete all requirement[s] within the existing two hundred days which exacerbates the current short supply of home care aides.

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 also regulates aspects of home care aides, and will be consulted on an ongoing basis.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Stacey Saunders, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98505, phone 360-236-2813, fax 360-236-2901, TTY 711, email homecareaides@doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: All rule-making notices will be sent via GovDelivery to the home care aides mailing list. To receive notices, please sign up at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.