Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 246-337-040 Construction review services requirements, the department of health (department) is considering updating residential treatment facility rules to reflect upcoming changes to the Washington state building code. Changes may reflect classification(s) of residential treatment facility occupancy types. The department may consider amending other rules in chapter 246-337 WAC directly related to this building code change, if necessary.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Washington state building code council (SBCC) updated its rules in WAC 51-50-0308, effective July 1, 2020 (WSR 20-01-090). The former building code classified all residential treatment facilities as Group I-1, Condition 2, occupancy type regardless of what type of service was provided in the facility. The updated building code, as of July 1, 2020, will state: "Residential treatment facilities licensed by Washington state under chapter 246-337 WAC shall be classified as one or more occupancy types in accordance with chapter 246-337 WAC."

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Department construction review services staff have participated in the department of enterprise services SBCC's rule-making project.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will participate in collaborative rule making and will notify interested stakeholders and partners about rule development meetings and rule notices and related activities through email and on the department website. 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 John Hilger, P.O. Box 47843, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-236-2929, fax 360-236-2321, TTY 711, email john.hilger@doh.wa.gov, website doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties can participate in the drafting of the proposed rules. The department will be conducting a rules workshop. The department will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform stakeholders of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit doh.wa.gov/BHI and to be included on an interested parties list select the "Subscribe" button at the bottom of that page.