Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend chapter 388-878 WAC to develop rules for the conditions of participation in the outpatient competency restoration program, within the framework of the forensic mental health care system. This rule making will include but not be limited to detailing the eligibility requirements for a person to receive outpatient competency restoration, medication management, or regular urinalysis testing for defendants with substance use disorders. The department may add new rules or amend other related rules as may be required.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These rules are necessary to implement ESSB [E2SSB] 5444 (chapter 326, Laws of 2019).

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The healthcare authority will be a partner in the development and promulgation of these rules.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department of social and health services (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 Teva Weissman, 1115 Washington Street N.E., Mailstop 45525, Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-902-7637, email teva.weissman@dshs.wa.gov.