Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The agency is creating a new section within this chapter to meet the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) milestone requirement 3 regarding the agency's Section 1115 Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Waiver Implementation Plan. Milestone 3 requires the adoption of rules reflecting the requirement that residential treatment facilities offer medication assisted treatment access on-site or facilitate off-site access. The agency is also initiating this rule making to implement provisions of RCW 71.24.585 related to behavioral health agencies and medication assisted treatment. During the course of this review, the agency may identify additional related changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) via state plan amendment.

Process for Developing New Rule: The agency welcomes the public to take part in developing this rule. If interested, contact the person identified below to receive an early rule draft to review. After the early review, the agency will send a notice of proposed rule making (CR-102) to everyone receiving this notice and 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 Michael Williams (Rule Writer), P.O. Box 42716, phone 360-725-1346, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication relay services (TRS) 711, email michael.williams@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Jessica Blose (Program Questions), P.O. Box 45506, phone 360-725-1088, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email jessica.blose@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.