Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: As required in RCW 71.34.670 for family-initiated treatment, the authority intends to adopt rules to define "appropriately trained professional person" operating within their scope of practice within Title 18 RCW for the purposes of conducting mental health and substance use disorder evaluations under RCW 71.34.600(3) and 71.34.650(1). During the course of this review, the authority may identify additional related changes that are required in order to improve clarity or update policy.

Process for Developing New Rule: The authority 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 authority 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 Valerie Freudenstein, Rulemaking Questions, P.O. Box 42716, Olympia, WA 98504-2716, phone 360-725-1344, fax 360-586-9727, telecommunication[s] relay service (TRS) 711, email valerie.freudenstein@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking; or Enos Mbajah, Program Questions, P.O. Box 45056, Olympia, WA 98504-5056, phone 360-725-1879, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email enos.mbajah@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.