Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The authority intends to adopt rules to define the process of becoming a behavioral health certified peer counselor. During the course of this review, the authority 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: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

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 Maureen Bailey, Program Questions, P.O. Box 55534, Olympia, WA 98504-5534, phone 360-725-9997, fax 360-586-9727, TRS 711, email maureen.bailey@hca.wa.gov, website www.hca.wa.gov/about-hca/rulemaking.