Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-880-056 How SCC considers a resident for release to an LRA (amend), 388-880-057 How SCC considers a resident's revocation of LRA status (amend), 388-880-058 How SCC considers a recommendation for a resident's unconditional discharge (amend), 388-880-059 Communicating and coordinating resident discharge and conditional release related matters (amend); and possible other sections as required.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department of social and health services (DSHS) recognizes these WAC have not been updated since 2013 and since then there have been policy and RCW changes that require an update. DSHS has decided to combine WAC 388-880-056 through 388-880-058 into one WAC. This will help clarify expectations of the senior clinical team and clarify how the special commitment center (SCC) reviews residents whose less restrictive alternative status is revoked. WAC 388-880-059 is being amended to clarify communication expectations for SCC when a resident is conditionally released or discharged.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: This currently only affects the behavioral health administration and SCC.

Process for Developing New Rule: 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 Emma Palumbo, Olympia, WA 98504-5854, phone 360-972-6214, email emma.palumbo@dshs.wa.gov.