WSR 22-24-012

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Aging and Long-Term Support Administration)

[Filed November 29, 2022, 9:57 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is considering amending chapter 388-76 WAC, Adult family home minimum licensing requirements, WAC 388-76-10750 Safety and maintenance. The intent is to provide clarity about access to hand sanitizer in compliance with infection control, safety, and maintenance regulations in adult family homes. Homes must meet infection control requirements while also ensuring resident safety. The department may amend other related rules as appropriate.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 70.128.040.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These changes will give clear requirements for adult family homes to allow residents who have been assessed as "safe" unsupervised access to hand sanitizer. It will assist homes in meeting or maintaining infection control standards by increasing access for residents who can safely use hand sanitizer without supervision.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Colleen Jensen, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 564-999-3182, fax 360-438-7903, email colleen.jensen1@dshs.wa.gov.

November 29, 2022

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator