Subject of Possible Rule Making: 23-Hour crisis relief centers (CRCs) for minors in Washington state. The department of health (department) is considering amending the behavioral health agency regulations in chapter 246-341 WAC including, but not limited to, WAC 246-341-0903 to implement E2SSB 5853 (chapter 367, Laws of 2024), an act relating to extending the crisis relief center (CRC) model to provide behavioral health crisis services for minors.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In 2023, the legislature passed 2SSB 5120 (chapter 433, Laws of 2023), establishing 23-hour CRCs in the state of Washington. At that time, by definition, CRCs were only meant to serve adults. In 2024, the legislature passed E2SSB 5853 amending the definition of "23-hour crisis relief center" in RCW 71.24.025 to remove the reference to adults and adding certain requirements in RCW 71.24.916 for 23-hour CRCs that wish to serve children ages eight and older. Section 2(2) of E2SSB 5853 directs the department to amend the licensure and certification rules for CRCs to create standards for the licensure or certification of CRCs which provide services to children.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Health care authority (HCA) and the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF). The department is required to consult with HCA and DCYF on the development of these rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Dan Overton, P.O. Box 47843, Olympia, WA 98504-7843, phone 360-236-2953, fax 360-236-2321, TTY 711, email dan.overton@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.

Additional comments: Interested parties may participate in the development of draft rules prior to a formal proposal by joining the department's interested parties list (GovDelivery), attending workshops, and providing input on draft and proposed materials. To find out more about our rule making and to be included on the interested parties list, please follow these steps: (1) Go to doh.wa.gov; (2) click on the "Sign up for Updates from DOH" button on the bottom of the page; (3) enter your contact information; (4) click "Submit"; (5) under the subscription preferences, check the box that says "Behavioral Health Care Integration"; and (6) scroll to the bottom of the page and click "Submit."