Subject of Possible Rule Making: Behavioral health agency (BHA) and residential treatment facility (RTF) fee updates. The department of health (department) is considering rule amendments to update BHA and RTF fees. Updates to BHA fees, WAC 246-341-0365, and RTF fees, WAC 246-337-990, may also consider changes to clarify and standardize language.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is considering amendments to sections of rule regarding initial license, annual, and other fees for BHA and RTF to address funding requirements. An update may be needed to adequately fund inspection, investigation, and licensing programs to protect patients. The requirement in RCW 43.70.250 states that fees must cover regulatory program expenses which necessitates the program(s) to be self-funding and changes to rules are the only way to make fee adjustments.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Heather Cantrell, P.O. Box 47850, Olympia, WA 98504-7850, phone 360-236-4637, TTY 711, email HSQAFeeRules@doh.wa.gov, website doh.wa.gov, https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/WADOH/subscriber/new.

Additional comments: The department will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to GovDelivery, please visit www.doh.wa.gov and select the "Sign up for Updates From DOH" button at the bottom of the page. After signing in, please select the box labeled "Health Systems Quality Assurance." Next, select the box labeled "Community Health Systems," and then click "Facilities" and "Residential Treatment Facilities" for RTFs and select "Behavioral Health Care Integration" for BHAs and any other facility types or subjects you are interested in.