WSR 24-20-116
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
[Filed October 1, 2024, 9:56 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: E2SHB 1086 established the office of behavioral health advocacy (OBHA), moving authority from the health care authority (HCA) to the department of commerce (commerce). OBHA oversees behavioral health advocacy throughout the state, working closely with Peer WA to deliver these services.
Possible rule-making topics include, but are not limited to, updates to:
| |
| • | Establish standards for certifying behavioral health consumer advocates. |
| • | Procedures for access by behavioral health consumer advocates to providers or facilities. |
| • | Protecting the confidentiality of records. |
| • | Unifying advocacy efforts statewide for consistent service delivery. |
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW
71.40.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are needed to ensure consistent qualifications for advocates, streamline access procedures, and protect confidentiality. This will enhance advocacy effectiveness, ensure privacy, and unify statewide efforts for equitable service delivery.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: HCA and department of social and health services.
Process for Developing New Rule: Standard rule-making process.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Hyeeun Park, 1011 Plum Street S.E., P.O. Box 4252, Olympia, WA 98504-2525, phone 564-669-8141, email hyeeun.park@commerce.wa.gov.
Additional comments: Commerce maintains an email distribution list for communication with stakeholders. Interested parties may add their names to the distribution list by visiting the web page listed above.
October 1, 2024
Amanda Hathaway
Rules Coordinator