WSR 98-04-091

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

[Filed February 4, 1998, 11:50 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Civil fines in boarding homes.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.20.050 and 18.20.190.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Statutory authority for civil fines already exists in RCW 18.20.190. The Department of Health has relied on technical assistance in the past to promote compliance. However, in the last year Level 2 complaints have increased from 64 in 1996 to 280 in 1997. Level 3 complaints have increased from 24 in 1996 to 109 in 1997. Technical assistance is no longer sufficiently working and the department needs a greater deterrent to increase compliance.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Department of Social and Health Services and the long-term care ombudsman will be involved in any meetings and all mailings regarding this rule.

Process for Developing New Rule: Draft language will be mailed to interested parties for comment.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jennell Prentice, Rules Coordinator, Facilities and Services Licensing, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852, (360) 705-66661 [705-6661], (360) 705-6654. Interested parties may contact Jennell Prentice to be placed on a mailing list. Questions should be directed to Kathy Stout, Director of Facilities and Services Licensing, at (360) 705-6652.

February 4, 1998

Bruce Miyahara