Effective Date of Rule: October 1, 2006.

     Purpose: Residential care services division recently assumed responsibility for conducting investigations of entities and alleged perpetrators where allegations of abandonment, abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation in certified supported living programs are reported. Portions of WAC 388-71-0100 through 388-71-1280 (adult protective services) and WAC 388-97-077 (resident protection program) are being incorporated without material change into chapter 388-101 WAC to reflect this change in responsibility. No substantive changes are being made to any existing requirements including those governing: (1) Vulnerable adult abuse and neglect reporting, (2) abuse and neglect investigations and notification, and (3) due process and appeal rights.

     The proposed rules also amend WAC 388-101-2300 to clarify that vehicles used to transport clients must be insured as required by existing state law and that providers, employees and subcontractors who transport clients must have a valid driver's license. The proposed rules incorporate existing state law by reference (chapters 46.20, 46.29, and 46.30 RCW) and do not impose new requirements.

     These proposed rules only address some of the elements identified in preproposal statement of inquiry WSR 05-07-132. The department plans to propose additional changes to chapter 388-101 WAC under WSR 05-07-132.

     The proposed WAC amendments reflect an internal administration change of responsibility for conducting investigations of alleged abandonment, abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation in certified supported living programs. Chapter 388-101 WAC needs to indicate that ADSA-adult protective services is no longer conducting certain investigations.

     A recent audit by the state auditor's office stated that the department should establish adequate internal controls to ensure that vehicles used to transport clients of supported living services are properly insured. The audit recommended that the department clearly define its expectations for properly insured vehicles used to transport clients.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 388-101-1100, 388-101-1105, 388-101-1110, 388-101-1115, 388-101-1120, 388-101-1125, 388-101-1130, 388-101-1135, 388-101-1140 and 388-101-1145; and amending WAC 388-101-2300.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 71A.12.030 and 71A.12.080.

     Other Authority: Chapter 71A.12 RCW.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 06-11-152 on May 23, 2006.

     Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Adopted Version:

     WAC 388-101-1101 Abuse and neglect reporting requirements: (1) All administrators, owners, and staff and volunteers are mandated reporters and must report instances of suspected abandonment, abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults as defined in, and accordance with chapter 74.34 RCW.

     WAC 388-101-1106 Investigation of mandated reports: (3) If, after completing an investigation under this chapter, the department concludes that it is more likely than not that the alleged perpetrator a specific individual abandoned, abused, neglected, or financially exploited a client, the department will make an initial finding against the alleged perpetrator individual.

     WAC 388-101-1111 Notice of an initial finding: (1) The department will notify the alleged perpetrator individual in writing within ten working days of making an initial finding of abandonment, abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a client. The written notice will not include the identities of the alleged victim, reporter and witnesses.

     (2) The department shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to determine the last known address of the alleged perpetrator individual.

     WAC 388-101-1116 Reporting initial findings: (1) In a manner consistent with confidentiality requirements concerning the client, witnesses, and reporter, the department may provide notification of an initial finding to:

     (a) Other divisions within the department;

     (b) The agency or program identified under RCW 74.34.068 with which the alleged perpetrator individual is associated as an employee, volunteer or contractor;

     (c) Law enforcement; and

     (d) Other investigative authorities consistent with chapter 74.34 RCW.

     WAC 388-101-1121 Disputing an initial finding: (1) An individual alleged perpetrator of to have abandonmented, abused, neglected, or financially exploitationed of a client may request an administrative hearing to challenge an initial finding made by the department.

     (2) The request must be made in writing to the office of administrative hearings.

     (3) The office of administrative hearings must receive the alleged perpetrator's individual's written request for a hearing within thirty calendar days of the date the individual was served with notice of the initial finding.

     (4) The written request for a hearing must include:

     (a) The full legal name, current address and phone number of the alleged perpetrator individual;

     (b) A brief explanation of why the alleged perpetrator individual disagrees with the initial finding;

     (c) A description of any assistance needed in the administrative appeal process by the alleged perpetrator individual, including a foreign or sign language interpreter or any accommodation for a disability; and

     (d) The alleged perpetrator's individual's signature.

     WAC 388-101-1126 Disclosure of investigative and finding information: (1) The alleged perpetrator individual may only use confidential information provided by the department as needed to challenge initial findings through the appeal process.

     WAC 388-101-1131 Hearing procedures to dispute an initial finding: (2) The administrative law judge shall determine whether a preponderance of the evidence supports the initial finding that the alleged perpetrator individual abandoned, abused, neglected, or financially exploited a vulnerable adult, and shall issue an initial order.

     WAC 388-101-1136 Appeal of the administrative law judge's initial order on a finding: (1) If the alleged perpetrator individual or the department disagrees with the administrative law judge's decision, either party may challenge this decision by filing a petition for review with the department's board of appeals under chapter 34.05 RCW and chapter 388-02 WAC.

     WAC 388-101-1141 Finalizing an initial finding: (1) An initial finding becomes a final finding when:

     (a) The department gives the alleged perpetrator individual notice of the initial finding pursuant to WAC 388-101-1110 and the alleged perpetrator individual does not request an administrative hearing;

     (b) The administrative law judge:

     (i) Dismisses the hearing following withdrawal of the appeal or default; or

     (ii) Issues an initial order upholding the finding and the alleged perpetrator individual fails to appeal the initial order to the department's board of appeals; or

     (c) The board of appeals issues a final order upholding the finding.

     (2) The final finding is permanent and will not be removed from the department's records unless:

     (a) It is rescinded following judicial review; or

     (b) The department decides to remove a single finding of neglect from its records based upon a written petition by the alleged perpetrator individual provided that at least one calendar year has passed since the finding was finalized and recorded.

     WAC 388-101-1146 Reporting final findings: The department will report a final finding of abandonment, abuse, neglect and financial exploitation within ten working days to the following:

     (1) The perpetrator individual;

     (2) The service provider that was associated with the perpetrator individual during the time of the incident;

     (3) The service provider that is currently associated with the perpetrator individual, if known;

     WAC 388-101-2300 Client transportation: (3) A vehicle that the service provider uses to transport clients must be:

     (a) In safe operating condition; and

     (b) Insured as required by chapters 46.29 and 46.30 RCW.

     (43) Service providers, employees, and subcontractors persons associated with the provider, who transport clients, must:

     (a) Hhave a valid driver's license as required by chapter 46.20 RCW.; and

     (b) Only use vehicles that are:

     (i) In safe operating condition; and

     (ii) Insured as required by chapters 46.29 and 46.30 RCW.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 10, Amended 1, Repealed 10.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 10, Amended 1, Repealed 10.

     Date Adopted: August 23, 2006.

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

     (2) Reports must be made to the centralized toll free telephone number for reporting abandonment, abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of vulnerable adults, provided by the department.

     (3) Reports must be made to law enforcement agencies, as required under chapter 74.34 RCW.

     (4) Service providers must have policies and procedures complying with state law that specify reporting requirements for client abandonment, abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation.

     (5) Each administrator, owner, staff person, and volunteer must read and sign the policy about reporting requirements. The service provider must retain the signed policy for staff and volunteers.

[]

     (2) The department investigation will include an investigation of allegations about one or more of the following:

     (a) A service provider;

     (b) Anyone associated with a service provider; or

     (c) A client receiving services under this chapter.

     (3) If, after completing an investigation under this chapter, the department concludes that it is more likely than not that the alleged perpetrator abandoned, abused, neglected, or financially exploited a client, the department will make an initial finding against the perpetrator.

[]

     (2) The department shall make a reasonable, good faith effort to determine the last known address of the alleged perpetrator.

     (3) The time frame for notification can be extended beyond ten working days to include the time needed to translate the notification letter or make provisions for the safety of the alleged victim.

     (4) Notice of the initial finding will be served as provided in chapter 388-02 WAC.

[]

     (a) Other divisions within the department;

     (b) The agency or program identified under RCW 74.34.068 with which the alleged perpetrator is associated as an employee, volunteer or contractor;

     (c) Law enforcement; and

     (d) Other investigative authorities consistent with chapter 74.34 RCW.

     (2) The notification will identify the finding as an initial finding.

[]

     (2) The request must be made in writing to the office of administrative hearings.

     (3) The office of administrative hearings must receive the alleged perpetrator's written request for a hearing within thirty calendar days of the date the individual was served with notice of the initial finding.

     (4) The written request for a hearing must include:

     (a) The full legal name, current address and phone number of the alleged perpetrator;

     (b) A brief explanation of why the alleged perpetrator disagrees with the initial finding;

     (c) A description of any assistance needed in the administrative appeal process by the alleged perpetrator, including a foreign or sign language interpreter or any accommodation for a disability; and

     (d) The alleged perpetrator's signature.

[]

     (2) Confidential information such as the name and other personal identifying information of the reporter, witnesses, or the client will be redacted from documents unless otherwise ordered by the administrative law judge consistent with chapter 74.34 RCW and other applicable state and federal laws.

[]

     (2) The administrative law judge shall determine whether a preponderance of the evidence supports the initial finding that the alleged perpetrator abandoned, abused, neglected, or financially exploited a vulnerable adult, and shall issue an initial order.

[]

     (2) If the department appeals the administrative law judge's decision, the department will not modify the finding in the department's records until a final hearing decision is issued.

[]

     (a) The department gives the alleged perpetrator notice of the initial finding pursuant to WAC 388-101-1110 and the alleged perpetrator does not request an administrative hearing;

     (b) The administrative law judge:

     (i) Dismisses the hearing following withdrawal of the appeal or default; or

     (ii) Issues an initial order upholding the finding and the alleged perpetrator fails to appeal the initial order to the department's board of appeals; or

     (c) The board of appeals issues a final order upholding the finding.

     (2) The final finding is permanent and will not be removed from the department's records unless:

     (a) It is rescinded following judicial review; or

     (b) The department decides to remove a single finding of neglect from its records based upon a written petition by the alleged perpetrator provided that at least one calendar year has passed since the finding was finalized and recorded.

[]

     (1) The perpetrator;

     (2) The service provider that was associated with the perpetrator during the time of the incident;

     (3) The service provider that is currently associated with the perpetrator, if known;

     (4) The appropriate licensing authority; and

     (5) The department's registry of findings of abandonment, abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. The findings may be disclosed to the public upon request.

[]

     (a) Emergency medical care;

     (b) Medical appointments; and

     (c) Therapies.

     (2) Within available resources, the service provider must provide necessary assistance with transportation to and from:

     (a) Work, school or other publicly funded services;

     (b) Leisure or recreation activities;

     (c) Client-requested activities; and

     (d) ISP/POC- or IISP-related activities.

     (3) A vehicle that the service provider uses to transport clients must be:

     (a) In safe operating condition; and

     (b) ((Properly)) Insured ((for its usage)) as required by chapters 46.29 and 46.30 RCW.

     (4) Service providers, employees, and subcontractors who transport clients must have a valid driver's license as required by chapter 46.20 RCW.

[05-05-077, recodified as § 388-101-2300, filed 2/15/05, effective 2/15/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 71A.12.030, 71A.12.080, and chapter 71A.12 RCW. 04-23-070, § 388-820-720, filed 11/15/04, effective 12/16/04. Statutory Authority: Title 71A RCW. 01-22-020, § 388-820-720, filed 10/26/01, effective 1/1/02.]

     Reviser's note: The bracketed material preceding the section above was supplied by the code reviser's office.
REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:

WAC 388-101-1100	Abuse and neglect reporting requirements.
WAC 388-101-1105	Investigation of mandated reports.
WAC 388-101-1110	Notice of an initial finding.
WAC 388-101-1115	Reporting initial findings.
WAC 388-101-1120	Disputing an initial finding.
WAC 388-101-1125	Disclosure of investigative and finding information.
WAC 388-101-1130	Hearing procedures to dispute an initial finding.
WAC 388-101-1135	Appeal of the administrative law judge's initial order on a finding.
WAC 388-101-1140	Finalizing an initial finding.
WAC 388-101-1145	Reporting final findings.

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office