WSR 26-04-116

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Home and Community Living Administration)

[Filed February 3, 2026, 9:22 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services (DSHS) is considering new rules regarding financial management services vendors to address mileage reimbursements and other services provided by a financial management services vendor. Other rules may be created or amended as necessary.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 50B.04.020 (3)(k).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The rule-making project is needed to address services offered by a financial management services vendor through the WA Cares fund program. The rules will provide direction for beneficiaries choosing to use their benefit on services provided by a financial management services vendor.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Employment security department and health care authority. Coordination will occur between departments for consistent implementation of the WA Cares fund program under chapter 50B.04 RCW.

Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Arielle Finney, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone 360-764-0384, TTY 711 relay service, email Arielle.Finney2@dshs.wa.gov.

February 2, 2026

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator