Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: 2SSB 6544, chapter 272, Laws of 1998.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In the 1998 session, the legislature transferred responsibility for boarding home licensing to the Department of Social and Health Services. An integral piece of the transfer is to ensure the health and safety of boarding home residents through quality assurance activities. An immediate increase in license fees is needed to perform the quality assurance activities.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Social and Health Services welcomes the public to take part in developing the rule(s). Anyone interested in participating should contact the staff person indicated below. After the rule(s) is drafted, the Department of Social and Health Services will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and anyone else 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 Patricia Hague at (360) 753-0631 or fax at (360) 586-5923 or write to same at Home and Community Rates, P.O. Box 45819, Olympia, WA 98504-5819.

June 29, 1998

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit