PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Health and Rehabilitative Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 388-825 WAC, governing Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) Services rules including, but not limited to, WAC 388-825-030 Eligibility for services, 388-825-035 Determination of eligibility, 388-825-040 Application for services, 388-825-045 Determination for necessary services, 388-825-055 Authorization of services, and 388-825-200 through 388-825-256.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 71A.10.020, 71A.12.020, 71A.12.030, 71A.12.040, 71A.12.050, 71A.12.070, 71A.16.020, 71A.16.030, 71A.16.040, and 71A.16.050.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: These WACs need to be merged, edited to correct erroneous internal WAC references, or rewritten in clear rule-writing format. The department also intends to make rule revisions to programs affected by new legislative budget directives and make major changes to the eligibility criteria for the eligible conditions of epilepsy, autism, and "another neurological or other condition." For children birth to age three, rule changes will align DDD eligibility rules more closely with the state's eligibility requirements under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: DSHS is the only state agency regulating DDD services. However, DDD will consult with other DSHS agencies, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, counties, provider groups, advocates, and other stakeholder and constituent groups.
Process for Developing New Rule: The department invites the interested public to participate in developing these rules. Advisory workgroups comprised of DSHS staff, professionals, and other interested parties will be consulted in the writing of the draft regulations. A proposed rule-making notice and the proposed rule text will be distributed for formal comment at a later date, a public hearing will be held, and the department will consider all comments before adopting final rules. Draft material and information about how to participate are available by contacting the DSHS representative identified below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Sue Poltl, Program Manager, Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, P.O. Box 45310, Olympia, WA 98504-5310, phone (360) 902-8474, fax (360) 902-8482, e-mail Poltlse@dshs.wa.gov.
March 19, 2002
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit