WSR 11-23-155

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Disability Services)

[ Filed November 22, 2011, 9:50 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 11-07-085.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: These amendments to chapter 388-845 WAC, Home and community based waivers, will clarify current definitions in rule to promote consistent expectations for reporting and tracking of employment and day services. The program "person to person" will no longer exist as it currently resides in WAC. Clients that previously received "person to person" services may now qualify for "individual technical assistance" services which are not currently defined in our WAC. These changes were effective July 1, 2011.

     Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, Lookout Room, DSHS Headquarters, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/RPAU-OB-2directions.html

or by calling (360) 664-6094), on January 10, 2012, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than January 11, 2012.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, delivery 1115 Washington Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5 p.m. on January 10, 2012.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Jennisha Johnson, DSHS rules consultant, by December 27, 2011, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6094 or by e-mail at jennisha.johnson@dshs.wa.gov.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: The proposed amendments are in response to Budget Bill Section 103(7) which mandated that the joint legislative audit and review committee (JLARC) examine the operations of employment and day services as provided by DSHS, DDD, and administered by the counties. JLARC provided to the legislature a description of how funds are used and the rates paid to vendors, and best practices the agency should use for the development of a consistent outcome-based contract for services provided under contracts with the counties. These amendments are proposed to implement the recommendations by JLARC which were provided to the legislature on or before September 1, 2010.

     By not making these changes, there is a risk that the department can no longer collect federal funds on individual technical assistance services as the WAC will not specify that these services are covered under the home and community based waiver services and therefore not a federally reimbursable expense.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 71A.12.030.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 71A.12.030.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Name of Proponent: Department of social and health services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting: Meredith Kelly, 4450 10th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 725-3524; Implementation: Kris Pederson, 4450 10th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 725-3445; and Enforcement: Don Clintsman, 4450 10th Avenue S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, (360) 725-3421.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. No small business impact was prepared as the amended rules proposed clarify language in the WAC and generally make the rules easier to understand by the consumer. Furthermore, there are no costs imposed on small businesses by these proposed rules. Based on RCW 19.85.025, the proposed rule making is exempt from preparing a small business economic impact statement.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. Rules adopting or incorporating by reference without material change federal statutes or regulations, Washington state statutes, rules of other Washington state agencies, shoreline master programs other than those programs governing shorelines of statewide significance, or, as referenced by Washington state law, national consensus codes that generally establish industry standards, if the material adopted or incorporated regulates the same subject matter and conduct as the adopting or incorporating rule;

     (d) Rules that only correct typographical errors, make address or name changes, or clarify language of a rule without changing its effect;

     (e) Rules the content of which is explicitly and specifically dictated by statute;

     (f) Rules that set or adjust fees or rates pursuant to legislative standards; or

     (g) Rules that adopt, amend, or repeal:

     (i) A procedure, practice, or requirement relating to agency hearings; or

     (ii) A filing or related process requirement for applying to an agency for a license or permit.

November 9, 2011

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 11-24 issue of the Register.

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