WSR 16-08-004

EMERGENCY RULES

[Filed March 24, 2016, 11:30 a.m., effective April 1, 2016]

Effective Date of Rule: April 1, 2016.

Purpose: The department is adopting, amending, and repealing rules to comply with 2SSB 6312, chapter 225, Laws of 2014. 2SSB 6312 requires, in part, the regional support networks (RSN) to be renamed behavioral health organizations (BHO) effective April 1, 2016, and authorizes the department to establish regional service areas within the state with the intended effect of integrating substance use disorder treatment with mental health services. Changes include updating definitions, changing "chemical dependency" to "substance use disorder," clarifying processes, and making editing changes to provide clarification and consistency within the rules.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 388-865-0100, 388-865-0105, 388-865-0106, 388-865-0107, 388-865-0110, 388-865-0115, 388-865-0120, 388-865-0150, 388-865-0200, 388-865-0205, 388-865-0210, 388-865-0215, 388-865-0220, 388-865-0221, 388-865-0222, 388-865-0225, 388-865-0229, 388-865-0230, 388-865-0235, 388-865-0240, 388-865-0245, 388-865-0250, 388-865-0265, 388-865-0270, 388-865-0275, 388-865-0280, 388-865-0282, 388-865-0284, 388-865-0286, 388-865-0288, 388-865-0300, 388-865-0305, 388-865-0310, 388-865-0315, 388-865-0320, 388-865-0325, 388-865-0330, 388-865-0335, 388-865-0345, 388-865-0350, 388-865-0355, 388-865-0360, 388-865-0363, 388-865-0365, 388-877A-0400, 388-877A-0410, 388-877A-0420, 388-877A-0430, 388-877A-0440, 388-877A-0450 and 388-877A-0460; and amending WAC 388-875-0070, 388-877-0100, 388-877-0200, 388-877-0300, 388-877-0305, 388-877-0335, 388-877-0365, 388-877-0420, 388-877-0600, 388-877-0605, 388-877-0610, 388-877-0620, 388-877-0640, 388-877A-0200, 388-877A-0270, 388-877A-0340, 388-877B-0100, 388-877B-0110, 388-877B-0120, 388-877B-0130, 388-877B-0200, 388-877B-0210, 388-877B-0220, 388-877B-0230, 388-877B-0240, 388-877B-0250, 388-877B-0260, 388-877B-0270, 388-877B-0280, 388-877B-0300, 388-877B-0310, 388-877B-0320, 388-877B-0330, 388-877B-0340, 388-877B-0350, 388-877B-0360, 388-877B-0370, 388-877B-0400, 388-877B-0405, 388-877B-0410, 388-877B-0420, 388-877B-0430, 388-877B-0440, 388-877B-0450, 388-877B-0500, 388-877B-0510, 388-877B-0530, 388-877B-0540, 388-877B-0550, 388-877B-0600, 388-877B-0610, 388-877B-0630, 388-877B-0640, 388-877B-0650, 388-877B-0660, and 388-877C-0110.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 70.02.290, 70.96A.040(4), 71.05.560, 71.24.035 (5)(c), 71.34.380.

Other Authority: 2SSB 6312 (chapter 225, Laws of 2014).

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: This rule supports the requirements in 2SSB 6312, chapter 225, Laws of 2014, which requires the renaming of RSN to BHO effective April 1, 2016. The intent of the rule is to ensure BHOs provide or contract with behavioral health agencies to provide both substance use disorder treatment services and mental health services to individuals who need these services. An RSN currently provides only mental health services. The immediate adoption of this rule assures the preservation of the public health, safety, and welfare for those individuals needing both substance use disorder treatment services and mental health services from a BHO on April 1, 2016, and after. The department anticipates a May 24, 2016, public hearing date for the proposed permanent rule.

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 27, Amended 56, Repealed 51.

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 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

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 27, Amended 56, Repealed 51.

Date Adopted: March 21, 2016.

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator