WSR 23-13-026

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

[Filed June 9, 2023, 3:52 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services (DSHS) is planning to amend WAC 388-447-0120 How does alcohol or drug dependence affect my eligibility for referral to the housing and essential needs (HEN) program?, 388-449-0220 How does alcohol or drug dependence affect my eligibility for the ABD cash and pregnant women assistance programs?, and other related rules as may be required.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.005, 74.04.050, 74.04.0052, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.04.655, 74.04.770, 74.08.025, 74.08.043, 74.08.090, 74.08.335, 74.08A.100, and 74.62.030.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Due to the passage of ESHB 1260 (chapter 289, Laws of 2023), planned amendments will expand good cause reasons for not participating in substance use disorder assessment or treatment as a condition of eligibility for the aged, blind, or disabled cash assistance, HEN Referral, and pregnant woman assistance programs, effective July 23, 2023.

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 Sarah Mintzer, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone 360-764-0050, fax 360-725-4905, email Sarah.Mintzer@dshs.wa.gov.

June 9, 2023

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator