WSR 25-15-137
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Behavioral Health and Habilitation Administration)
[Filed July 22, 2025, 10:49 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-825-091 Am I eligible for intermediate care or nursing facility services at an RHC?, 388-825-093 Can I receive a short-term stay at a residential habilitation center (RHC)?, and 388-825-094 What is the process to receive services in an RHC?
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In the 2025 legislative session, the legislature passed SSB 5393, closing Rainier School by June 30, 2027. This legislation directs that the department of social and health services (DSHS) will not permit "any new long-term admissions" to Rainier School as of July 27, 2025, and no new admissions as of June 30, 2027. These rules are necessary to set standard definitions and implement the legislation.
Process for Developing New Rule: Emergency rule making; 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 Emma Palumbo, P.O. Box 45050, Olympia, WA 98504-5050, phone 360-972-6214, email Emma.Palumbo@dshs.wa.gov.
July 22, 2025
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator