WSR 25-16-078

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Home and Community Living Administration)

[Filed August 1, 2025, 7:03 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services (department) is creating rules in a new chapter of Title 388 WAC to implement section 16 of ESSB 5291 (chapter 380, Laws of 2025). Rules will address requirements for the pilot project to be conducted from January 1 through June 30, 2026. Other related rules as may be necessary.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 50B.04.020 (3)(k).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department must adopt rules to establish program requirements for the pilot project, including participating locations, capacity limitations, approved services limitations, and other topics necessary to implement.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Employment security department, health care authority. Coordination will occur between departments for consistent implementation of the WA Cares fund program under chapter 50B.04 RCW.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, the department 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 Arielle Finney, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone 360-764-0384, TTY 711 relay service, email Arielle.Finney2@dshs.wa.gov.

August 1, 2025

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator