Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services (DSHS) is proposing to add new, repeal, and amend sections referencing background checks in WAC 388-101D-0065, 388-101D-0070, 388-101D-0075, 388-101D-0080, 388-825-020, 388-825-600, 388-825-605, 388-825-610, 388-825-615, 388-825-620, 388-825-621, 388-825-625, 388-825-630, 388-825-640, 388-825-650, 388-825-655, 388-825-660, 388-825-665, 388-825-670, 388-825-675, 388-825-680, 388-825-685, 388-825-690, 388-829C-070, and 388-829R-030; other related rules as may be required.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Required by federal or state law related to legislative changes for 2025 session to include: HB [ESHB] 1385, HB [ESHB] 1395, and HB [SHB] 1490. Additional changes will be considered for clarifying the frequency of background checks, use of previously requested results, and renewals. If applicable, these amendments will make additional changes required to improve clarity, update policy, or better align rule language with state and federal law or regulations.

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 Jeanette K. Childress, Background Check Program Manager, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5310, phone 360-628-4292, TTY 711 relay service, email Jeanette.Childress1@dshs.wa.gov.