WSR 26-09-137
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
[Filed April 22, 2026, 8:23 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Trauma rehabilitation service standards. The department of health (department) is considering amending rules in WAC 246-976-800 to align with national standards and current clinical practice recommendations for inpatient trauma rehabilitation facilities.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The national rehabilitation facility accreditation standards published by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) was updated in 2025. The department is considering amending existing rules to align more closely with CARF standards, with the goal of promoting high-quality rehabilitation care, reducing disability, and supporting optimal patient outcomes.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Tim Orcutt, P.O. Box 47853, Olympia, WA 98504-7853, phone 360-628-0583, TTY 711, email tim.orcutt@doh.wa.gov, website www.doh.wa.gov.
Additional comments: The department will use existing GovDelivery lists and other known contact information to inform interested parties of opportunities to provide input. To find out more information about our rule making, visit www.doh.wa.gov. To subscribe to the GovDelivery emailing list, email traumadesignation@doh.wa.gov and request to be added to the trauma designation rule work interested parties GovDelivery mailing list.
April 21, 2026
Kristin Peterson, JD
Chief of Policy
for Dennis E. Worsham
Secretary of Health