PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Aging and Adult Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Dementia care units in licensed boarding homes, WAC 388-78A-335.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 18.20.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Currently WAC 388-78A-335 requires all dementia care units in boarding homes to have fire sprinkler systems and other environmental modifications installed by January 1, 2000. Also, by January 1, 2000, in dementia care units with doors that restrict egress, the doors must release automatically when a fire alarm system is activated. And for boarding home construction after June 30, 1995, doors with restricted egress must also have a delayed release "panic bar" or other delayed release door latching mechanism. Fire safety standards are being reviewed and may be revised. It may be more efficient to adopt a more current standard in the future rather than retain this standard for implementation on January 1, 2000.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington State Fire Marshal in the Washington State Patrol is responsible for fire safety inspections in boarding homes. Construction review services in the Department of Health is responsible for reviewing plans for construction/remodeling of boarding homes. Both of these offices will be advised of the issues and invited to attend public meetings, as well as submit written comments.
Process for Developing New Rule: Stakeholder meetings will be held to solicit ideas and comments from affected parties. Members of three associations representing boarding homes interests, the long-term care ombudsman program, construction review services, and the State Fire Marshal will be invited to attend, and other interested parties may attend the public meetings. DSHS welcomes the public to take part in amending this rule. Anyone interested in participating should contact the staff person indicated below. After an amended rule is drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and send a copy to the parties listed above and anyone else 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 Denny McKee, Policy and Training Unit, Aging and Adult Services Administration, Department of Social and Health Services, P.O. Box 45600, Olympia, WA 98504-5600, phone (360) 407-0120, e-mail mckeedd@dshs.wa.gov.
August 20, 1999
Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit