PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revising and combining chapter 246-323 WAC, Residential treatment facilities for psychiatrically impaired children and youth; chapter 246-325 WAC, Adult residential rehab centers and private adult treatment homes, and chapter 246-326 WAC, Alcoholism treatment facilities.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 71.12 RCW.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is revising these rules based on review findings from the Governor's Executive Order 97-02. Three separate rules already exist. The residential type care setting has similar health, safety and environmental concerns. The department intends to combine like requirements into one core chapter with separate sections addressing specific needs of each facility type.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Department of Social and Health Services, Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse and the Mental Health Division. Representatives from both divisions will participate on the oversight committee for rule development.
Process for Developing New Rule: An oversight committee consisting of representatives from DSHS and representatives from facilities in each category will assist the department in rule development. All draft materials will be made available to constituents for a larger review audience. All comments will be taken into consideration for final rule development. Meetings are planned for March 3, May 5, July 7, and September 8.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Theresa Phillips, Rules Coordinator, Facilities and Services Licensing, P.O. Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504, e-mail Theresa.Phillips@doh.wa.gov, (360) 705-6655, (360) 705-6654.
February 14, 2000
Mary C. Selecky
Secretary