Rulemaking Webinars for Disaster Preparedness
Dear Provider Letter:
The Department of Social and Health Services (Department) is considering amending Chapters 388-76, 388-78A, 388-97, and 388-107 WAC as may be required to implement sections 1-18 and 20-29 of Substitute House Bill (SHB) 1218 (Chapter 159, Laws of 2021). The rulemaking will affect disaster preparedness requirements for adult family homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and enhanced services facilities.
The first rulemaking project filed under WSR 22-04-046 on January 26, 2022 will address the following subjects:
• Adopt requirements for providers to publicly post stop placement orders;
• Adopt requirements for providers to create and maintain resident rosters as well as respond to requests from ombuds for roster information;
• Incorporate new definition of resident representative; and
• Replace the phrase “his or her” with appropriate gender-neutral terms.
Interested party meetings for this project have been scheduled. The intent of these meetings will be to review the proposed language draft that was compiled in 2022 to make sure we are ready to move forward in the rulemaking process. Meetings will be conducted by facility type, and registration links can be found below:
• Adult Family Homes Project 1 meeting will be held on April 16, 2025 from 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Please register here.
• Assisted Living Facilities Project 1 meeting will be held on April 30, 2025 from 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Please register here.
• Enhanced Services Facilities Project 1 meeting will be held on May 14, 2025 from 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Please register here.
• Nursing Homes Project 1 meeting will be held on May 28, 2025 from 1:30pm – 2:30pm. Please register here.
Thank you for your continued commitment to resident health and safety.
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Grimsley, Policy Program Manager, at (360)725- 2488, amy.grimsley@dshs.wa.gov, or rcspolicy@dshs.wa.gov.
Not a Member Yet?
Membership fees enable the Council to cover legal expenses and fund staff to advocate with the state and regulatory agencies. The participation of every adult family home is vital to ensuring fair regulations and rates that accurately reflect the costs of caring for our vulnerable adults. Consider becoming a member of the Council to help us continue improving conditions for all adult family homes in Washington State.