Residential Care Services (RCS) has issued a new Dear Provider letter (HCLA: AFH #2026-007, see attached) that highlights the February 12, 2026, adoption of new proposed rules that go into effect on March 15, 2026, to implement sections of SHB 1218, chapter 159, Laws of 2021.
The adopted changes require facilities to:
• Create and regularly maintain a resident roster and complete contact information and respond to requests from the long-term care ombuds within specified time frames.
• Post stop placement orders in a conspicuous place.
• Replace “his or her” with gender-neutral terms.
• Define “resident representative” (applied in this rule making to adult family homes, nursing homes, and enhanced services facilities, which do not currently have a statutory definition).
If you have any questions relating to compliance with the new requirements, please reach out to your membership services and regulatory support team at the AFHC.
