August 9, 2013_ALF "Dear Administrator" Letters

August 9, 2013

ALTSA: ALF #2013-016
CR-101 FILED to ADD/AMEND SECTIONS of CHAPTER 388-78A WAC

Dear Assisted Living Facility Administrator:

The department is considering adding and amending sections of Chapter 388-78A of the Washington Administrative Code (WAC).  The Aging and Long Term Support Administration (ALTSA) is consolidating various "Secretary's Lists" thus providing a uniform background check standard for all caregivers and to reduce the overall costs of processing background checks.

The enclosed CR-101 (WSR 13-15-174) document was recently filed with the Office of the Code Reviser to begin the rulemaking process.  The CR-101 document can also be found on the ALTSA internet website under "ALF Rule Filings" at: http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/alf.htm
Please check the ALTSA website to review draft language for review and comment before our filing the CR-102. 

Highlights of the changes under consideration to the consolidated Secretary's List may include:

  • The addition of new disqualifying crimes;
  • Clarification of disqualifying negative actions; and
  • The addition of the category of "Pending Crimes" that would disqualify a caregiver from having unsupervised access to a resident(s) pending the final outcome of a criminal matter on the Secretary's List. 

For rule making questions please contact Jeanette Childress, Assisted Living Facility Program Manager at (360) 725-2591.

Sincerely,

E. Irene Owens, Interim Director
Residential Care Services

Enclosure