August 9, 2013
ALTSA: NH #2013-014
CR-101 FILED to ADD/AMEND SECTIONS of CHAPTER 388-97 WAC
Dear Nursing Home/Facility Administrator:
The department is considering adding and amending sections of Chapter 388-97 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 13-15-170) 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 "NH Rule Filings" at: http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/nh.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 Scott Bird, Nursing Home Program Manager at (360) 725-2581.
Sincerely,
E. Irene Owens, Interim Director
Residential Care Services
Enclosure