2013 NH "Dear Administrator" Letters
December 30, 2013
ALTSA: NH #2013-024
FORMAL PHASE OF AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 388-97 WAC
Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:
In July 2013, the department filed a CR-101 to begin the rule adoption process to amend Chapter 388-97 Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Nursing Homes. Changes are being made to comply with changes to state law made by the 2013 Legislature in Senate Bill (SB) 5510 which changed the definition of "neglect" and SB 5077 which modified gender-specific terms to gender-neutral terms.
The department recently filed the CR-102, a more formal phase of the rule making process. The CR-102 (WSR 13-23-098), including proposed rule language, is available on the ALTSA website, NH professional page, at http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/nh.htm under the heading, "NH Rule Filings",
Due to the number of stakeholders and interested parties coupled with the challenges of scheduling during the holiday season, a CR-102 continuance (WSR-14-02-030) has been filed. The continuance allows for a second public hearing to occur in February.
You may either submit any comments in person at the public hearings listed below or in writing to the department's Rules and Policies Assistance Unit (RPAU). The formal hearings for the proposed rules are scheduled:
Dates: January 7, 2014 and February 4, 2014
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Location: Office Building 2 – Auditorium (January 7th)
Office Building 2 – Lookout Room (February 4th)
1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504
Public parking is at 11th and Jefferson. A map is available at: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/RPAU-OB-2directions.html or by calling (360) 664-6094.
You must submit written comments by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 4, 2014 to the following address or by e-mail to: DSHSRPAURulesCoordinator@dshs.wa.gov.
DSHS Rules Coordinator/RPAU
P.O. Box 45850
Olympia, WA 98504-5850
If you have questions about the proposed rules, please contact John Gaskell, Program Manager at (360) 725-3210 or e-mail at gaskejw@dshs.wa.gov.
Sincerely,
E. Irene Owens, Interim Director
Residential Care Services