July 24, 2013_AFH "Dear Provider" Letters

July 24, 2013

ALTSA:  AFH #2013-013 
CR-101 FILED TO PROPOSE ADDING & AMENDING SECTIONS 
TO CHAPTER 388-76 WAC

Dear Adult Family Home Provider:

The department is considering adding and amending sections to Chapter 388-76 of the Washington Administrative Code. The enclosed CR-101 (WSR 13-15-110) was recently filed with the Office of the Code Reviser.

The CR-101 document can also be found on the Aging and Long-Term Support Administration (ALTSA) internet website under "AFH Rule Filings" at: http://www.adsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/afh.htm

The department's purpose in filing the CR-101 is to add and amend sections to Chapter 388-76 WAC to comply and be consistent with newly passed state laws: Substitute House Bill 1629 Home care aides—Credentialing and continuing education; Engrossed House Bill 1677 Adult family homes—Multiple facility operators; Substitute House Bill 1686 K-12 schools—High school equivalency certificates; Substitute Senate Bill 5077 Statutes—Gender-neutral terms; Senate Bill 5510 Vulnerable adults—Abuse; Substitute Senate Bill 5630 Vulnerable adults—Adult family homes; and to change references to "boarding home" to "assisted living facility", in accordance with RCW 18.20.020.

Highlights of the intended changes include the following:

  • Extends timeframes and establishes a provisional certificate for home care aide certification;
  • Exempts registered nurses and licensed practical nurses from continuing education requirements applicable to long-term care workers;
  • Removes the twelve-month waiting period for providers of multiple adult family homes to apply for licensure of additional homes due to change of ownership;
  • Changes several terms, to include ombudsmandevelopmentally disabledmentally ill, and boarding home; and
  • Changes the definition of neglect.

Please check the ALTSA website often as we will be posting draft language for review and comment before filing the CR-102.  For rule making questions, please contact Sandy Robertson, Adult Family Home Policy Program Manager, (360) 725-3204.

Sincerely,

E. Irene Owens, Interim Director
Residential Care Services

Enclosure:  CR 101 (WSR 13-15-110)