July 17, 2014
ALTSA: NH 2014-007
FINAL AMENDMENTS RELATED TO CHAPTER 388-97 WAC, NURSING HOMES
Dear Nursing Facility/Home Administrator:
In September 2013, Residential Care Services informed you about possible changes to the nursing home administrative rules (Chapter 388-97 Washington Administrative Code).
The amendments were necessary to comply with changes to state law made by the 2013 Legislature in Senate Bill (SB) 5077, Gender-Neutral terms; and SB 5510, Vulnerable Adults-Abuse. Public hearings on the proposed rules were held in January and February, 2014.
The department filed the final rule-making order (CR-103P) with the Office of the Code Reviser and it is published in the Washington State Register as WSR 14-12-040. The rules became effective on June 29, 2014.
You can access the CR-103P on this on the ALTSA website under the heading "NH Rule Filings" at: http://www.altsa.dshs.wa.gov/professional/nh.htm
When the final rule language is "codified" and merged in the existing WAC chapter, you will be able to read and print them out from the computer by visiting http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=388-97.
Thank you for your continued commitment to nursing home residents. If you have any questions, please contact your RCS Field Manager.
Sincerely,
Carl I. Walters II., Director
Residential Care Services