Washington Administrative Code

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Allogeneic transfusion" means a blood transfusion where the donated blood comes from an individual other than the recipient.(2) "Autologous donation" means the infusio…

Starting July 1, 2017, any blood establishment collecting or distributing blood for the purpose of allogeneic transfusion in Washington state must be registered with the department in accordance with chapter 70.335 RCW. To be eligible for registration with the department, the blo…

A blood establishment is exempt from the requirements of this chapter if it meets one or more of the following:(1) Hospitals licensed under chapter 70.41 or 71.12 RCW unless the hospital collects blood directly from donors for the purpose of allogeneic transfusions.(2) Organizati…

Initial application procedure. To register with the department a blood establishment must:(1) Submit a completed application on forms provided by the department that are signed by the owner or authorized representative that includes all of the following:(a) The name, current and …

(1) The department will issue a renewal registration for a Washington state registered blood establishment when the owner or authorized representative of the blood establishment:(a) Submits a completed application provided by the department at least five working days prior to the…

(1) If there is a change in ownership of a Washington state registered blood establishment, the new owner must submit to the department within five working days of the change in ownership:(a) New blood establishment application packet per WAC 246-339-030; and(b) Any applicable fe…

A Washington state registered blood establishment will notify the department within fourteen days of a change in standing of its FDA license. The notification will include:(1) The name, email address, mailing address, and telephone number of the blood establishment.(2) A list of …

(1) The department will deny an initial or renewal application for registration if the applicant or Washington state registered blood establishment no longer holds a license issued by the FDA.(2) The department may suspend or revoke a registration of a Washington state registered…

(1) Registrations must be renewed every year from the date of issuance.(2) The following nonrefundable fees will be charged for registration:Fee TypeAmountInitial application fee$13,000.00 Annual renewal fee13,000.00 Late renewal fee300.00 Application fee - Change of ownership13,…

(1) This chapter establishes state minimum standards for licensed behavioral health agencies.(2) This chapter does not apply to state psychiatric hospitals as defined in chapter 72.23 RCW or facilities owned or operated by the department of veterans affairs or other agencies of t…

(1) A behavioral health agency licensed by the department must hold one or more of the following certifications:(a) Behavioral health information and assistance;(b) Behavioral health support;(c) Mental health peer respite;(d) Clubhouse;(e) Behavioral health outpatient interventio…

The definitions in this section and RCW 71.05.020, 71.24.025, and 71.34.020 apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "23-hour crisis relief center" has the same meaning as under RCW 71.24.025.(2) "Administrator" means the designated person r…

The department licenses behavioral health agencies and certifies them to provide behavioral health services. To obtain and maintain licensure and certification, an applicant shall meet the requirements of this chapter, applicable local and state rules, and applicable state and fe…

The department may grant an exemption or approve alternative means or methods of compliance from any part of this chapter so long as it does not violate an existing state or federal statute or regulation, or tribal law.(1) An agency can request an exemption or alternative means o…

(1) The department shall deem an agency or branch site as meeting state minimum standards for licensing and certification described in this chapter as a result of accreditation by a national accreditation organization that is recognized by and has a current agreement with the dep…

Each agency is subject to an initial on-site review and each agency that is not deemed in accordance with WAC 246-341-0310 is subject to routine, ongoing on-site reviews to determine if the agency is in compliance with the minimum licensure and certification standards.(1) The age…

(1) The department will deny issuing or renewing an agency's license or certification(s), place an agency on probation, or suspend, or revoke an agency's license or certification, for any of the following reasons:(a) The agency fails to meet applicable requirements in this chapte…

(1) A behavioral health agency may provide certified services at an off-site location or from a mobile unit under the existing behavioral health agency license.(2) For the purposes of this section:(a) "Off-site" means the provision of services by a licensed behavioral health agen…

(1) An agency must include payment of licensing and certification fees required under this chapter with the initial application, renewal application, or with requests for other services.(2) The department may refund one-half of the application fee if an application is withdrawn b…

(1) An Indian health care provider as defined in RCW 71.24.025 may attest to meeting state minimum standards for a licensed or certified behavioral health agency, as described by the definition of "licensed or certified behavioral health agency" in RCW 71.24.025.(2) A tribe that …

An agency may appeal a decision made by the department regarding agency licensure or certification, according to WAC 246-341-0335.[Statutory Authority: RCW 71.24.037, 71.05.560, 71.34.380, 18.205.160, 43.70.080(5), 41.05.750, 43.70.250, 74.09.520, and chapters 71.05, 71.12, 71.24…

A governing body is the entity with legal authority and responsibility for the operation of the behavioral health agency, to include its officers, board of directors or the trustees of a corporation or limited liability company. An agency's governing body is responsible for the c…

(1) The agency administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the agency's provision of certified behavioral health treatment services, including:(a) All administrative matters;(b) Individual care services; and(c) Meeting all applicable rules, policies, and ethical …

Each agency licensed by the department to provide any behavioral health service must develop, implement, and maintain policies and procedures that address all of the applicable licensing and certification requirements of this chapter including administrative and personnel policie…

Each behavioral health agency must:(1) Maintain a comprehensive individual service record system that includes policies and procedures that protect an individual's personal health information;(2) Ensure that the individual's personal health information is shared or released only …

A behavioral health agency must maintain a personnel record for each person employed by the agency. (1) The personnel record must contain all of the following:(a) A signed position description.(b) A signed and dated commitment to maintain patient (individual) confidentiality in a…

Each behavioral health agency must ensure that all of the following staff requirements are met:(1) All staff providing clinical services are appropriately credentialed for the services they provide, which may include a co-occurring disorder specialist enhancement.(2) All staff pr…

Each agency licensed by the department to provide any behavioral health service must ensure the following supervision requirements are met for trainees, interns, volunteers, and students:(1) Each trainee, intern, volunteer, and student with unsupervised access to individuals rece…

(1) Each behavioral health agency must protect and promote individual participant rights applicable to the services the agency is certified to provide in compliance with this chapter, and chapters 70.41, 71.05, 71.12, 71.24, and 71.34 RCW, as applicable.(2) Each agency must devel…

(1) Any person may submit a report to the department of an alleged violation of licensing and certification laws and rules.(2) Health care professionals credentialed by the department shall comply with the mandatory reporting requirements in chapters 18.130 RCW and 246-16 WAC.(3)…

A behavioral health agency is responsible for the components and documentation in an individual's individual service record content unless specified otherwise in certification or individual service requirements.(1) The individual service record must include:(a) Documentation the …

(1) Agencies certified for behavioral health information and assistance services provide information and assistance services that are considered nontreatment behavioral health services that support an individual who has a need for interventions related to behavioral health. Behav…

Crisis telephone support services are services provided as a means of first contact for an individual in crisis or need of assistance. These services may include de-escalation and referral.(1) A behavioral health agency providing crisis telephone support services must:(a) Have se…

Emergency service patrol services provide transport assistance to an intoxicated individual in a public place when a request has been received from police, merchants, or other persons. A behavioral health agency providing emergency service patrol services must:(1) Ensure the staf…

(1) Agencies certified for behavioral health support provide services to promote socialization, recovery, self-advocacy, development of natural supports, and maintenance of community living skills for individuals with a behavioral health diagnosis. Behavioral health support servi…

(1) Psychiatric medication monitoring services:(a) Include one-on-one cueing, observing, and encouraging an individual to take medication as prescribed;(b) Include reporting any pertinent information related to the individual's adherence to the medication back to the agency that …

Crisis support services are short-term (less than two weeks per episode) services that include face-to-face and other means of assistance with life skills training and understanding of medication effects on an individual.(1) An agency providing crisis support services must:(a) As…

Supported employment behavioral health services assist in job search, placement services, and training to help individuals find competitive jobs in their local communities.(1) A behavioral health agency that provides supported employment services must have knowledge of and provid…

Supportive housing behavioral health services support an individual's transition to community integrated housing and support the individual to be a successful tenant in a housing arrangement.(1) A behavioral health agency that provides supportive housing services must have knowle…

(1) Mental health peer respite facilities provide voluntary, holistic, trauma-informed, short-term, noncrisis, peer support services, in a home-like environment, which focus on recovery and wellness. These services are limited to individuals who are:(a) At least 18 years of age;(…

(1) A clubhouse is a community-based program that provides rehabilitation services.(2) The clubhouse may be peer-operated and must:(a) Be member-run with voluntary participation;(b) Be recovery-focused;(c) Focus on strengths, talents, and abilities of its members;(d) Have a clubh…

(1) Agencies certified for intervention, assessment and treatment services provide individualized intervention, assessment and treatment for mental health, substance use, or co-occurring disorders. Intervention, assessment and treatment services under this certification include s…

Psychiatric medication management services are a variety of activities related to prescribing and administering psychiatric medication, including monitoring an individual for side effects and changes as needed.(1) An agency providing psychiatric medication management services mus…

An agency providing treatment services for deferred prosecution under RCW 10.05.150 must:(1) Ensure that services include a minimum of 72 hours of treatment services within a maximum of 12 weeks, which consist of the following during the first four weeks of treatment:(a) At least…

Alcohol and drug information school services provide an educational program about substance use. These services are for an individual referred by a court or other jurisdiction(s) who may have been assessed and determined not to require treatment. An agency providing alcohol and d…

An agency serving individuals on a less restrictive alternative (LRA) or conditional release court order shall provide or monitor the provision of court-ordered services, including psychiatric, substance use disorder treatment, and medical components of community support services…

An agency providing certified substance use disorder counseling services to an individual convicted of driving under the influence or physical control under RCW 46.61.5056 must ensure treatment is completed as follows:(1) Treatment during the first 60 days must include:(a) Weekly…

Driving under the influence (DUI) assessment services, as defined in chapter 46.61 RCW, are provided to an individual to determine the individual's involvement with alcohol and other drugs and determine the appropriate course of care or referral.(1) An agency certified to provide…

(1) Agencies certified for outpatient behavioral health crisis services provide face-to-face and other means of services to stabilize an individual in crisis to prevent further deterioration, provide immediate treatment or intervention in the least restrictive environment at a lo…

(Effective until June 30, 2026)(1) General requirements: An agency certified for 23-hour crisis relief center services must:(a) Follow requirements for outpatient crisis services in WAC 246-341-0901;(b) Provide services to address mental health and substance use crisis issues whi…