Adoptions

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: The insurance commissioner is adopting consolidated health care rules due to the recent passage of insurance related legislation. Currently, multiple provisions of health care and insurance regulations in WAC need updated by the office of the insurance commissioner (OIC) to be consistent with enacted legislation codified in RCW. These rules will facilitate implementation of the legislation by ensuring that all affected health care and insurance e

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: Health equity continuing education (CE) training for physician assistants and allopathic physicians. The Washington medical commission (commission) is adopting new WAC 246-918-195 and 246-919-445 to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021). The commission has adopted the health equity model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, for physician assistants and allopathic physicians to comply with RCW 43.70.613 . RCW 43.70.613 (3)(b) direct

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: Health equity continuing education (CE) for sex offender treatment providers (SOTP). The department of health (department) is adopting amendments to WAC 246-930-410 Continuing education requirements to establish health equity CE requirements and implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021). The adopted rule does not change the total CE hours required for SOTPs. It requires two hours in health equity CE every four years, which is absorbed into

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: The health care authority (HCA) is reviewing these rules and amending them as needed to comply with the CURES Act of 2016; P.L. 114-255, which implements the electronic visit verification requirement for home health care service claims to be paid. In addition, HCA is amending chapter 182-551 WAC to update the rules to be consistent with the other rules for administration of the medicaid program. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: ESSB 5761 passed during the 2022 legislative session, chapter 242, Laws of 2022, with an effective date of January 1, 2023. The bill amends RCW 49.58.110 , to state an employer must disclose the wage scale and salary range, and provide a general description of all the benefits or other compensation in each posting for a job opening. ESSB 5761 also states upon request of an employee who is offered an internal transfer to a new position or promotio

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: ESSB [E2SHB] 1320 passed during the 2021 legislative session, chapter 215, Laws of 2021. The act modernized, harmonized, and improved the efficacy and accessibility of laws concerning civil protection orders. In part, the act repealed chapter 26.50 RCW, Domestic violence prevention, and amended RCW 46.76.020 Domestic violence leave, to define dating relationship in accordance with RCW 7.105.010 . The amendment to WAC 357-01-172 Definition family

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: The amendments to WAC 357-28-082, 357-28-084, 357-28-086, 357-28-088, 357-28-120, 357-28-135, and 357-28-155 are to clarify certain scenarios based on questions received from stakeholders since inception of step M. On July 1, 2013, new rules were adopted to implement a new step M that was provided in the 2013-2015 operating budget. Step M was originally implemented as a longevity step to allow employees who have been at the top step (step L) in t

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: The amendment to WAC 357-28-265 is to align Washington state department of labor and industries guidance that if an employer requires employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, the time associated with receiving the vaccine must be considered hours worked and overtime must be paid under the Washington State Minimum Wage Act. The amendment to WAC 357-31-027 adds subsection (8) to require that a higher education employer must allow a part-time high-r

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: Chapter 148, Laws of 2023 (ESHB 1361) passed during the 2023 legislative session with an effective date of July 23, 2023. Section 3 of this bill amends RCW 41.06.070 Exemptions to chapter — Right of reversion, to add subsection (6), which suspends a person's right to reversion during the pendency of a workplace investigation if the allegations being investigated could result in a finding of gross misconduct or malfeasance. The amendments align Ti

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule lowers the minimum eligibility age for community support services from age 18 to age 16. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 182-559-300. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 41.05.021 , 41.05.160 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-21-068 on October 12, 2023. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0,

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: This repeal of this rule is necessary because the training course required in the rule no longer meets the intended purpose. The subject matter of this training is covered in adult family home (AFH) administrator training, which is required for AFH license applicants who have not already completed it. Currently, AFH license applicants must provide evidence of the orientation course with their license application. Timely registration and completio

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department is adopting amendments to WAC 388-474-0012 What is the state supplemental payment and who can get it? and 388-478-0055 How much do I get from my state supplemental payments (SSP)? These amendments provide clarity regarding the state supplemental payment (SSP) standard rate for individuals receiving care in a medical institution or residential setting. The SSP rate is based off the Washington state institutional persona

Effective Date of Rule: February 1, 2024. Purpose: The department is adopting amendments to WAC 388-418-0005 How will I know what changes to report?, 388-470-0005 How do resources affect my eligibility for cash assistance and basic food?, 388-470-0045 How do my resources count toward the resource limits for cash assistance?, and 388-470-0070 How vehicles are counted toward the resource limit for cash assistance. Effective February 1, 2024, these amendments will expand resource exemptions for com

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The purpose of the amendments to WAC 220-200-100 and 220-610-010 is to reclassify the Western gray squirrel from threatened to endangered. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 220-200-100 and 220-610-010. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.013 , 77.04.055 , 77.12.020 , and 77.12.047 . Other Authority: RCW 77.04.012 , 77.04.013 , 77.04.055 , 77.12.020 , and 77.12.047 . Adopted under notice filed

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of licensing (DOL) is removing the requirement for DOL to provide the names and addresses of current vehicle owners of record. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-56A-210 Ownership in doubt — Bonded title or three-year registration without title. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.12.635 Disclosure of names and addresses of individual vehicle and vessel owners — Vehicle and vessel informati

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Amending the current definitions related to commercial driver's license (CDL) holders to decrease regulatory barriers to obtaining a CDL per a petition from the Washington Trucking Association, as well as implementation pursuant to HB 1058 passed during the 2023 legislative session. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 308-100-034 Demonstrated proficiency and 308-100-045 Reinstatement of a CDL after disqualification, can

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: The Washington state noxious weed list provides the basis for noxious weed control efforts for county noxious weed control boards and other entities. It also provides guidelines for the state noxious weed control board. This proposal updates the noxious weed list, adds a section regarding the Washington state noxious weed control board (NWCB) bylaws outlining the definition of conflict of interest and procedures for board members to follow, and u

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Health equity continuing education (CE) for licensed practical nurses (LPN) and registered nurses (RN) licensed in WAC 246-840-220 and 246-840-222. The Washington state board of nursing (board) is adopting an amendment to WAC 246-915-085 to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021). The board is adopting a new section of rule and revisions to existing rule in order to establish health equity CE requirements to comply with RCW 4

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: RCW 47.28.070 authorizes the department to receive a questionnaire and financial statement prior to authorizing a proposal to a bidder. This process of obtaining information to determine that the bidder is qualified is referred to as "prequalification" and follows the process outlined in chapter 468-16 WAC. Due to process changes associated with working from home, the WAC needs to be revised to allow for electronic transmittal of per

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: This rule making adds a new part (R-1 — Surgical Smoke) to chapter 296-62 WAC, General occupational health standards. The new part is necessary for the department of labor and industries (L&I) to implement and enforce SHB 1779, passed by the Washington state legislature in 2022 (codified as RCW 49.17.500 ), which becomes effective January 1, 2024. SHB 1779 requires employers in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt and adhere to poli

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: WAC 468-38-435 Federal weight increases on the interstate system; the purpose for this rule change is to allow for consistency with the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act). Changes to subsection (1) add language to include electric powered vehicles and the changes in subsection (3) of the proposal are to treat fluid milk products as nondivisible loads and provides the permit parameters when operating under a permit

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: WAC 220-412-090 Multi-season deer and elk tags. This rule change created a special subset of multi-season deer tags that will be available only to those hunters who are eligible to participate in the Washington department of fish and wildlife's (WDFW's) chronic wasting disease incentive program (CWDIP). The changes to WAC 220-412-090 create 100 multi-season deer tags which serve as an incentive to hunters to participate in the WDFW c

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: Classification development's goal is to implement clear rule writing to ensure staff and customers can easily understand and apply the workers' compensation insurance classification and reporting rules. Classification development studied some subclassifications for potential reduction in number and reviewed classification and reporting rules for improvement and clarification. The purpose of this rule making is not to make substantive changes to h

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: Health equity continuing education (CE) for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers under chapter 246-809 WAC, Licensure for mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers. The department is adopting amendments to WAC 246-809-095, 246-809-110, 246-809-130, 246-809-210, 246-809-310, 246-809-320, 246-809-330, 246-809-610, 246-809-630, 246-809-632, 246-809-650, and 246-809-730. These

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department is amending WAC 308-56A-275 and 308-93-470 to clarify the certification process and eliminate outdated references to "operator numbers." Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-56A-275 Certification of signature. Who may certify signatures? and 308-93-470 Certification of signatures. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 46.01.110 Rule-making authority and 88.02.320 Department — Powers and duties. Ad

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: This rule making is necessary to amend current rules in accordance with the department's 2022 legislative report on transportation network companies and to integrate transportation network companies and their drivers into the unemployment insurance system as set forth in SHB 1570 (2023). Transportation network companies are required to submit quarterly reports to the department that include the total hours worked by each driver, in a

Effective Date of Rule: December 21, 2023. Purpose: Create a more efficient process of registration and renewal for health care benefit manager registration, as well as improve transparency with the disclosure of any federal or state violations. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 284-180-210, 284-180-220, 284-180-230, and 284-180-240. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 48.02.060 , 48.200.280 (6), 34.05.485 (1)(c), 48.02.100 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-20-121 on

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Health equity continuing education (CE) training for orthotists and prosthetists. WAC 246-850-140 Continuing competency requirements for orthotists and prosthetists. The department of health (department) is amending WAC 246-850-140 to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021). The department has adopted health equity model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, for orthotists and prosthetists to comply with RCW 43.70.613 . R

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: The department is adopting amendments to WAC 388-408-0035 Who is in my assistance unit for basic food?, 388-450-0140 How does the income of an ineligible assistance unit member affect my eligibility and benefits for basic food?, 388-489-0005 Who is eligible for transitional food assistance?, and 388-489-0010 How is my transitional food assistance benefit calculated? Effective January 1, 2024, these changes implement SHB 5785 (chapter 98, Laws of

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department is adopting amendments to WAC 388-412-0040 Can I get my benefits replaced? These amendments are necessary to implement Section 501 of the 2023 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which allows replacement of stolen food benefits for households who are victims of skimming, cloning, or similar fraudulent methods of EBT theft. These amendments are currently in place under emergency rule filed as WSR 23-17-123. Citation of Rul

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department is amending these rules to incorporate 2020 legislation, SHB 2246. The purpose of this legislation was to reorganize laws related to environmental health without making any substantive policy changes; specifically, adding a new title to be codified as Title 70A RCW. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 458-20-195, 458-20-22801, 458-20-254, 458-20-261, and 458-20-272. Statutory Authority for Adoption:

Effective Date of Rule: March 15, 2024. Purpose: Reconciling state amendments with section renumbering and model code modifications in the 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code; correcting errors and omissions. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending six sections in chapter 51-56 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Other Authority: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-14-125 on July 5, 2023. Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to Ad

Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2024. Purpose: Reconciling state amendments with section renumbering and model code modifications in the 2021 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code; correcting errors and omissions. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending two sections in chapter 51-55 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Other Authority: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-14-124 on July 5, 2023. Changes Other than Editi

Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2024. Purpose: Reconciling state amendments with section renumbering and model code modifications in the 2021 International Fire Code; correcting errors and omissions. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending 33 sections in chapter 51-54A WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Other Authority: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-15-050 on July 13, 2023. Changes Other than Editing from Proposed to

Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2024. Purpose: Reconciling state amendments with section renumbering and model code modifications in the 2021 International Mechanical Code and International Fuel Gas Code; correcting errors and omissions. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending eight sections in chapter 51-52 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Other Authority: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-15-016 on July 7, 2023. Chan

Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2024. Purpose: Reconciling state amendments with section renumbering and model code modifications in the 2021 International Residential Code; correcting errors and omissions. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending 36 sections in chapter 51-51 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Other Authority: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-15-030 on July 10, 2023. Changes Other than Editing from Propo

Effective Date of Rule: March 16, 2024. Purpose: Reconciling state amendments with section renumbering and model code modifications in the 2021 International Building Code/2021 International Existing Building Code; correcting errors and omissions. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending 31 sections in chapter 51-50 WAC. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Other Authority: RCW 19.27.031 , 19.27.074 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-14-123 on July 5, 2023.

Effective Date of Rule: January 1, 2024. Purpose: The paid family and medical leave (PFML) program (Title 50A RCW) is adopting rule amendments to implement SSB 5286 (chapter 116, Laws of 2023) and SSB 5586 (chapter 375, Laws of 2023). SSB 5286 made changes to RCW 50A.10.030 regarding how the annual premium rate is calculated for employers and employees. SSB 5586 made changes to RCW 50A.25.040 that will allow employers to access information about current employees to include the type of leave bei

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Creating a new section under chapter 308-101 WAC to define business rules, guidelines, and the process for conducting administrative reviews of the petitioner's commercial driver's license disqualifications based on an adverse decision on the admin per se/implied consent hearing, per RCW 46.20.308 Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 308-101-230 Final orders. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 34.05.220 Rules for

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of children, youth, and families is amending these rules to increase child care center and licensed family home provider rates to the 85th percentile of the current market and increasing family friends and neighbor rates to $3.85 effective July 1, 2023, and delay implementation for another increase to $4.00 on July 1, 2024. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-15-0200, 110-15-0205, and 110-15-0240

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of children, youth, and families is amending this rule to increase the nonstandard hours bonus to $135 per the governor's 2023 budget. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-15-0249. Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050 . Other Authority: RCW 74.04.050 . Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-18-040 on August 30, 2023. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department of children, youth, and families is amending these rules to extend the homeless grace period and to open the care up to more providers. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 110-15-0023 and 110-15-0024. Statutory Authority for Adoption: Chapters 43.215 and 43.216 RCW. Adopted under notice filed as WSR 23-18-042 on August 30, 2023. Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The commissioner is adopting rules to amend current rules to align with SHB 1266 (chapter 27, Laws of 2023), which created a new section in chapter 48.02 RCW, and amended RCW 48.15.103 , 48.17.170 , 48.17.450 , and 48.17.475 . In doing so, it will clarify for insurance producers which address of record the commissioner will utilize when communicating with them. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 284-17-005 and 284

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Health equity continuing competency training for osteopathic physicians. New WAC 246-853-075 Health equity continuing education training requirements. The board of osteopathic medicine and surgery (board) is adopting new WAC 246-853-075, to implement ESSB 5229 (chapter 276, Laws of 2021), codified as RCW 43.70.613 . The board has adopted the health equity model rules, WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830, for osteopathic physicians to c

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: Naturopathic nonsurgical cosmetic rules, administration of Botox injections. Amending WAC 246-836-210 Authority to use, prescribe, dispense and order and new WAC 246-836-212 Botulinum toxin nonsurgical cosmetic procedures. The board of naturopathy (board) has adopted new rules that promote patient safety by identifying Botulinum Toxin (Botox) as a legend approved drug, clarifying procedures that are within the scope of practice of na

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The department is amending WAC 458-19-030 and 458-19-035 to incorporate 2023 legislation, HB 1303, and HB 1527. HB 1303 clarifies how the levy limit is calculated for taxing districts that have been consolidated. HB 1527 authorizes taxing districts that have been consolidated or annexed to include increases in assessed values due to the creation of certain tax increment finance areas. Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: Amendin

Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing. Purpose: The health care authority (HCA) is amending these rules to align with Section 11405 of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-169). This legislation requires states to cover adult vaccines recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. HCA is also adding clarity and providing more detail on program requirements for how fee-for-service drugs must be billed to HCA for providers subject to the 340b program requi