General Notices

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0037 Mental/Behavioral Health Rate Methodology Update. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority intends to submit SPA 24-0037 to clarify the payment methodology described in the medicaid state plan for mental/behavioral services. The SPA will add standard language regarding legislatively approved rate increases and update language around how rates are determined. These changes are for clarification purpos

Notice of Adoption of Consumer Loan Act, No. CLA-24-02 - Interim Guidance on SSB 6025 and Grace Period for Licensure and Enforcement of Unlicensed Activity On June 6, 2024, the department of financial institutions, division of consumer services adopted Consumer Loan Act, interim guidance, No. CLA-24-02, Interim Guidance on SSB 6025 and grace period for licensure and enforcement of unlicensed activity. This interim guidance provides information on the Consumer Loan Act and describes the changes t

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0011 Community First Choice Tribal Care Facilities Supplemental Notice. Effective Date: April 1, 2024. Description: In recognition of tribal sovereignty and state law, the health care authority (HCA) and the department of social and health services (DSHS) intend to submit SPA 24-0011 to incorporate tribal care facilities as medicaid providers of the community first choice (CFC) program. HCA and DSHS previously filed two notices of t

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0036 Rate Methodology Updates. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0036 to add standard language regarding legislatively approved rate increases and, where necessary, update language to clarify current practices, update the link for Washington's medicaid state plan, and make other clarifications. These changes are for clarification purposes only; the payment methodologi

Public Notice Announcing the safer products for Washington report to the Legislature on Designation of Priority Chemicals This notifies the public that the Washington state department of ecology (ecology) and the Washington state department of health (health) have designated priority chemicals and chemical classes for potential regulation in consumer products under the safer products for Washington program. Ecology began the second cycle of safer products for Washington by releasing a draft vers

Public Notice Announcing the safer products for Washington report to the Legislature on Regulatory Determinations for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Priority Consumer Products This notifies the public that the Washington state department of ecology (ecology), together with the department of health, published the safer products for Washington Cycle 1.5 Regulatory Determinations Report to the legislature on May 30, 2024. This report contains regulatory determinations for f

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for Everett Community College is Josh Ernst, 2000 Tower Street, Everett, WA 98201, phone 425-388-9229, fax 425-388-9228, email jernst@everettcc.edu . Joshua Ernst Vice President of Human Resources and Compliance

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing the Reissuance of the Municipal Stormwater General Permits The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the municipal stormwater general permits (permits) on Monday, July 1, 2024. The permits become effective on August 1, 2024, and expire on July 31, 2029. Purpose of the Permits: The permits address various legal requirements and responsibilities, and regulate the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality in Washington state. The municipal sto

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing the Reissuance of the Vessel Deconstruction General Permit The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the Vessel Deconstruction Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and state waste discharge general permit (permit) on June 20, 2024. The permit becomes effective on August 1, 2024, and expires on July 31, 2029. Purpose of the Permit: The permit addresses various legal requirements and responsibilities, as well as regulat

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services. Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support (DCS) Document Title: Policy Clarification Memo 24-003: Withholding from Blake Refunds. Subject: Withholding from Blake refunds. Effective Date: May 28, 2024. Document Description: In 2021, a Washington supreme court decision, State v. Blake , f

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On May 30, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Conner Edwards, relating to the Public Disclosure Commission's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 390-37-060 (1)(d) (Case Initiation and Resolution Procedures) . date : May 31, 2024 Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to the Governor

Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Public Hearing The Washington state department of commerce plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed Washington state model state plan for the 2025 LIHEAP program year. The hearing will be held on August 8, 2024, from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., via Microsoft Teams meeting, 1-564-999-2000, Meeting ID 234 673 143 511. Written testimony will be accepted up until 5:00 p.m. on September 8, 2024. All written testimony for the LIHEAP hearing should be sen

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0022 July 2024 Rate Updates. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0022 to update the fee schedule (rate) effective dates for several medicaid programs and services. This is a regular, budget-neutral update to keep rates and billing codes in alignment with the coding and coverage changes from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the state, and other sources, in

NOTICE OF ADOPTION INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT Title of Interpretive Statement: Methamphetamine Use in Transient Accommodations. EHS-01-2024. Issuing Entity: Department of health. Subject Matter: Advises local health officers how the department of health interprets chapter 64.44 RCW to apply when personal use of methamphetamine is suspected in transient accommodations. Effective Date: June 1, 2024. Contact Person: Todd Phillips, 360-236-3302, Todd.Phillips@doh.wa.gov .

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services. Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support (DCS) Document Title: DCS AP 2.06: Missing Negotiables. Subject: DCS AP 2.06. Effective Date: May 17, 2024. Document Description: This DCS administrative policy explains procedures for missing negotiables. To receive a copy of the interpretive o

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services. Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support Document Title: DCS AP 1.24: How the Division of Child Support (DCS) Pays Claims for DCS Liability. Subject: DCS AP 1.24. Effective Date: May 17, 2024. Document Description: This DCS administrative policy explains how DCS pays claims when DCS is

NOTICE Subject: New Freedom Waiver (WA.0443) Renewal. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The aging and long-term support administration (ALTSA) intends to submit an application for renewal of the New Freedom Waiver WA.0443. The renewal application, once approved, will allow the state to continue to provide new freedom waiver services to eligible persons. The new freedom waiver has been operating since 2005, and during waiver year 2024, it is authorized to serve up to 675 persons. The

NOTICE OF ADOPTION POLICY STATEMENT Title of Policy Statement: Enforcement of Opioid Treatment Program Rules in Chapter 246-341 WAC. Policy Number: CHS-04-08-24. Issuing Entity: Department of health (DOH). Subject Matter: DOH enforcement discretion of certain requirements in chapter 246-341 WAC applicable to opioid treatment program licensing and certification. Effective Date: April 2, 2024 . Contact Person: Michelle Weatherly, facilities program manager, Michelle.Weatherly@doh.wa.gov .

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On May 22, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Bill Osmunson, relating to the Washington State Board of Health's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 246-290-220 (Drinking Water Materials and Additives) . Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to the Governor

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0029 Per Diem Rates including SUPP Services in Non-Publicly Owned Hospitals. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0029 to add language to the medicaid state plan regarding reimbursement for per diem rates for nonpublicly owned hospitals. The added language will clarify that per diem rates may be increased for: Specific services or provider types as directed by the Washin

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0034 DRG Updates. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0034 to remove outdated payment methodology for diagnosis-related group (DRG) hospital payments, remove the reference to a specific version of the all patient refined diagnosis-related group (APR-DRG) classification software, replace references to "chemical" use with "substance" use, and add a definition for medicall

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0028 Doula Services. Effective Date: January 1, 2025. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0028 in order to implement SB [ESSB] 5950, which was passed in the 2024 legislative session. SB [ESSB] 5950 directs HCA to obtain approval for a SPA to implement doula services for apple health (medicaid) clients. SPA 24-0028 is expected to increase the annual aggregate expenditures/reimbursement/payment for do

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On May 16, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Katie Scheid, relating to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services' denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 388-106-1030(2) and WAC 388-106-0130 (6)(c). Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to the Governor

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0034 DRG Updates. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0034 to remove outdated payment methodology for diagnosis-related group hospital payments, remove the reference to a specific version of the all patient refined diagnosis-related group classification software, replace references to "chemical" use with "substance" use, and add a definition for medically necessary gend

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0032 Supplemental Graduate Medical Education Payments for Trauma. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0032 to update the reimbursement section of the medicaid state plan as follows: • Add information regarding supplemental graduate medical education (GME) payments that will be made to eligible in-state universities with medical centers classified as Level I Trauma Cente

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services (DSHS). Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support (DCS) Document Title: DCS Administrative Policy 5.06: Emergency Referral Cards - OBSOLETE . Subject: Emergency referral cards. Effective Date: April 26, 2024. Document Description: DCS administrative policy is now obsolete, as DCS defers

Interim Policy Statement Addressing Performance Measures and Goals, Targets, Performance Incentives, and Penalty Mechanisms The legislature directed the utilities and transportation commission (UTC), in section 1 of ESSB 5295, to conduct a proceeding to develop a policy statement addressing alternatives to traditional cost of service rate making, including performance-based measures or goals, targets, performance incentives, and penalty mechanisms. As directed by the legislature, on April 12, 20

Policy Statement Addressing the Federal Inflation Reduction Act and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act in Utility Planning On May 3, 2024, the Washington utilities and transportation commission (UTC) issued a policy statement providing its explicit preference for regulated energy companies to pursue all appropriate federal and state funding in their planning, procurement, and acquisition functions. A copy of the policy statement and associated materials may be obtained by accessing UTC's

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0031 Sole Community Hospital Rates. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0031 to reduce the sole community hospital rate multiplier to 1.25 as required under RCW 74.09.5225 (3)(a). The Washington state legislature authorized an increased multiplier for sole community hospitals meeting certain criteria starting on July 1, 2018, and expiring on June 30, 2024. SPA 24-0031 r

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0030 Free Standing Psychiatric Hospital Long-Term Civil Commitment Rate Enhancements. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0030 to remove specific dollar amounts for long-term civil commitment per diem rates and add language regarding per diem rate enhancements for Washington state free standing psychiatric hospitals that contract with HCA to provide services for long-te

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0025 Rehabilitation and Behavioral Health Services Rates Update. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0025 to update the language and payment methodology described in the medicaid state plan for consistency with recently approved SPA 23-0010, which updated the rehabilitative/behavioral health services section of the state plan regarding services provided in behavioral he

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Washington State Department of Transportation is Steve Larsen, P.O. Box 47418, Olympia, WA 98504-7418, phone 360-705-7738, fax 360-704-6367, email wac@wsdot.wa.gov . Sam Wilson, Director Business Support Services

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Washington Department of Natural Resources is Rochelle Goss, 1111 Washington Street S.E., P.O. Box 47015, Olympia, WA 98504-7015, phone 360-902-2117, fax 360-902-1789, email Rochelle.goss@dnr.wa.gov . Susanna Fenner, Director Office of Legal Affairs and Business Practices

NOTICE Title or Subject: Children's Health Insurance Program State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-1000. Effective Date: October 1, 2023 Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) SPA 24-1000 in order to document the state's compliance with the longstanding requirement to cover children's vaccines under current regulations at 42 C.F.R. §§ 457.410 (b)(2) and 457.520 (b)(4), which require states to cover age-appropriate vaccines in accordance

NOTICE Title or Subject: Children's Health Insurance Program State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-2000. Effective Date: January 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) SPA 24-2000 in order to demonstrate compliance with mandatory continuous eligibility (CE) under the Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023. Section 5112 of the CAA, 2023 amended section 1902 (e)(12) and added a new paragraph (K) in section 2107 (e)(1) of th

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0014 Alternative Benefit Plan Updates. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0014 to bring the alternative benefit plan (ABP) into alignment with the medicaid state plan. ABP is the plan by which Washington expanded medicaid coverage to people ages 19 through 64 with income at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level as allowed by the Affordable Care Act. ABPs ar

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the office of the secretary of state's public records officer is Bob Williamson, P.O. Box 40224, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-704-5220, fax 360-704-7834, publicrecords@sos.wa.gov . Amanda Doyle Chief of Staff

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT ISSUED The department of revenue (department) has issued the following excise tax advisory (ETA): ETA 3043.2024 - Low-Density Light and Power Utility Deduction The department has revised ETA 3043. This ETA explains the public utility tax deduction provided by RCW 82.16.053 to qualifying power and light businesses. RCW 82.16.053 requires the department to determine the state average electric power rate each year and inform taxpayers of this rate. This rate is used by power

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Washington State Gambling Commission is Jordan O'Connor, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, phone 360-252-9953, email Jordan.Oconnor@wsgc.wa.gov . Adam Amorine Legal Manager

Interpretive Statement PP-24-0001 WSDA Law and Rules and the Sale of E15 Motor Fuel in Washington State. On April 29, 2024, an interpretive statement was issued regarding the sale of E15 motor fuel in Washington state. The Washington state department of agriculture (department) provides this statement to clarify that when compliant with federal law and otherwise labeled and marketed properly, the sale of E15 motor fuel is not prohibited by current law administered by statute (chapter 19.112 RCW)

Notice of Interpretive or Policy Statement In accordance with RCW 34.05.230 (12), following is a list of policy and interpretive statements issued by the department of social and health services. Economic Services Administration Division of Child Support (DCS) Document Title: DCS AP 1.25: How Staff Obtain an Anti-Harassment Order. Subject: DCS AP 1.25. Effective Date: April 26, 2024. Document Description: This DCS administrative policy explains how a DCS employee obtains a protection order in th

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing the Draft Industrial Stormwater General Permit and Fact Sheet for Review and Comment The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the Industrial Stormwater National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System and state waste discharge general permit (permit). The current permit was last issued in November 2019 and is scheduled to expire December 31, 2024 . The revised draft permit and fact sheet, which explains the legal and technical basis for the

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing the Reissuance of the Aquatic Mosquito Control General Permit The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the Aquatic Mosquito Control National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) and state waste discharge general permit (permit) on May 21, 2024. The permit becomes effective on June 20, 2024, and expires on June 20, 2029. Purpose of the Permit: The permit addresses various legal requirements and responsibilities, and regulates the dischar

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing the Reissuance of the Winery General Permit The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) is reissuing the winery state waste discharge general permit (permit) on May 29, 2024. The permit becomes effective on July 1, 2024, and expires on June 30, 2029. Purpose of the Permit: The permit addresses various legal requirements and responsibilities, and regulates the discharge of pollutants to protect water quality in Washington state. The permit provides coverage for t

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On March 5, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Todd Myers and Patrick Hanks, relating to the State Building Code Council's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WSR 23-21-105 and WSR 23-21-106 . The Governor's Office denied the appeal on April 17, 2024. REVISED: April 25, 2024 DATE: April 17, 2024 Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to t

NOTICE OF APPEAL RCW 34.05.330 (3) Pursuant to RCW 34.05.330 (3), you are hereby notified for publication in the Washington State Register that: On March 11, 2024, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Matthew Hepner, relating to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries' denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 296-127-01344 (Laborers) . The Governor's Office denied the appeal on April 25, 2024. date : April 25, 2024 Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to the Governor

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding the policy statement Federal Rules Regarding Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids - Policy Number: BHS 01.22, which was filed December 22, 2022, and published in WSR 23-02-010. The department is rescinding this policy statement because the content was permanently incorporated into WAC 246-828-100 as published in WSR 24-01-087 on December 18, 2023. The policy statement is no longer needed. Individuals requiring informati