General Notices

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department) is rescinding policy statement OHSC DM-1.1 Standards for donor human milk. This statement was originally filed on December 22, 2022, as WSR 23-02-005. This policy statement provided guidance to donor milk banks and insurance carriers consistent with RCW 43.70.645 until the department adopted permanent rules. The policy statement served as the milk bank safety standards established by the department for inpatient use for the pu

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0012 Add Substance Use Disorder Professionals and Associates. Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0012 to add substance use disorder professionals (SUDPs) and mental health therapists/social workers licensed as associates to section 6.d Other Licensed Practitioners of the medicaid state plan. Currently, SUDPs may provide services only through behavioral health agencies

Prevailing Rate of Wage Publication Pursuant to RCW 39.12.015 , 39.12.020 , and WAC 296-127-011, on February 1, 2024, the industrial statistician will determine and publish on the internet the statewide prevailing rates of wage. These rates become effective 30 days from publication on March 2, 2024. This publication also includes updates to three trades as a result of a wage and hour survey: (1) Residential plumbers and pipefitters. (2) Residential refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics. (

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 (PCM) 24-001: Canada Joins the 2007 Hague Convention on Child Support. Subject: Canada Joins the 2007 Hague Convention on Child Support. Effective Date: January 25, 2024. Document Description: This

This memo serves as notice that the department of health (department), in consultation with the Washington state board of nursing (board), is rescinding an interpretive statement for WAC 246-840-4659, which was filed on December 21, 2018, and published as WSR 19-02-019. The department is rescinding this interpretive statement because a permanent rule has been adopted in its place. The board engaged in rule making to clarify the application of the advanced practice pain management rules in nursin

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Department of Revenue is Brenton Madison, Interpretations and Technical Advice Division, 6400 Linderson Way S.W., Tumwater, WA, P.O. Box 47453, Olympia, WA 98504-7453, phone 360-534-1583, email BrentonM@dor.wa.gov , fax 360-534-1606. Brenton Madison Senior Policy Manager Rules Coordinator

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Washington State Gambling Commission is Adam Amorine, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-486-3473, email rules.coordinator@wsgc.wa.gov . Tina Griffin Director

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0018 Income Limit Increase for the Medicare Savings Program for Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries. Effective Date: April 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0018 in order to increase the income limit for two of the medicare savings programs (MSPs), qualified medicare beneficiary (QMB), and qualified individual (QI-1). MSPs help with medicare copays, deductibles, and monthly premiums for qual

Washington's Underground Storage Tank (UST) Program: Tank Fee Increase in 2025 Washington's UST fees will increase on July 1, 2025, from $228.58 to $243.21 per tank. As required by law, the fiscal growth factor was used to determine the amount of fee increase. The fiscal growth factor is calculated and adopted by the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council using the average growth in state personal income for the previous 10 fiscal years. More information on the UST fee increase can be found on th

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 Administrative Policy 1.19: Discovery and Public Disclosure Requests in Litigation. Subject: AP 1.19. Effective Date: January 17, 2024. Document Description: This DCS administrative policy explains procedures regarding

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 Administrative Policy (AP) 1.01: Requesting Written Opinions from DCS's Assigned Assistant Attorney General. Subject: AP 1.01. Effective Date: January 17, 2024. Document Description: This DCS administrative policy expla

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer and records manager for the Office of Administrative Hearings is Shannon Goudy, P.O. Box 42488, Olympia, WA 98504-2488, phone 360-407-2700, fax 360-664-8721, email publicrecords@oah.wa.gov . Edward Pesik Chief Administrative Law Judge

NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION WASHINGTON ATTORNEY GENERAL The Washington attorney general routinely publishes notice of an opportunity to comment for opinion requests that we receive from the heads of state agencies, state legislators, and county prosecuting attorneys if we anticipate publishing a formal opinion in response to the request. We do so in order to provide members of the public with a chance to provide any legal analysis that they would like us to consider as we de

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0017 Updating the Mental Health Care Provider Description in the Rehabilitative Services Section 13.d. Effective Date: January 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0017 to amend the rehabilitative services, Section 13.d of the medicaid state plan to align the description of a mental health care provider with the department of health's (DOH) requirements for a registered agency affiliated cou

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0016 Agency Administration and Organization. Effective Date: February 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0016 in order to update information in the medicaid state plan regarding the organization and administration of the state medicaid agency, HCA. This is an administrative SPA and does not affect the agency's policies and practices. SPA 24-0016 is expected to have no effect on annual expe

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0015 Disproportionate Share Hospital Rate Update. Effective Date: February 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0015 to remove the public hospital disproportionate share hospital (PH-DSH) cost settlement process from the certified public expenditure (CPE) process. This process was included in the medicaid state plan before there was a federal requirement for DSH to be audited by outside enti

The University of Washington recently has created or revised the following bylaws, orders, policy statements, scholastic regulations, and faculty code: • "University Organization Chart," revised January 8, 2024 (APS 1.1). • "University Leadership List," revised January 8, 2024 (APS 1.2). • "Advisory Committees and Boards of the Board of Regents," revised September 14, 2023 (BRG, Standing Orders, Chapter 4, Subsection 1.B.1). • "Compliance with Education Department Sexual Harassment Regulations,"

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 November 27, 2023, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Claire Davis, relating to the Fish and Wildlife Commission's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 220-440-080 (Killing Wolves Attacking Domestic Animals) . The Governor's Office accepted the appeal on January 12, 2024, and directed the agency to initiate new rulemaking relating t

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment Fund is Jennifer Puttuck, P.O. Box 429, Bothell, WA 98041, 206-687-5348, jennifer@wacarefund.org. Jennifer Puttuck Administrative Manager

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 November 27, 2023, the Governor's Office received an appeal from Claire Davis, relating to the Fish and Wildlife Commission's denial of a petition to amend or repeal WAC 220-440-080 (Killing Wolves Attacking Domestic Animals) . date : December 4, 2023 DATE REVISED: January 10, 2024 Kathryn Leathers General Counsel to the Governor

Notice of Adoption of Uniform Money Services Act Policy Statement No. UMSA-24-PS01 — Disclosure Requirements for Virtual Currency Kiosks On January 10, 2024, the department of financial institutions, division of consumer services adopted Uniform Money Services Act Policy Statement No. UMSA-24-PS01 — Disclosure Requirements for Virtual Currency Kiosks. This policy statement clarifies that prior to initiating a transaction, virtual currency kiosk operators must provide consumers with a separate cl

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Washington State Gambling Commission is Damon Mentzer, P.O. Box 42400, Olympia, WA 98504-2400, phone 360-486-3455, email rules.coordinator@wsgc.wa.gov . Lisa C. McLean Legislative and Policy Manager

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges is Sam Herriot, 1300 Quince Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98504, 360-704-1019, sherriot@sbctc.edu . Paul Francis Executive Director

2023 QUARTERLY REPORT ON RULE-MAKING ACTIVITIES Petitions Received The following information is being sent in order to implement RCW 1.08.112 (1)(g) and WAC 1-21-180. The Washington state department of agriculture received five petitions for rule making during the third quarter of 2023. Date Requestor Subject 1ST QUARTER (JANUARY THROUGH MARCH) None 2ND QUARTER (APRIL THROUGH JUNE) 4/3/2023 Patricia Dunn Adding Impatiens capensis to the quarantine list in chapter 16-752 WAC. 4/27/2023 Kristi Par

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for Bellevue College is Megan Balka, 3000 Landerholm Circle S.E., Bellevue, WA 98007, phone 425-564-2477, fax 425-564-4187, recordsofficer@bellevuecollege.edu . David May, Ph.D. President

PUBLIC NOTICE Announcing the Draft Winery General Permit and Fact Sheet for Review and Comment The Washington state department of ecology (ecology) proposes to reissue the winery state waste discharge general permit (permit). The current permit was issued in July 2019 and will expire July 1, 2024 . The revised draft permit and fact sheet, which explains the legal and technical basis for the permit, are available with any associated documents for review and public comment from January 18, 2024, t

Purpose: In accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, RCW 34.05.230 , the department of ecology submits the following notice that the policy below is now available: Policy Title: Interim Policy for Prepreg Waste. Pub. #18-04-029. Subject: This policy gives an alternative regulatory option to the requirements of chapter 173-303 WAC, Dangerous waste regulations, for generators of dangerous waste prepreg materials. The policy provides a practical waste management system which is equally pro

INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT ISSUED The department of revenue (department) has issued the following excise tax advisory (ETA): ETA 3240.2024 Working Families Tax Credit - Annual Updates . RCW 82.08.0206 requires the department to annually adjust the working families tax credit (WFTC) refund amounts for inflation and the percentage rate of WFTC refund reductions for those above the reduced federal income threshold. This ETA provides these annual updates for the WFTC refund program. A copy of this docum

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Puget Sound Partnership is Colleen Carbery, P.O. Box 40900, Olympia, WA 98504, phone 360-827-0768, email colleen.carbery@psp.wa.gov . Laura Blackmore Executive Director

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0008 Remove Duplicate Pharmacy Information. Effective Date: January 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0008 as a "housekeeping" action to remove duplicate pharmacy-related information that was included in recently approved SPA 23-0050 in Supplement A to Attachment 4.19-B, but not removed from Attachment 4.19-B pages 9 and 10 at the time SPA 23-0050 was submitted. SPA 24-0008 will eliminate

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT Title of Interpretive Statement: Health Equity Continuing Education (CE) for Dental Hygienists. Interpretive Statement: HSQA OHP DH2301. Issuing Entity: Department of health, dental hygiene program. Subject Matter: Health equity CE requirements for dental hygienists under chapter 246-815 WAC. Training requirements in WAC 246-12-800 through WAC 246-12-830 will apply to a dental hygiene licensee starting January 1, 2024. Effective Date: January 1, 2024.

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT Title of Interpretive Statement: Health Equity Continuing Education (CE) for Licensed Behavior Analysts (LBA) and Licensed Assistant Behavior Analysts (LABA). Policy Number: ABA 23-01 . Issuing Entity: Department of health. Subject Matter: Health equity CE requirements for LBAs and LABAs under chapter 246-805 WAC. Training requirements in WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830 will apply to an LBA and LABA licensee starting January 1, 2024. Effective Date:

NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF INTERPRETIVE STATEMENT Title of Interpretive Statement: Health Equity Continuing Education (CE) for Midwives. Interpretive Statement: HSQA OHP MW01. Issuing Entity: Washington state department of health, midwifery program. Subject Matter: Health equity CE requirements for licensed midwives under chapter 246-834 WAC. Training requirements in WAC 246-12-800 through 246-12-830 will apply to a midwife licensee starting January 1, 2024. Effective Date: January 1, 2024. Contact P

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Washington State Department of Services for the Blind is Nohemy Solórzano-Thompson, P.O. Box 40933, Olympia, WA 98504-0933, phone 360-725-3836, fax 360-407-0679, email nohemy.solorzano-thompson@dsb.wa.gov . Yvonne Verbraak Executive Assistant

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Washington State House of Representatives should be updated as Tiffany Scoggin, 131 Legislative Building, P.O. Box 40600, Olympia, WA 98504-0600, phone 360-786-0926, email House.PublicRecords@leg.wa.gov . Bernard Dean Chief Clerk House of Representatives

Technical Assistance Advisory 2023-04 1 TO: Health carriers that offer health plans, as defined in RCW 48.43.005 . FROM: Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler. DATE: December 20, 2023. SUBJECT: Implementation of E2SHB 1357 in the matter of modernizing the prior authorization process. The office of the insurance commissioner (OIC) is issuing this technical assistance advisory (TAA) to provide guidance concerning the new requirements adopted in RCW 48.43.830 for health carriers that utilize prior a

NOTICE Subject: Supplemental Notice for Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0002 to Add Community Behavioral Health Support Services (CBHS). Effective Date: July 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) previously filed notice under WSR 23-23-149 of the intent to submit three SPAs (24-0001, 24-0002, and 24-0003) and a 1915(i) waiver amendment to add community behavioral health support (CBHS) services. CBHS services will include two services intended to better support the needs of

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: Canary Notice (CN) 314: Changes to the Employer Noncompliance Process. Subject: CN-314. Effective Date: December 15, 2023. Document Description: This CN explains how staff address employer noncompliance with child support.

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Washington State Department of Financial Institutions is Jeanette Baluyut, 150 Israel Road S.W., Tumwater, WA 98501, phone 360-902-8764, fax 360-596-3881, email jeanette.baluyut@dfi.wa.gov . Jeanette Baluyut Executive Assistant

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , Joyce Brake will be the new policy and rules manager for the office of the insurance commissioner with the policy and legislative affairs division. Ms. Brake will be replacing Ariele Page Landstrom. Contact Joyce Brake, Policy and Rules Manager, Policy and Legislative Affairs, email joyce.brake@oic.wa.gov, phone 360-725-7041, P.O. Box 40255, Olympia, WA 98504-0255. Mike Kreidler Insurance Commissioner

On December 20, 2023, the Washington state department of ecology (ecology) released for public comment the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) on its proposed aqueous film foaming [forming] foam (AFFF) collection, transport, and disposal program. The comment period runs through February 5, 2024. AFFF contains per and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). PFAS are a group of thousands of chemicals used to make fluoropolymer coatings and products that res

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0004 Psychiatric Per Diem Rates. Effective Date: January 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit SPA 24-0004 to update the rates and methodology for short term psychiatric per diem rates and updating outdated references and methodologies no longer in use. SPA 24-0004 is expected to increase the annual aggregate payment for psychiatric per diem rates at community hospitals that provide psychiatric inpa

Pursuant to RCW 34.05.312 , the rules coordinator for the Office of Independent Investigations is Joanna Carns, 128 10th Avenue S.W., Olympia, WA 98501. Annette Taylor Legislative Director

Pursuant to RCW 42.56.580 , the public records officer for the Washington State School for the Blind is Janet Kurz, 2214 East 13th Street, Vancouver, WA 98661, phone 360-947-3302, fax 360-737-2120, email janet.kurz@wssb.wa.gov . Scott McCallum Superintendent

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 23-0014 Oral Health Connections Pilot Ending December 31, 2023. Effective Date: December 31, 2023. Description: The health care authority previously filed notices under WSR 23-06-013 and 23-13-082 regarding the oral health connections pilot project in Cowlitz, Spokane, and Thurston counties, which was added to the medicaid state plan via alternate benefit plan (ABP) SPA 23-0014. This dental pilot is ending December 31, 2023. All benefi

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 23-0051 Managed Care Updates - Supplemental Notice. Effective Date: January 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) filed notice under WSR 23-22-128 of the intent to submit SPA 23-0051 to incorporate changes that were inadvertently left out of the managed care section that reflect the changes made to the rehabilitative services section of the medicaid state plan, recently approved through SPA 23-0010. Changes made to this

NOTICE Title or Subject: Medicaid State Plan Amendment (SPA) 24-0010. Effective Date: January 1, 2024. Description: The health care authority (HCA) intends to submit medicaid SPA 24-0010 in order to remove the requirement for HCA to audit medicare cost reports used for medicaid rate setting. These audits are the responsibility of the centers for medicare and medicaid services. SPA 24-0010 is expected to have no effect on the annual aggregate reimbursement for hospitals. A copy of SPA 24-0010 is