Rules in Progress
The rules writing process is open to the public. The public is welcome to take part in helping us write rules. Rules are also known as regulations, Washington Administrative Code, or WAC. The rule-making process includes public notices and workshops, and usually a public hearing before a rule becomes final.
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Current rules in progress
Workshop Information
The department held the first set of workshops to review possible rulemaking recommendations as filed under WSR 24-10-011 (PDF). Future workshops will be scheduled to review draft language during summer 2024, and the department will continue to accept written feedback on these rule-making topics until September 1, 2024. Topics and materials for the June rule-making sessions are found below.
| Date and Time | Topic | Materials |
|---|---|---|
|
June 25, 2024 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and |
Education and CE Requirements | Presentation Slides: Education (PDF) |
|
June 26, 2024 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and |
Trainee Requirements | Presentation Slides: Trainee Requirements (PDF) |
|
June 27, 2024 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. |
Supervision, Approved Supervisors | Presentation Slides: Supervision (PDF) |
1. Emergency rules have been filed
The Department of Health (department) has filed WSR 24-12-078 (PDF) to amend the following Substance Use Disorder Professionals and Substance Use Disorder Professionals Trainees rules in WACs 246-811-010, 246-811-025, 246-811-030, 246-811-035, 246-811-045, 246-811-046, 246-811-048, 246-811-049, 246-811-060, 246-811-070, 246-811-220, 246-811-240, 246-811-260, 246-811-990, and creating WAC 246-811-310.
The department is adopting these emergency rules to reduce barriers to entering and remaining in the behavioral health workforce, to streamline the substance use disorder provider (SUDP) and trainee credentialing process, and to implement recent legislation. Legislation being implemented includes Second Substitute House Bill (2SHB) 1724, Engrossed Second Substitute House Bill (E2SHB) 2247, and Second Substitute Senate Bill (2SSB) 6228.
These emergency rules will streamline the credentialing process by: (1) allowing certain educational programs to meet the coursework requirements of WAC 246-811-030 without further department review; (2) removing the limit on trainee credential renewals; (3) removing the requirement for trainees to work in behavioral health agencies; (4) removing the seven-year cap on earned trainee experience; (5) lowering the experience requirements for approved supervisors; (6) removing the requirement that supervisors be on site with trainees after the first 50 hours of supervised experience; (7) reducing the minimum continuing education requirements for SUDPs; (8) implementing out of state substantial equivalency applicant criteria to align with RCW 18.130.077; and (9) temporarily reducing certification and renewal fees to $100 per year.
These emergency rules will be continued while permanent rulemaking is in progress under WSR 24-10-011 (PDF), filed April 18, 2024. Information about the permanent rulemaking process is below.
See the Emergency Rules WAC Chapter (PDF) for full details of immediate changes.