Behavioral Health Professions, Facilities and Agencies Rules in Progress

Rulemaking is the process the Department of Health uses when proposing to create, change, or delete rules in order to protect public health. To learn more, see the department’s “What is Rule Making?” webpage.

To get updates about rule-making projects and other topics, subscribe to GovDelivery.

Topic – 23-hour Crisis Relief Centers 

In order to implement Second Substitute Senate Bill (2SSB) 5120 (PDF), the Department of Health filed a CR-101 (PDF) to consider updating the Behavioral Health Agency (BHA) Licensing and Certification Requirements in chapter 246-341 WAC to develop standards for licensure and certification of 23-hour crisis relief centers, a new type of behavioral health service that will provide mental health and substance use crisis response to adults. 

The following is regarding upcoming rulemaking workshops:

• The first workshop will be held August 1 from noon to 2 p.m. and will occur every Tuesday as needed (anticipating five weeks). 
• For those who are unable to attend the Tuesday workshops, we will hold “review” meetings each Thursday evening following the workshops. 

More workshop details including materials and registration information will be shared via GovDelivery. To be notified of meetings and information related to this process, subscribe to GovDelivery. Enter your email address and select Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA) and Behavioral Health Care Integration.

Kick-off Meeting Notes and Materials

• Meeting notes (PDF)
• Presentation slides (PDF)
• 2SSB 5120
• Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) model 

Workshop #1: August 8, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: August 10, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Initial Draft Language
• Meeting Notes (PDF)
• Meeting Slides (PDF)

Workshop #2: August 8, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: August 10, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Meeting Notes (PDF)
• Meeting Slides (PDF)
• Register for the workshop
• Register for the review meeting

Workshop #3: August 15, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: August 17, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Meeting Notes (PDF)
• Meeting Slides (PDF)
• Register for the workshop
• Register for the review meeting

Workshop #4: August 21, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: August 24, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Meeting Notes (PDF)
• Meeting Slides (PDF)
• Register for the workshop
• Register for the review meeting

Workshop #5: August 29, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: August 31, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Meeting Notes (PDF)
• Meeting Slides (PDF)
• Register for the workshop
• Register for the review meeting

Workshop #6: September 5, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: September 7, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF)

Workshop #6: September 5, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: September 7, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF) 
• Meeting Notes (PDF)
• Meeting Slides (PDF)
• Register for the workshop
• Register for the review meeting

Workshop #7: September 19, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: September 21, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Meeting  Notes (PDF)
• Meeting Slides (PDF)
• Meeting draft language (PDF)
• Register for the next workshop
• Register for the review meeting

Workshop #8: October 3, Noon to 2 p.m. and Review Meeting: October 5, 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. 

• Agenda (PDF)

Topic – Opioid Treatment Program (OTP) Licensing and Certification

The Department of Health filed a CR-101 (PDF) to consider amending the Behavioral Health Agency (BHA) Licensing and Certification Requirements related to OTPs in chapter 246-341 WAC to address general cleanup, clarify regulations, remove duplicate requirements, align with federal certification and treatment standards, and implement Second Engrossed Second Substitute (2E2SSB) 5536 (PDF) as it relates to adopting rules for fixed-site medication units to be established as part of a licensed OTP.

Rule-making workshops will be held beginning in late September into October. Workshop details including materials and registration information will be posted to this webpage and shared via GovDelivery. To be notified of meetings and information related to this process, subscribe to GovDelivery. Enter your email address and then under Health Systems Quality Assurance (HSQA), select Opioid Treatment Programs and Behavioral Health Care Integration. 

Workshop Information

Workshop #1: September 26, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

• Agenda (PDF)
• Register for the workshop
• Meeting notes (PDF)
• Meeting slides (PDF)

Workshop #2: October 3, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

• Register for the workshop
• Agenda (PDF)

Workshop #3: October 18, 2023 from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Register for the workshop

Workshop #4: October 24, 2023 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

• Register for the workshop - if you register for workshop #4, you'll be registered for be registered for workshop #4 through #7

Topic – Modernize Behavioral Health Agency Licensing and Certification Requirements

Three-phase rule-making project to modernize behavioral health agency licensing and certification requirements in chapter 246-341 WAC.

Phase 2 Information

BHA Rule Making Guidance Documents

• Certification Crosswalk (PDF) – shows where previous certifications/services are now located
• Matrix of Changes (PDF) – summary of revisions by WAC section (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF) – questions and answers about BHA licensing and certification rule revisions 

CR-103 Documents

CR-103 (PDF) includes revised rule language, effective May 1, 2023.

• Post Adoption Notice (PDF) – includes a summary of comments received during the public comment period and the department’s responses.
• Final Significant Legislative Rule Analysis (PDF) – includes summary of proposed rule changes and financial impact information.
• Revised BHA licensing and certification requirements (PDF) – effective May 1, 2023

Phase 3 Information

Information coming soon.