WSR 12-12-061 PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRIES
[ Filed June 5, 2012, 9:29 a.m. ] Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 296-31 WAC, Crime victims compensation mental health treatment rules and fees and chapter 296-33 WAC, Attendant services.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 7.68.030.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule making will amend eight and repeal nine rules under chapter 296-31 WAC. The purpose is to be consistent with SSB 5691 (chapter 346, Laws of 2011). The amendments will include the removal of references to Title 51 RCW and WACs being repealed, explain the impacts of the new benefit maximum, add clarity, and correct references to the billing guidelines. The amendments will also streamline the reporting process for mental health providers. The repealed WACs are repetitive with rules contained in chapter 296-30 WAC regarding provider responsibilities. The independent mental health or independent medical evaluations are no longer considered separate from regular medical exams and the rule under WAC 296-31-069 is redundant.
Chapter 296-33 WAC will be revised to improve quality of care and public safety to victims. It will also increase the efficiency of staff time and will eliminate the uncertainty of employer/employee relationships between the program and care providers.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Public hearing.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Cletus Nnanabu, Department of Labor and Industries, Crime Victims Compensation Program, P.O. Box 44520, Olympia, WA 98504-4520, phone (360) 902-5340, fax (360) 902-5333, Cletus.Nnanabu@lni.wa.gov. The public may also participate by commenting after amendments are proposed by providing written comments and/or testimony during the public hearing and comment process. A public hearing will be held after the proposal is filed.
June 5, 2012
Judy Schurke
Director
