RCW 74.15.255 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 255
RCW 74.15.255: Secure or semi-secure crisis residential centers and HOPE centers—Collaboration—Colocation—Requirement for licensing.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Within available funds appropriated for this purpose, the department shall contract for a continuum of short-term stabilization services pursuant to RCW 13.32A.030 and * 74.15.220 . The department shall collaborate with service providers in a manner that allows secure and semi-secure crisis residential centers and HOPE centers to be located in a geographically representative manner and to facilitate the coordination of services provided for youth by such programs. To achieve efficiencies and increase utilization, the department shall allow the colocation of these centers in the same building or structure, except that a youth may not be placed in a secure facility or the secure portion of a colocated facility except as specifically authorized by chapter 13.32A RCW. The department shall allow the colocation of these centers only if the entity operating the facility agrees to designate a particular number of beds to each type of center that is located within the building or structure. The beds so designated must be used only to serve the eligible youth in the program or center for which they are designated. (b) The department shall adopt rules to allow the licensing of colocated facilities that include any combination of secure or semi-secure crisis residential centers as defined in RCW 13.32A.030 , or HOPE centers as defined in RCW 74.15.020 . Such rules may provide for flexible payment structures, center specific licensing waivers, or other appropriate methods to increase utilization and provide flexibility, while continuing to meet the statutory goals of the programs. The rules shall provide that a condition of being licensed as a colocated facility is that the contracting entity must designate a particular number of beds in the colocated facility to each type of center that is located within the building or structure. The beds so designated must be used only to serve the eligible youth in the program or center for which they are designated. (2) The department shall require that to be licensed or continue to be licensed as a secure or semi-secure crisis residential center or HOPE center that the center has on staff, or otherwise has access to, a person who has been trained to work with the needs of sexually exploited children. For purposes of this subsection, "sexually exploited child" means that person as defined in **RCW 13.32A.030 (17).
RCW 74.66.060 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 66 / Section 060
RCW 74.66.060: Qui tam action—Attorney general authority.
Status: in_force

(1) If the attorney general proceeds with the qui tam action, the attorney general shall have the primary responsibility for prosecuting the action, and is not bound by an act of the relator. The relator has the right to continue as a party to the action, subject to the limitations set forth in subsection (2) of this section. (2)(a) The attorney general may move to dismiss the qui tam action notwithstanding the objections of the relator if the relator has been notified by the attorney general of the filing of the motion and the court has provided the relator with an opportunity for a hearing on the motion. (b) The attorney general may settle the action with the defendant notwithstanding the objections of the relator if the court determines, after a hearing, that the proposed settlement is fair, adequate, and reasonable under all the circumstances. Upon a showing of good cause, the hearing may be held in camera. (c) Upon a showing by the attorney general that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the relator would interfere with or unduly delay the attorney general's prosecution of the case, or would be repetitious, irrelevant, or for purposes of harassment, the court may, in its discretion, impose limitations on the relator's participation, such as: (i) Limiting the number of witnesses the relator may call; (ii) Limiting the length of the testimony of the witnesses; (iii) Limiting the relator's cross-examination of witnesses; or (iv) Otherwise limiting the participation by the relator in the litigation. (d) Upon a showing by the defendant that unrestricted participation during the course of the litigation by the relator would be for purposes of harassment or would cause the defendant undue burden or unnecessary expense, the court may limit the participation by the relator in the litigation. (3) If the attorney general elects not to proceed with the qui tam action, the relator has the right to conduct the action. If the attorney general so requests, the relator must serve on the attorney general copies of all pleadings filed in the action and shall supply copies of all deposition transcripts, at the attorney general's expense. When the relator proceeds with the action, the court, without limiting the status and rights of the relator, may nevertheless permit the attorney general to intervene at a later date upon a showing of good cause. (4) Whether or not the attorney general proceeds with the qui tam action, upon a showing by the attorney general that certain actions of discovery by the relator would interfere with the attorney general's investigation or prosecution of a criminal or civil matter arising out of the same facts, the court may stay such discovery for a period of not more than sixty days. The showing must be conducted in camera. The court may extend the sixty-day period upon a further showing in camera that the attorney general has pursued the criminal or civil investigation or proceedings with reasonable diligence and any proposed discovery in the civil action will interfere with the ongoing criminal or civil investigation or proceedings. (5) Notwithstanding RCW 74.66.050 , the attorney general may elect to pursue its claim through any alternate remedy available to the state, including any administrative proceeding to determine a civil money penalty. If any alternate remedy is pursued in another proceeding, the relator has the same rights in the proceeding as the relator would have had if the action had continued under this section. Any finding of fact or conclusion of law made in the other proceeding that has become final is conclusive on all parties to an action under this section. For purposes of this subsection, a finding or conclusion is final if it has been finally determined on appeal to the appropriate court of the state of Washington, if all time for filing the appeal with respect to the finding or conclusion has expired, or if the finding or conclusion is not subject to judicial review.
RCW 74.20.057 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 057
RCW 74.20.057: Adjudicative proceedings—Role of department.
Status: in_force

When the department appears or participates in an adjudicative proceeding under chapter 26.23 or 74.20A RCW it shall: (1) Act in furtherance of the state's financial interest in the matter; (2) Act in the best interests of the children of the state; (3) Facilitate the resolution of the controversy; and (4) Make independent recommendations to ensure the integrity and proper application of the law and process. In the proceedings the department does not act on behalf or as an agent or representative of an individual.
RCW 74.39A.351 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 351
RCW 74.39A.351: Advanced training.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall offer, directly or through contract, training opportunities sufficient for a long-term care worker to accumulate seventy hours of training within a reasonable time period. For individual providers represented by an exclusive bargaining representative, the training opportunities shall be offered through the training partnership established under RCW 74.39A.360 . (2) Training topics offered under this section shall include, but are not limited to: Client rights; personal care; mental illness; dementia; developmental disabilities; depression; medication assistance; advanced communication skills; positive client behavior support; developing or improving client-centered activities; dealing with wandering or aggressive client behaviors; medical conditions; nurse delegation core training; peer mentor training; and advocacy for quality care training. (3) The department may not require long-term care workers to obtain the training described in this section.
RCW 74.18.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 010
RCW 74.18.010: Intent.
Status: in_force

The purposes of this chapter are to promote employment and independence of blind persons in the state of Washington through their complete integration into society on the basis of equality, and to encourage public acceptance of the abilities of blind persons.
RCW 74.12.460 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 460
RCW 74.12.460: Notice to parent—Required within seven days of approval of application.
Status: in_force

The department shall make reasonable efforts to notify the parent under RCW 74.12.450 (2) as soon as reasonably possible, but no later than seven days after approval of the application by the department.
RCW 74.13.660 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 660
RCW 74.13.660: Foster parent critical support and retention program—Availability, assessment, training, referral.
Status: in_force

Under the foster parent critical support and retention program, foster parents who care for sexually reactive children, physically assaultive children, or children with other high-risk behaviors, as defined in RCW 74.13.280 , shall receive: (1) Availability at any time of the day or night to address specific concerns related to the identified child; (2) Assessment of risk and development of a safety and supervision plan; (3) Home-based foster parent training utilizing evidence-based models; and (4) Referral to relevant community services and training provided by the local department office or community agencies.
RCW 74.12.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 010
RCW 74.12.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of the administration of temporary assistance for needy families, the term "dependent child" means any child in need under the age of eighteen years who is living with a relative as specified under federal temporary assistance for needy families program requirements, in a place of residence maintained by one or more of such relatives as his or her or their homes. The term a "dependent child" shall, notwithstanding the foregoing, also include a child who would meet such requirements except for his or her removal from the home of a relative specified above as a result of a judicial determination that continuation therein would be contrary to the welfare of such child, for whose placement and care the state department of social and health services or the county office is responsible, and who has been placed in a licensed or approved child care institution or foster home as a result of such determination and who: (1) Was receiving an aid to families with dependent children grant for the month in which court proceedings leading to such determination were initiated; or (2) would have received aid to families with dependent children for such month if application had been made therefor; or (3) in the case of a child who had been living with a specified relative within six months prior to the month in which such proceedings were initiated, would have received aid to families with dependent children for such month if in such month he or she had been living with such a relative and application had been made therefor, as authorized by the social security act. "Temporary assistance for needy families" means money payments, services, and remedial care with respect to a dependent child or dependent children and the needy parent or relative with whom the child lives.The state of Washington hereby obligates and binds itself to assume criminal and civil jurisdiction over Indians and Indian territory, reservations, country, and lands within this state in accordance with the consent of the United States given by the act of August 15, 1953 (Public Law 280, 83rd Congress, 1st Session), but such assumption of jurisdiction shall not apply to Indians when on their tribal lands or allotted lands within an established Indian reservation and held in trust by the United States or subject to a restriction against alienation imposed by the United States, unless the provisions of RCW 37.12.021 have been invoked, except for the following: (1) Compulsory school attendance; (2) Public assistance; (3) Domestic relations; (4) Mental illness; (5) Juvenile delinquency; (6) Adoption proceedings; (7) Dependent children; and (8) Operation of motor vehicles upon the public streets, alleys, roads and highways: PROVIDED FURTHER, That Indian tribes that petitioned for, were granted and became subject to state jurisdiction pursuant to this chapter on or before March 13, 1963 shall remain subject to state civil and criminal jurisdiction as if *chapter 36, Laws of 1963 had not been enacted.
RCW 74.08.030 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 030
RCW 74.08.030: Old age assistance eligibility requirements.
Status: in_force

In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements of RCW 74.08.025 , an applicant for old age assistance must be an applicant who: (1) Has attained the age of sixty-five: PROVIDED, That if an applicant for old age assistance is already on the assistance rolls in some other program or category of assistance, such applicant shall be considered eligible the first of the month immediately preceding the date on which such applicant will attain the age of sixty-five; and (2) Is a resident of the state of Washington.
RCW 74.20A.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 020
RCW 74.20A.020: Definitions.
Status: in_force

Unless a different meaning is plainly required by the context, the following words and phrases as hereinafter used in this chapter and chapter 74.20 RCW shall have the following meanings: (1) "Department" means the state department of social and health services. (2) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services, the secretary's designee or authorized representative. (3) "Dependent child" means any person: (a) Under the age of eighteen who is not self-supporting, married, or a member of the armed forces of the United States; or (b) Over the age of eighteen for whom a court order for support exists. (4) "Support obligation" means the obligation to provide for the necessary care, support, and maintenance, including medical expenses, of a dependent child or other person as required by statutes and the common law of this or another state. (5) "Superior court order" means any judgment, decree, or order of the superior court of the state of Washington, or a court of comparable jurisdiction of another state, establishing the existence of a support obligation and ordering payment of a set or determinable amount of support moneys to satisfy the support obligation. For purposes of RCW 74.20A.055 , orders for support which were entered under the uniform reciprocal enforcement of support act by a state where the responsible parent no longer resides shall not preclude the department from establishing an amount to be paid as current and future support. (6) "Administrative order" means any determination, finding, decree, or order for support pursuant to RCW 74.20A.055 , or by an agency of another state pursuant to a substantially similar administrative process, establishing the existence of a support obligation and ordering the payment of a set or determinable amount of support moneys to satisfy the support obligation. (7) "Responsible parent" means a natural parent, adoptive parent, or stepparent of a dependent child or a person who has signed an affidavit acknowledging paternity which has been filed with the state office of vital statistics. (8) "Stepparent" means the present spouse of the person who is either the mother, father, or adoptive parent of a dependent child, and such status shall exist until terminated as provided for in RCW 26.16.205 . (9) "Support moneys" means any moneys or in-kind providings paid to satisfy a support obligation whether denominated as child support, spouse support, alimony, maintenance, or any other such moneys intended to satisfy an obligation for support of any person or satisfaction in whole or in part of arrears or delinquency on such an obligation. (10) "Support debt" means any delinquent amount of support moneys which is due, owing, and unpaid under a superior court order or an administrative order, a debt for the payment of expenses for the reasonable or necessary care, support, and maintenance, including medical expenses, of a dependent child or other person for whom a support obligation is owed; or a debt under RCW 74.20A.100 or 74.20A.270 . Support debt also includes any accrued interest, fees, or penalties charged on a support debt, and attorneys fees and other costs of litigation awarded in an action to establish and enforce a support obligation or debt. (11) "State" means any state or political subdivision, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (12) "Account" means a demand deposit account, checking or negotiable withdrawal order account, savings account, time deposit account, or money-market mutual fund account. (13) "Child support order" means a superior court order or an administrative order. (14) "Financial institution" means: (a) A depository institution, as defined in section 3(c) of the federal deposit insurance act; (b) An institution-affiliated party, as defined in section 3(u) of the federal deposit insurance act; (c) Any federal or state credit union, as defined in section 101 of the federal credit union act, including an institution-affiliated party of such credit union, as defined in section 206(r) of the federal deposit insurance act; or (d) Any benefit association, insurance company, safe deposit company, money-market mutual fund, or similar entity. (15) "License" means a license, certificate, registration, permit, approval, or other similar document issued by a licensing entity to a licensee evidencing admission to or granting authority to engage in a profession, occupation, business, industry, recreational pursuit, or the operation of a motor vehicle. "License" does not mean the tax registration or certification issued under Title 82 RCW by the department of revenue. (16) "Licensee" means any individual holding a license, certificate, registration, permit, approval, or other similar document issued by a licensing entity evidencing admission to or granting authority to engage in a profession, occupation, business, industry, recreational pursuit, or the operation of a motor vehicle. (17) "Licensing entity" includes any department, board, commission, or other organization authorized to issue, renew, suspend, or revoke a license authorizing an individual to engage in a business, occupation, profession, industry, recreational pursuit, or the operation of a motor vehicle, and includes the Washington state supreme court, to the extent that a rule has been adopted by the court to implement suspension of licenses related to the practice of law. (18) "Noncompliance with a child support order" for the purposes of the license suspension program authorized under RCW 74.20A.320 means a responsible parent has: (a) Accumulated arrears totaling more than six months of child support payments; (b) Failed to make payments pursuant to a written agreement with the department towards a support arrearage in an amount that exceeds six months of payments; or (c) Failed to make payments required by a superior court order or administrative order towards a support arrearage in an amount that exceeds six months of payments. (19) "Noncompliance with a residential or visitation order" means that a court has found the parent in contempt of court under RCW 26.09.160 (3) for failure to comply with a residential provision of a court-ordered parenting plan.
RCW 74.13.037 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 037
RCW 74.13.037: Transitional living programs for youth in the process of being emancipated—Rules.
Status: in_force

Within available funds appropriated for this purpose, the department shall establish, through performance-based contracts with private vendors, transitional living programs for youth who are being assisted by the department in being emancipated as part of their permanency plan under chapter 13.34 RCW. These programs shall be licensed under rules adopted by the department.
RCW 74.13.013 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 013
RCW 74.13.013: Finding—Accreditation of children's services.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds that accreditation of children's services by an independent entity can significantly improve the quality of services provided to children and families. Accreditation involves an ongoing commitment to meeting nationally recognized standards of practice in child welfare and holds organizations accountable for achieving improved outcomes for children. Accreditation is a structured process designed to facilitate organizational change and improvement within individual local offices. Standards require improved case management, documentation, internal case management practices, and accountability. Accreditation requires the establishment of clear communication with biological parents, foster and adoptive parents, providers, the courts, and members of the community.
RCW 74.04.055 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 055
RCW 74.04.055: Cooperation with federal government—Construction—Conflict with federal requirements.
Status: in_force

In furtherance of the policy of this state to cooperate with the federal government in the programs included in this title the secretary or director, as appropriate, shall issue such rules and regulations as may become necessary to entitle this state to participate in federal grants-in-aid, goods, commodities and services unless the same be expressly prohibited by this title. Any section or provision of this title which may be susceptible to more than one construction shall be interpreted in favor of the construction most likely to satisfy federal laws entitling this state to receive federal matching or other funds for the various programs of public assistance. If any part of this chapter is found to be in conflict with federal requirements which are a prescribed condition to the receipts of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this chapter is hereby inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict with respect to the agencies directly affected, and such finding or determination shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this chapter.
RCW 74.55.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 55 / Section 020
RCW 74.55.020: Goals.
Status: in_force

The goals of the children's system of care are to: (1) Maintain a multiagency collaborative planning and system management mechanism at the state and local levels through the establishment of an oversight committee at the local level in accordance with the principles and program requirements associated with the federal center for children's mental health services; (2) Recommend and make necessary financing changes to support individualized and flexible home and community-based services and supports that are child centered, family driven, strength based, and culturally competent; (3) Support a common screening tool and integrated care coordination system; (4) Recommend and make necessary changes in contracting to support integrated service delivery; (5) Promote and increase the expansion of system capacity for children and their families in each demonstration site community; (6) Develop the capacity of family members to provide support for one another and to strengthen the family voice in system implementation through the utilization of a citizens' advisory board as described in *RCW 74.55.040 and through other outreach activities; (7) Conduct research and draw on outside consultation to identify best practices to inform system development and refinement; and (8) Demonstrate cost-effectiveness by creating system efficiencies that generate savings from the current level of expenditures for children being served by the participating agencies. These savings must be used to provide more services to the children involved in the project, or to serve more children.
RCW 74.46.561 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 561
RCW 74.46.561: Nursing home payment rates—System components—Quality incentive—Reimbursement of safety net assessment—Rate reductions or increases limited.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5998-S.SL ) ***

(1) The legislature adopts a new system for establishing nursing home payment rates beginning July 1, 2016. Any payments to nursing homes for services provided after June 30, 2016, must be based on the new system. The new system must be designed in such a manner as to decrease administrative complexity associated with the payment methodology, reward nursing homes providing care for high acuity residents, incentivize quality care for residents of nursing homes, and establish minimum staffing standards for direct care. (2) The new system must be based primarily on industry-wide costs, and have three main components: Direct care, indirect care, and capital. (3)(a) The direct care component must include the direct care and therapy care components of the previous system, along with food, laundry, and dietary services. Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, direct care must be paid at a fixed rate, based on one hundred percent or greater of statewide case mix neutral median costs, but shall be capped so that a nursing home provider's direct care rate does not exceed 118 percent of its base year's direct care allowable costs except if the provider is below the minimum staffing standard established in RCW 74.42.360 (2). Direct care must be performance-adjusted for acuity every six months, using case mix principles. Direct care must be regionally adjusted using countywide wage index information available through the United States department of labor's bureau of labor statistics. There is no minimum occupancy for direct care. The direct care component rate allocations calculated in accordance with this section must be adjusted to the extent necessary to comply with RCW 74.46.421 . (b) Unless a nursing home provider is below the minimum staffing standard established in RCW 74.42.360 (2), a provider's direct care rate relative to its base year's direct care allowable costs must be capped as follows: (i) For fiscal year 2023, the cap must not exceed 165 percent; (ii) For fiscal year 2024, the cap must not exceed 153 percent; and (iii) For fiscal year 2025, the cap must not exceed 142 percent. (4)(a) The indirect care component must include the elements of administrative expenses, maintenance costs, and housekeeping services from the previous system. Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, a minimum occupancy assumption of ninety percent must be applied to indirect care. Indirect care must be paid at a fixed rate, based on ninety percent or greater of statewide median costs. The indirect care component rate allocations calculated in accordance with this section must be adjusted to the extent necessary to comply with RCW 74.46.421 . (b) A minimum occupancy assumption must be applied to indirect care as follows: (i) For fiscal year 2023, the assumption must be 75 percent; (ii) For fiscal year 2024, the assumption must be 80 percent; and (iii) For fiscal year 2025, the assumption must be 80 percent. (5) The capital component must use a fair market rental system to set a price per bed. The capital component must be adjusted for the age of the facility, and must use a minimum occupancy assumption of ninety percent. (a) Beginning July 1, 2016, the fair rental rate allocation for each facility must be determined by multiplying the allowable nursing home square footage in (c) of this subsection by the RSMeans rental rate in (d) of this subsection and by the number of licensed beds yielding the gross unadjusted building value. An equipment allowance of ten percent must be added to the unadjusted building value. The sum of the unadjusted building value and equipment allowance must then be reduced by the average age of the facility as determined by (e) of this subsection using a depreciation rate of one and one-half percent. The depreciated building and equipment plus land valued at ten percent of the gross unadjusted building value before depreciation must then be multiplied by the rental rate at seven and one-half percent to yield an allowable fair rental value for the land, building, and equipment. (b) The fair rental value determined in (a) of this subsection must be divided by the greater of the actual total facility census from the prior full calendar year or imputed census based on the number of licensed beds at ninety percent occupancy. (c) For the rate year beginning July 1, 2016, all facilities must be reimbursed using four hundred square feet. For the rate year beginning July 1, 2017, allowable nursing facility square footage must be determined using the total nursing facility square footage as reported on the medicaid cost reports submitted to the department in compliance with this chapter. The maximum allowable square feet per bed may not exceed four hundred fifty. (d) Each facility must be paid at eighty-three percent or greater of the median nursing facility RSMeans construction index value per square foot. The department may use updated RSMeans construction index information when more recent square footage data becomes available. The statewide value per square foot must be indexed based on facility zip code by multiplying the statewide value per square foot times the appropriate zip code based index. For the purpose of implementing this section, the value per square foot effective July 1, 2016, must be set so that the weighted average fair rental value rate is not less than ten dollars and eighty cents per patient day. The capital component rate allocations calculated in accordance with this section must be adjusted to the extent necessary to comply with RCW 74.46.421 . (e) The average age is the actual facility age reduced for significant renovations. Significant renovations are defined as those renovations that exceed two thousand dollars per bed in a calendar year as reported on the annual cost report submitted in accordance with this chapter. For the rate beginning July 1, 2016, the department shall use renovation data back to 1994 as submitted on facility cost reports. Beginning July 1, 2016, facility ages must be reduced in future years if the value of the renovation completed in any year exceeds two thousand dollars times the number of licensed beds. The cost of the renovation must be divided by the accumulated depreciation per bed in the year of the renovation to determine the equivalent number of new replacement beds. The new age for the facility is a weighted average with the replacement bed equivalents reflecting an age of zero and the existing licensed beds, minus the new bed equivalents, reflecting their age in the year of the renovation. At no time may the depreciated age be less than zero or greater than forty-four years. (f) A nursing facility's capital component rate allocation must be rebased annually, effective July 1, 2016, in accordance with this section and this chapter. (g) For the purposes of this subsection (5), "RSMeans" means building construction costs data as published by Gordian. (6) A quality incentive must be offered as a rate enhancement beginning July 1, 2016. (a) An enhancement no larger than five percent and no less than one percent of the statewide average daily rate must be paid to facilities that meet or exceed the standard established for the quality incentive. All providers must have the opportunity to earn the full quality incentive payment. (b) The quality incentive component must be determined by calculating an overall facility quality score composed of four to six quality measures. For fiscal year 2017 there shall be four quality measures, and for fiscal year 2018 there shall be six quality measures. Initially, the quality incentive component must be based on minimum data set quality measures for the percentage of long-stay residents who self-report moderate to severe pain, the percentage of high-risk long-stay residents with pressure ulcers, the percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury, and the percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection. Quality measures must be reviewed on an annual basis by a stakeholder work group established by the department. Upon review, quality measures may be added or changed. The department may risk adjust individual quality measures as it deems appropriate. (c) The facility quality score must be point based, using at a minimum the facility's most recent available three-quarter average centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data. Point thresholds for each quality measure must be established using the corresponding statistical values for the quality measure point determinants of eighty quality measure points, sixty quality measure points, forty quality measure points, and twenty quality measure points, identified in the most recent available five-star quality rating system technical user's guide published by the centers for medicare and medicaid services. (d) Facilities meeting or exceeding the highest performance threshold (top level) for a quality measure receive twenty-five points. Facilities meeting the second highest performance threshold receive twenty points. Facilities meeting the third level of performance threshold receive fifteen points. Facilities in the bottom performance threshold level receive no points. Points from all quality measures must then be summed into a single aggregate quality score for each facility. (e) Facilities receiving an aggregate quality score of eighty percent of the overall available total score or higher must be placed in the highest tier (tier V), facilities receiving an aggregate score of between seventy and seventy-nine percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the second highest tier (tier IV), facilities receiving an aggregate score of between sixty and sixty-nine percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the third highest tier (tier III), facilities receiving an aggregate score of between fifty and fifty-nine percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the fourth highest tier (tier II), and facilities receiving less than fifty percent of the overall available total score must be placed in the lowest tier (tier I). (f) The tier system must be used to determine the amount of each facility's per patient day quality incentive component. The per patient day quality incentive component for tier IV is seventy-five percent of the per patient day quality incentive component for tier V, the per patient day quality incentive component for tier III is fifty percent of the per patient day quality incentive component for tier V, and the per patient day quality incentive component for tier II is twenty-five percent of the per patient day quality incentive component for tier V. Facilities in tier I receive no quality incentive component. (g) Tier system payments must be set in a manner that ensures that the entire biennial appropriation for the quality incentive program is allocated. (h) Facilities with insufficient three-quarter average centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data must be assigned to the tier corresponding to their five-star quality rating. Facilities with a five-star quality rating must be assigned to the highest tier (tier V) and facilities with a one-star quality rating must be assigned to the lowest tier (tier I). The use of a facility's five-star quality rating shall only occur in the case of insufficient centers for medicare and medicaid services minimum data set information. (i) The quality incentive rates must be adjusted semiannually on July 1 and January 1 of each year using, at a minimum, the most recent available three-quarter average centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data. (j) Beginning July 1, 2017, the percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication must be added as a quality measure. The department must determine the quality incentive thresholds for this quality measure in a manner consistent with those outlined in (b) through (h) of this subsection using the centers for medicare and medicaid services quality data. (k) Beginning July 1, 2017, the percentage of direct care staff turnover must be added as a quality measure using the centers for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal and nursing home facility payroll data. Turnover is defined as an employee departure. The department must determine the quality incentive thresholds for this quality measure using data from the centers for medicare and medicaid services' payroll-based journal, unless such data is not available, in which case the department shall use direct care staffing turnover data from the most recent medicaid cost report. (7) Reimbursement of the safety net assessment imposed by chapter 74.48 RCW and paid in relation to medicaid residents must be continued. (8)(a) The direct care and indirect care components must be rebased in even-numbered years, beginning with rates paid on July 1, 2016. Rates paid on July 1, 2016, must be based on the 2014 calendar year cost report. On a percentage basis, after rebasing, the department must confirm that the statewide average daily rate has increased at least as much as the average rate of inflation, as determined by the skilled nursing facility market basket index published by the centers for medicare and medicaid services, or a comparable index. If after rebasing, the percentage increase to the statewide average daily rate is less than the average rate of inflation for the same time period, the department is authorized to increase rates by the difference between the percentage increase after rebasing and the average rate of inflation. (b) It is the intention of the legislature that direct and indirect care rates paid in fiscal year 2022 will be rebased using the calendar year 2019 cost reports. For fiscal year 2021, in addition to the rates generated by (a) of this subsection, an additional adjustment is provided as established in this subsection (8)(b). Beginning May 1, 2020, and through June 30, 2021, the calendar year costs must be adjusted for inflation by a twenty-four month consumer price index, based on the most recently available monthly index for all urban consumers, as published by the bureau of labor statistics. It is also the intent of the legislature that, starting in fiscal year 2022, a facility-specific rate add-on equal to the inflation adjustment that facilities received solely in fiscal year 2021, must be added to the rate. For fiscal year 2024, the direct care and indirect care components shall be rebased to the 2021 calendar year cost report plus a 4.7 percent adjustment for inflation. For fiscal year 2025, the direct and indirect care components shall be rebased to the 2022 calendar year cost report plus a five percent adjustment for inflation. (c) To determine the necessity of regular inflationary adjustments to the nursing facility rates, by December 1, 2020, the department shall provide the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature with a report that provides a review of rates paid in 2017, 2018, and 2019 in comparison to costs incurred by nursing facilities. (9) The direct care component provided in subsection (3) of this section is subject to the reconciliation and settlement process provided in RCW 74.46.022 (6). Beginning July 1, 2016, pursuant to rules established by the department, funds that are received through the reconciliation and settlement process provided in RCW 74.46.022 (6) must be used for technical assistance, specialized training, or an increase to the quality enhancement established in subsection (6) of this section. The legislature intends to review the utility of maintaining the reconciliation and settlement process under a price-based payment methodology, and may discontinue the reconciliation and settlement process after the 2017-2019 fiscal biennium. (10) Compared to the rate in effect June 30, 2016, including all cost components and rate add-ons, no facility may receive a rate reduction of more than one percent on July 1, 2016, more than two percent on July 1, 2017, or more than five percent on July 1, 2018. To ensure that the appropriation for nursing homes remains cost neutral, the department is authorized to cap the rate increase for facilities in fiscal years 2017, 2018, and 2019. (11) It is the intent of the legislature that a rate add-on be applied to the weighted average nursing facility payment rate referenced in the omnibus operating appropriations act in an amount necessary to ensure that the weighted average nursing facility payment rate for fiscal year 2026 is equal to the weighted average nursing facility payment rate for fiscal year 2025.
RCW 74.46.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 020
RCW 74.46.020: Definitions.
Status: in_force

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Appraisal" means the process of estimating the fair market value or reconstructing the historical cost of an asset acquired in a past period as performed by a professionally designated real estate appraiser with no pecuniary interest in the property to be appraised. It includes a systematic, analytic determination and the recording and analyzing of property facts, rights, investments, and values based on a personal inspection and inventory of the property. (2) "Arm's-length transaction" means a transaction resulting from good-faith bargaining between a buyer and seller who are not related organizations and have adverse positions in the market place. Sales or exchanges of nursing home facilities among two or more parties in which all parties subsequently continue to own one or more of the facilities involved in the transactions shall not be considered as arm's-length transactions for purposes of this chapter. Sale of a nursing home facility which is subsequently leased back to the seller within five years of the date of sale shall not be considered as an arm's-length transaction for purposes of this chapter. (3) "Assets" means economic resources of the contractor, recognized and measured in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. (4) "Audit" or "department audit" means an examination of the records of a nursing facility participating in the medicaid payment system, including but not limited to: The contractor's financial and statistical records, cost reports and all supporting documentation and schedules, receivables, and resident trust funds, to be performed as deemed necessary by the department and according to department rule. (5) "Capital component" means a fair market rental system that sets a price per nursing facility bed. (6) "Capitalization" means the recording of an expenditure as an asset. (7) "Case mix" means a measure of the intensity of care and services needed by the residents of a nursing facility or a group of residents in the facility. (8) "Case mix index" means a number representing the average case mix of a nursing facility. (9) "Case mix weight" means a numeric score that identifies the relative resources used by a particular group of a nursing facility's residents. (10) "Contractor" means a person or entity licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW to operate a medicare and medicaid certified nursing facility, responsible for operational decisions, and contracting with the department to provide services to medicaid recipients residing in the facility. (11) "Default case" means no initial assessment has been completed for a resident and transmitted to the department by the cut-off date, or an assessment is otherwise past due for the resident, under state and federal requirements. (12) "Department" means the department of social and health services (DSHS) and its employees. (13) "Depreciation" means the systematic distribution of the cost or other basis of tangible assets, less salvage, over the estimated useful life of the assets. (14) "Direct care component" means nursing care and related care provided to nursing facility residents and includes the therapy care component, along with food, laundry, and dietary services of the previous system. (15) "Direct care supplies" means medical, pharmaceutical, and other supplies required for the direct care of a nursing facility's residents. (16) "Entity" means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or any other association of individuals capable of entering enforceable contracts. (17) "Equity" means the net book value of all tangible and intangible assets less the recorded value of all liabilities, as recognized and measured in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. (18) "Essential community provider" means a facility which is the only nursing facility within a commuting distance radius of at least forty minutes duration, traveling by automobile. (19) "Facility" or "nursing facility" means a nursing home licensed in accordance with chapter 18.51 RCW, excepting nursing homes certified as institutions for mental diseases, or that portion of a multiservice facility licensed as a nursing home, or that portion of a hospital licensed in accordance with chapter 70.41 RCW which operates as a nursing home. (20) "Fair market value" means the replacement cost of an asset less observed physical depreciation on the date for which the market value is being determined. (21) "Financial statements" means statements prepared and presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles including, but not limited to, balance sheet, statement of operations, statement of changes in financial position, and related notes. (22) "Generally accepted accounting principles" means accounting principles approved by the financial accounting standards board (FASB) or its successor. (23) "Grouper" means a computer software product that groups individual nursing facility residents into case mix classification groups based on specific resident assessment data and computer logic. (24) "High labor-cost county" means an urban county in which the median allowable facility cost per case mix unit is more than ten percent higher than the median allowable facility cost per case mix unit among all other urban counties, excluding that county. (25) "Historical cost" means the actual cost incurred in acquiring and preparing an asset for use, including feasibility studies, architect's fees, and engineering studies. (26) "Home and central office costs" means costs that are incurred in the support and operation of a home and central office. Home and central office costs include centralized services that are performed in support of a nursing facility. The department may exclude from this definition costs that are nonduplicative, documented, ordinary, necessary, and related to the provision of care services to authorized patients. (27) "Indirect care component" means the elements of administrative expenses, maintenance costs, taxes, and housekeeping services from the previous system. (28) "Large nonessential community providers" means nonessential community providers with more than sixty licensed beds, regardless of how many beds are set up or in use. (29) "Lease agreement" means a contract between two parties for the possession and use of real or personal property or assets for a specified period of time in exchange for specified periodic payments. Elimination (due to any cause other than death or divorce) or addition of any party to the contract, expiration, or modification of any lease term in effect on January 1, 1980, or termination of the lease by either party by any means shall constitute a termination of the lease agreement. An extension or renewal of a lease agreement, whether or not pursuant to a renewal provision in the lease agreement, shall be considered a new lease agreement. A strictly formal change in the lease agreement which modifies the method, frequency, or manner in which the lease payments are made, but does not increase the total lease payment obligation of the lessee, shall not be considered modification of a lease term. (30) "Medical care program" or "medicaid program" means medical assistance, including nursing care, provided under RCW 74.09.500 or authorized state medical care services. (31) "Medical care recipient," "medicaid recipient," or "recipient" means an individual determined eligible by the department for the services provided under chapter 74.09 RCW. (32) "Minimum data set" means the overall data component of the resident assessment instrument, indicating the strengths, needs, and preferences of an individual nursing facility resident. (33) "Net book value" means the historical cost of an asset less accumulated depreciation. (34) "Net invested funds" means the net book value of tangible fixed assets employed by a contractor to provide services under the medical care program, including land, buildings, and equipment as recognized and measured in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. (35) "Nonurban county" means a county which is not located in a metropolitan statistical area as determined and defined by the United States office of management and budget or other appropriate agency or office of the federal government. (36) "Owner" means a sole proprietor, general or limited partners, members of a limited liability company, and beneficial interest holders of five percent or more of a corporation's outstanding stock. (37) "Patient day" or "resident day" means a calendar day of care provided to a nursing facility resident, regardless of payment source, which will include the day of admission and exclude the day of discharge; except that, when admission and discharge occur on the same day, one day of care shall be deemed to exist. A "medicaid day" or "recipient day" means a calendar day of care provided to a medicaid recipient determined eligible by the department for services provided under chapter 74.09 RCW, subject to the same conditions regarding admission and discharge applicable to a patient day or resident day of care. (38) "Patient-driven payment method" means a case mix system implemented by the centers for medicare and medicaid services to classify skilled nursing facility patients into payment groups based on specific data-driven patient characteristics. (39) "Qualified therapist" means: (a) A mental health professional as defined by chapter 71.05 RCW; (b) An intellectual disabilities professional who is a therapist approved by the department who has had specialized training or one year's experience in treating or working with persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities; (c) A speech pathologist who is eligible for a certificate of clinical competence in speech pathology or who has the equivalent education and clinical experience; (d) A physical therapist as defined by chapter 18.74 RCW; (e) An occupational therapist who is a graduate of a program in occupational therapy, or who has the equivalent of such education or training; and (f) A respiratory care practitioner certified under chapter 18.89 RCW. (40) "Quality enhancement component" means a rate enhancement offered to facilities that meet or exceed the standard established for the quality measures. (41) "Rate" or "rate allocation" means the medicaid per-patient-day payment amount for medicaid patients calculated in accordance with the allocation methodology set forth in RCW 74.46.421 through 74.46.531 . (42) "Rebased rate" or "cost-rebased rate" means a facility-specific component rate assigned to a nursing facility for a particular rate period established on desk-reviewed, adjusted costs reported for that facility covering at least six months of a prior calendar year designated as a year to be used for cost-rebasing payment rate allocations under the provisions of this chapter. (43) "Records" means those data supporting all financial statements and cost reports including, but not limited to, all general and subsidiary ledgers, books of original entry, and transaction documentation, however such data are maintained. (44) "Resident assessment instrument," including federally approved modifications for use in this state, means a federally mandated, comprehensive nursing facility resident care planning and assessment tool, consisting of the minimum data set and resident assessment protocols. (45) "Resident assessment protocols" means those components of the resident assessment instrument that use the minimum data set to trigger or flag a resident's potential problems and risk areas. (46) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services. (47) "Small nonessential community providers" means nonessential community providers with sixty or fewer licensed beds, regardless of how many beds are set up or in use. (48) "Therapy care" means those services required by a nursing facility resident's comprehensive assessment and plan of care, that are provided by qualified therapists, or support personnel under their supervision, including related costs as designated by the department. (49) "Title XIX" or "medicaid" means the 1965 amendments to the social security act, P.L. 89-07, as amended and the medicaid program administered by the department. (50) "Urban county" means a county which is located in a metropolitan statistical area as determined and defined by the United States office of management and budget or other appropriate agency or office of the federal government.
RCW 74.39A.076 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 076
RCW 74.39A.076: Training requirements for long-term care workers caring for family members.
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning January 7, 2012, except for long-term care workers exempt from certification under RCW 18.88B.041 (1)(a): (a) A parent who is the long-term care worker providing in-home care only for the person's developmentally disabled child, including when related by marriage or domestic partnership, must receive 12 hours of training relevant to the needs of individuals with developmental disabilities within the first 120 days after becoming a long-term care worker. (b) Beginning July 1, 2026, a spouse or registered domestic partner who is a long-term care worker providing in-home care only for a spouse or domestic partner must receive 15 hours of basic training, and at least six hours of additional focused training based on the care-receiving spouse's or partner's needs, within the first 120 days after becoming an in-home long-term care worker. (c) A person working as a long-term care worker providing in-home care who (i) provides respite care services only for individuals with developmental disabilities receiving services under Title 71A RCW or only for individuals who receive services under this chapter, and (ii) works 300 hours or less in any calendar year, must complete 14 hours of training within the first 120 days after becoming a long-term care worker providing in-home care. Five of the 14 hours must be completed before becoming eligible to provide care, including two hours of orientation training regarding the caregiving role and terms of employment and three hours of safety training. The training partnership identified in RCW 74.39A.360 must offer at least 12 of the 14 hours online, and five of those online hours must be individually selected from elective courses. (d) Long-term care workers identified in (d)(i) or (ii) of this subsection must complete 35 hours of training within the first 120 days after becoming a long-term care worker. Five of the 35 hours must be completed before becoming eligible to provide care. Two of these five hours shall be devoted to an orientation training regarding a long-term care worker's role as caregiver and the applicable terms of employment, and three hours shall be devoted to safety training, including basic safety precautions, emergency procedures, and infection control. Long-term care workers subject to this requirement include: (i)(A) Unless covered by (a) of this subsection, a long-term care worker providing in-home care and caring only for the worker's child or parent, including when related by marriage or domestic partnership; (B) A long-term care worker providing in-home care and caring only for the long-term care worker's sibling, aunt, uncle, cousin, niece, nephew, grandparent, or grandchild, including when related by marriage or domestic partnership; and (ii) A person working as a long-term care worker providing in-home care who provides 20 hours or less of care for one person in any calendar month. (2) In computing the time periods in this section, the first day is the date of hire. (3) Only training curriculum approved by the department may be used to fulfill the training requirements specified in this section. The department shall only approve training curriculum that: (a) Has been developed with input from consumer and worker representatives; and (b) Requires comprehensive instruction by qualified instructors. (4) If a pandemic, natural disaster, or other declared state of emergency impacts the ability of long-term care workers to complete training as required by this section, the department may adopt rules to allow long-term care workers additional time to complete the training requirements. (a) Rules adopted under this subsection (4) are effective until the termination of the pandemic, natural disaster, or other declared state of emergency or until the department determines that all long-term care workers who were unable to complete the training required in subsection (1) of this section have had adequate access to complete the required training, whichever is later. Once the department determines a rule adopted under this subsection (4) is no longer necessary, it must repeal the rule under RCW 34.05.353 . (b) Within 12 months of the termination of the pandemic, natural disaster, or other declared state of emergency, the department shall conduct a review of training compliance with subsection (1) of this section and provide the legislature with a report. (5) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.
RCW 74.20A.320 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 320
RCW 74.20A.320: License suspension—Notice of noncompliance with a child support order—License renewal and reinstatement.
Status: in_force

(1) The department may serve upon a responsible parent a notice informing the responsible parent of the department's intent to submit the parent's name to the department of licensing and any appropriate licensing entity as a licensee who is not in compliance with a child support order. (a) If the support order establishing or modifying the child support obligation includes a statement required under RCW 26.23.050 that the responsible parent's privileges to obtain and maintain a license may not be renewed or may be suspended if the parent is not in compliance with a support order, the department may send the notice required by this section to the responsible parent by regular mail, addressed to the responsible parent's last known mailing address on file with the department or by personal service. Notice by regular mail is deemed served three days from the date the notice was deposited with the United States postal service. (b) If the support order does not include a statement as required under RCW 26.23.050 that the responsible parent's privileges to obtain and maintain a license may not be renewed or may be suspended if the parent is not in compliance with a support order, service of the notice required by this section to the responsible parent must be by certified mail, return receipt requested. If service by certified mail is not successful, service shall be by personal service. (2) The notice of noncompliance must include the following information: (a) The address and telephone number of the department's division of child support office that issued the notice; (b) That in order to prevent the department from certifying the parent's name to the department of licensing or any other licensing entity, the parent has twenty days from receipt of the notice to contact the department and: (i) Pay the overdue support amount in full; (ii) Request an adjudicative proceeding as provided in RCW 74.20A.322 ; (iii) Agree to a payment schedule with the department as provided in RCW 74.20A.326 ; or (iv) File an action to modify the child support order with the appropriate court or administrative forum, in which case the department will stay the certification process up to six months; (c) That failure to contact the department within twenty days of receipt of the notice will result in certification of the responsible parent's name to the department of licensing and any other appropriate licensing entity for noncompliance with a child support order. Upon receipt of the notice: (i) The licensing entity will suspend or not renew the parent's license and the department of licensing will suspend or not renew any driver's license that the parent holds until the parent provides the department of licensing and the licensing entity with a release from the department stating that the responsible parent is in compliance with the child support order; (ii) The department of fish and wildlife will suspend a fishing license, hunting license, occupational licenses, such as a commercial fishing license, or any other license issued under chapter 77.32 RCW that the responsible parent may possess, and suspension of a license by the department of fish and wildlife may also affect the parent's ability to obtain permits, such as special hunting permits, issued by the department. Notice from the department of licensing that a responsible parent's driver's license has been suspended shall serve as notice of the suspension of a license issued under chapter 77.32 RCW; (d) That suspension of a license will affect insurability if the responsible parent's insurance policy excludes coverage for acts occurring after the suspension of a license; (e) If the responsible parent subsequently comes into compliance with the child support order, the department will promptly provide the parent and the appropriate licensing entities with a release stating that the parent is in compliance with the order. (3) When a responsible parent who is served notice under subsection (1) of this section subsequently complies with the child support order, a copy of a release stating that the responsible parent is in compliance with the order shall be transmitted by the department to the appropriate licensing entities. (4) The department of licensing and a licensing entity may renew, reinstate, or otherwise extend a license in accordance with the licensing entity's or the department of licensing's rules after the licensing entity or the department of licensing receives a copy of the release specified in subsection (3) of this section. The department of licensing and a licensing entity may waive any applicable requirement for reissuance, renewal, or other extension if it determines that the imposition of that requirement places an undue burden on the person and that waiver of the requirement is consistent with the public interest.
RCW 74.48.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 48 / Section 020
RCW 74.48.020: Skilled nursing facility safety net trust fund.
Status: in_force

(1) There is established in the state treasury the skilled nursing facility safety net trust fund. The purpose and use of the fund shall be to receive and disburse funds, together with accrued interest, in accordance with this chapter. Moneys in the fund, including interest earned, shall not be used or disbursed for any purposes other than those specified in this chapter. Any amounts expended from the fund that are later recouped by the department on audit or otherwise shall be returned to the fund. (2) The skilled nursing facility safety net trust fund must be a separate and continuing fund, and no money in the fund reverts to the state general fund at any time. All assessments, interest, and penalties collected by the department under RCW 74.48.030 , 74.48.040 , and 74.48.080 shall be deposited into the fund. (3) Any money received under RCW 74.48.030 , 74.48.040 , and 74.48.080 must be deposited in the state treasury for credit to the skilled nursing facility safety net trust fund, and must be expended, to the extent authorized by federal law, to obtain federal financial participation in the medicaid program and to maintain and enhance nursing facility rates in a manner set forth in subsection (4) of this section. (4) Disbursements from the fund may be made only as follows: (a) As an immediate pass-through or rate add-on to reimburse the medicaid share of the skilled nursing facility safety net assessment as a medicaid allowable cost; (b) To make medicaid payments for nursing facility services in accordance with chapter 74.46 RCW and pursuant to this chapter; (c) To refund erroneous or excessive payments made by skilled nursing facilities pursuant to this chapter; (d) To administer the provisions of this chapter the department may expend an amount not to exceed one-half of one percent of the money received from the assessment, and must not exceed the amount authorized for expenditure by the legislature for administrative expenses in a fiscal year; (e) To repay the federal government for any excess payments made to skilled nursing facilities from the fund if the assessments or payment increases set forth in this chapter are deemed out of compliance with federal statutes and regulations and all appeals have been exhausted. In such a case, the department may require skilled nursing facilities receiving excess payments to refund the payments in question to the fund. The state in turn shall return funds to the federal government in the same proportion as the original financing. If a skilled nursing facility is unable to refund payments, the state shall either develop a payment plan or deduct moneys from future medicaid payments, or both; and (f) To increase nursing facility payments to fund covered services to medicaid beneficiaries within medicare upper limits. (5) Any positive balance in the fund at the end of a fiscal year shall be applied to reduce the assessment amount for the subsequent fiscal year in accordance with RCW 74.48.040 (1)(c)(i). (6) Upon termination of the assessment, any amounts remaining in the fund shall be refunded to skilled nursing facilities, pro rata according to the amount paid by the facility, subject to limitations of federal law.
RCW 74.46.581 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 581
RCW 74.46.581: Separate nursing facility quality enhancement account.
Status: in_force

A separate nursing facility quality enhancement account is created in the custody of the state treasurer. Beginning July 1, 2015, all net receipts from the reconciliation and settlement process provided in RCW 74.46.022 (6), as described within RCW 74.46.561 , must be deposited into the account. Beginning July 1, 2016, all receipts from the system of financial penalties for facilities out of compliance with minimum staffing standards, as described within RCW 74.42.360 , must be deposited into the account. Only the secretary, or the secretary's designee, may authorize expenditures from the account. The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures. Except during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the department shall use the special account only for technical assistance for nursing facilities, specialized training for nursing facilities, or an increase to the quality enhancement established in RCW 74.46.561 , or as necessary for the reconciliation and settlement process, which requires deposits and withdrawals to complete both the preliminary and final settlement net receipt amounts for this account. During the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, the account may be expended for funding costs associated with nursing facilities.
RCW 74.09.839 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 839
RCW 74.09.839: Apple health pregnancy coverage.
Status: in_force

By November 1, 2024, the income standards for a pregnant person eligible for Washington apple health pregnancy coverage shall have countable income equal to or below 210 percent of the federal poverty level.
RCW 74.55.050 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 55 / Section 050
RCW 74.55.050: Funding—Report.
Status: in_force

Funding for children's system of care projects following the expiration of the federal grant shall be determined using the process established in RCW 74.14A.060 and funded children's system of care projects shall be included in the annual report required by that section.
RCW 74.04.0052 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 0052
RCW 74.04.0052: Teen applicants' living situation—Criteria—Presumption—Protective payee—Adoption referral.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall determine, after consideration of all relevant factors and in consultation with the applicant, the most appropriate living situation for applicants under eighteen years of age, unmarried, and pregnant who are eligible for benefits under RCW 74.62.030 and 43.185C.220 . An appropriate living situation shall include a place of residence that is maintained by the applicant's parents, parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative as their or his or her own home and that the department finds would provide an appropriate supportive living arrangement. It also includes a living situation maintained by an agency that is licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW that the department finds would provide an appropriate supportive living arrangement. Grant assistance shall not be provided under this chapter if the applicant does not reside in the most appropriate living situation, as determined by the department. (2) A pregnant minor residing in the most appropriate living situation, as provided under subsection (1) of this section, is presumed to be unable to manage adequately the funds paid to the minor or on behalf of the dependent child or children and, unless the minor provides sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption, shall be subject to the protective payee requirements provided for under RCW 74.12.250 and 74.08.280 . (3) The department shall consider any statements or opinions by either parent of the unmarried minor parent or pregnant minor applicant as to an appropriate living situation for the minor, whether in the parental home or other situation. If the parents or a parent of the minor request, they or he or she shall be entitled to a hearing in juvenile court regarding designation of the parental home or other relative placement as the most appropriate living situation for the pregnant or parenting minor. The department shall provide the parents or parent with the opportunity to make a showing that the parental home, or home of the other relative placement, is the most appropriate living situation. It shall be presumed in any administrative or judicial proceeding conducted under this subsection that the parental home or other relative placement requested by the parents or parent is the most appropriate living situation. This presumption is rebuttable. (4) In cases in which the minor is unmarried and unemployed, the department shall, as part of the determination of the appropriate living situation, provide information about adoption including referral to community-based organizations providing counseling. (5) For the purposes of this section, "most appropriate living situation" shall not include a living situation including an adult male who fathered the qualifying child and is found to meet the elements of rape of a child as set forth in RCW 9A.44.079 .
RCW 74.13.650 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 650
RCW 74.13.650: Foster parent critical support and retention program.
Status: in_force

A foster parent critical support and retention program is established to retain foster parents who care for sexually reactive children, physically assaultive children, or children with other high-risk behaviors, as defined in RCW 74.13.280 . Services shall consist of short-term therapeutic and educational interventions to support the stability of the placement. The department shall enter into performance-based contracts with agencies to provide this program.
RCW 74.48.080 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 48 / Section 080
RCW 74.48.080: Enforcement.
Status: in_force

If a nursing facility fails to make timely payment of the safety net assessment, the department may seek a remedy provided by law, including, but not limited to: (1) Withholding any medical assistance reimbursement payments until such time as the assessment amount is recovered; (2) Suspension or revocation of the nursing facility license; or (3) Imposition of a civil fine up to one thousand dollars per day for each delinquent payment, not to exceed the amount of the assessment.
RCW 74.09.280 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 280
RCW 74.09.280: False verification of written statements—Penalties.
Status: in_force

The secretary or director may by rule require that any application, statement, or form filled out by suppliers of medical care under this chapter or other applicable law shall contain or be verified by a written statement that it is made under the penalties of perjury and such declaration shall be in lieu of any oath otherwise required, and each such paper shall in such event so state. The making or subscribing of any such papers or forms containing any false or misleading information may be prosecuted and punished under chapter 9A.72 RCW.
RCW 74.04.310 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 310
RCW 74.04.310: Authority to accept contributions.
Status: in_force

In furthering the purposes of this title, the secretary or any county administrator may accept contributions or gifts in cash or otherwise from persons, associations or corporations, such contributions to be disbursed in the same manner as moneys appropriated for the purposes of this title: PROVIDED, That the donor of such gifts may stipulate the manner in which such gifts shall be expended.
RCW 74.12.340 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 340
RCW 74.12.340: Day care.
Status: in_force

(1) The department is authorized to adopt rules governing the provision of day care as a part of child welfare services when the secretary determines that a need exists for such day care and that it is in the best interests of the child, the parents, or the custodial parent and in determining the need for such day care priority shall be given to geographical areas having the greatest need for such care and to members of low-income groups in the population. If the family is financially able to pay part or all of the costs of such care, fees shall be imposed and paid according to the financial ability of the family. (2) This section does not affect the authority of the department of children, youth, and families to adopt rules governing child day care and early learning programs.
RCW 74.13A.095 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 095
RCW 74.13A.095: Interstate agreements for adoption of children with special needs—Purpose.
Status: in_force

The purposes of *RCW 74.13.152 through 74.13.159 are to: (1) Authorize the department to enter into interstate agreements with agencies of other states for the protection of children on behalf of whom adoption assistance is being provided by the department; and (2) Provide procedures for interstate children's adoption assistance payments, including medical payments.
RCW 74.39A.250 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 250
RCW 74.39A.250: Individual provider referral registry—Consumer directed employer duties—Department duties.
Status: in_force

(1) If a consumer directed employer employs individual providers, the consumer directed employer shall: (a) Provide assistance to consumers and prospective consumers in finding individual providers and prospective individual providers through the operation of a referral registry of individual providers and prospective individual providers. (b) Before placing an individual provider or prospective individual provider on the referral registry, determine that the individual provider or prospective individual provider: (i) Has met the minimum requirements for training under RCW 74.39A.051 and 74.39A.074 ; (ii) Has satisfactorily completed a background check within the prior twelve months; and (iii) Is not listed on any state or federal registry described in RCW 74.39A.056 or on other registries maintained by the department. (c) Remove from the referral registry any individual provider or prospective individual provider who does not meet the qualifications set forth in this subsection (1) or whose employment as an individual provider has been terminated based on good cause. (d) Provide routine, emergency, and respite referrals of individual providers and prospective individual providers to consumers and prospective consumers who are authorized to receive long-term in-home care services through an individual provider. (e) Not allow an individual provider to provide services to a consumer without the consumer's consent. (2) The department shall perform the activities under subsection (1) of this section if the department has not transitioned the responsibilities under this section to a consumer directed employer.
RCW 74.48.901 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 48 / Section 901
RCW 74.48.901: Effective date—2011 1st sp.s. c 7.
Status: in_force

This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect July 1, 2011.
RCW 74.04.012 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 012
RCW 74.04.012: Office of fraud and accountability.
Status: in_force

(1) There is established an office of fraud and accountability within the department for the purpose of detection, investigation, and prosecution of any act prohibited or declared to be unlawful in the public assistance programs administered by the department. The secretary will employ qualified supervisory, legal, and investigative personnel for the program. Program staff must be qualified by training and experience. (2) The director of the office of fraud and accountability is the head of the office and is selected by the secretary and must demonstrate suitable capacity and experience in law enforcement management, public administration, and criminal investigations. The director of the office of fraud and accountability shall: (a) Report directly to the secretary; and (b) Ensure that each citizen complaint, employee complaint, law enforcement complaint, and agency referral is assessed and, when risk of fraud or abuse is present, is fully investigated, and is referred for prosecution or recovery when there is substantial evidence of wrongdoing. (3) The office shall: (a) Conduct independent and objective investigations into allegations of fraud and abuse, make appropriate referral to law enforcement when there is substantial evidence of criminal activity, and recover overpayment whenever possible and to the greatest possible degree; (b) Recommend policies, procedures, and best practices designed to detect and prevent fraud and abuse, and to mitigate the risk for fraud and abuse and assure that public assistance benefits are being used for their statutorily stated goals; (c) Analyze cost-effective, best practice alternatives to the current cash benefit delivery system consistent with federal law to ensure that benefits are being used for their intended purposes; and (d) Use best practices to determine appropriate utilization and deployment of investigative resources, ensure that resources are deployed in a balanced and effective manner, and use all available methods to gather evidence necessary for proper investigation and successful prosecution. (4) By December 31, 2011, the office shall report to the legislature on the development of the office, identification of any barriers to meeting the stated goals of the office, and recommendations for improvements to the system and laws related to the prevention, detection, and prosecution of fraud and abuse in public assistance programs.
RCW 74.09.490 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 490
RCW 74.09.490: Children's mental health—Improving medication management and care coordination.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority, in consultation with the evidence-based practice institute established in RCW 71.24.061 , shall develop and implement policies to improve prescribing practices for treatment of emotional or behavioral disturbances in children, improve the quality of children's mental health therapy through increased use of evidence-based and research-based practices and reduced variation in practice, improve communication and care coordination between primary care and mental health providers, and prioritize care in the family home or care which integrates the family where out-of-home placement is required. (2) The authority shall identify those children with emotional or behavioral disturbances who may be at high risk due to off-label use of prescription medication, use of multiple medications, high medication dosage, or lack of coordination among multiple prescribing providers, and establish one or more mechanisms to evaluate the appropriateness of the medication these children are using, including but not limited to obtaining second opinions from experts in child psychiatry. (3) The authority shall review the psychotropic medications of all children under five and establish one or more mechanisms to evaluate the appropriateness of the medication these children are using, including but not limited to obtaining second opinions from experts in child psychiatry. (4) Within existing funds, the authority shall require a second opinion review from an expert in psychiatry for all prescriptions of one or more antipsychotic medications of all children under eighteen years of age in the foster care system. Thirty days of a prescription medication may be dispensed pending the second opinion review. The second opinion feedback must include discussion of the psychosocial interventions that have been or will be offered to the child and caretaker if appropriate in order to address the behavioral issues brought to the attention of the prescribing physician. (5) The authority shall track prescriptive practices with respect to psychotropic medications with the goal of reducing the use of medication. (6) The authority shall promote the appropriate use of cognitive behavioral therapies and other treatments which are empirically supported or evidence-based, in addition to or in the place of prescription medication where appropriate and such interventions are available.
RCW 74.34.053 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 34 / Section 053
RCW 74.34.053: Failure to report—False reports—Penalties.
Status: in_force

(1) A person who is required to make a report under this chapter and who knowingly fails to make the report is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. (2) A person who intentionally, maliciously, or in bad faith makes a false report of alleged abandonment, abuse, financial exploitation, or neglect of a vulnerable adult is guilty of a misdemeanor.
RCW 74.04.640 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 640
RCW 74.04.640: Acceptance of referrals for vocational rehabilitation—Reimbursement.
Status: in_force

Referrals to the state department of social and health services for vocational rehabilitation made in accordance with section 1615 of Title XVI of the Social Security Act, as amended, shall be accepted by the state. The department shall be reimbursed by the secretary of the department of health, education and welfare for the costs it incurs in providing such vocational rehabilitation services.
RCW 74.09.559 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 559
RCW 74.09.559: Long-acting injectable buprenorphine—Billing codes—Reimbursement.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority shall establish appropriate billing codes for hospitals and psychiatric hospitals that administer long-acting injectable buprenorphine on an outpatient basis to use for billing patients enrolled in a medical assistance program. (2) Upon initiation or renewal of a contract with the authority to administer a medicaid managed care plan, a managed care organization must reimburse a hospital or psychiatric hospital that bills for the administration of long-acting injectable buprenorphine on an outpatient basis as a separate reimbursable expense. (3) Beginning January 1, 2025, for individuals enrolled in a medical assistance program that is not a medicaid managed care plan, the authority must reimburse a hospital or psychiatric hospital that bills for the administration of long-acting injectable buprenorphine on an outpatient basis administered as a separate reimbursable expense. (4) Reimbursements provided under this section must be separate from any bundled payment for outpatient hospital or emergency department services.
RCW 74.04.515 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 515
RCW 74.04.515: Food stamp program—Discrimination prohibited.
Status: in_force

In administering the food stamp or benefits program, there shall be no discrimination against any applicant or recipient by reason of age, sex, disability, religious creed, political beliefs, race, color, or national origin.
RCW 74.46.840 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 840
RCW 74.46.840: Conflict with federal requirements.
Status: in_force

If any part of this chapter or RCW 18.51.145 or 74.09.120 is found by an agency of the federal government to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the receipts of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this chapter or RCW 18.51.145 or 74.09.120 is declared inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and such finding or determination shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this chapter or RCW 18.51.145 or 74.09.120 in its application to the agencies concerned. In the event that any portion of this chapter or RCW 18.51.145 or 74.09.120 is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the receipt of federal funds, the secretary, to the extent that the secretary finds it to be consistent with the general policies and intent of chapters 18.51 , 74.09, and 74.46 RCW, may adopt such rules as to resolve a specific conflict and that do meet minimum federal requirements. In addition, the secretary shall submit to the next regular session of the legislature a summary of the specific rule changes made and recommendations for statutory resolution of the conflict.
RCW 74.12.400 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 400
RCW 74.12.400: Reduce reliance on aid—Work and job training—Family planning—Staff training.
Status: in_force

The department shall train financial services and social work staff who provide direct service to recipients of temporary assistance for needy families to: (1) Effectively communicate the transitional nature of temporary assistance for needy families and the expectation that recipients will enter employment; (2) Actively refer clients to the job opportunities and basic skills program; (3) Provide social services needed to overcome obstacles to employability; and (4) Provide family planning information and assistance, including alternatives to abortion, which shall be conducted in consultation with the department of health.
RCW 74.20.045 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 045
RCW 74.20.045: Employment status—Self-employed individuals—Enforcement.
Status: in_force

The office of support enforcement shall, as a matter of policy, use all available remedies for the enforcement of support obligations where the obligor is a self-employed individual. The office of support enforcement shall not discriminate in favor of certain obligors based upon employment status.
RCW 74.13A.125 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 125
RCW 74.13A.125: Interstate agreements for adoption of children with special needs—Adoption assistance and medical assistance in state plan.
Status: in_force

Consistent with federal law, the department, in connection with the administration of *RCW 74.13.152 through 74.13.158 and any pursuant compact shall include in any state plan made pursuant to the adoption assistance and child welfare act of 1980 (P.L. 96-272), Titles IV(e) and XIX of the social security act, and any other applicable federal laws, the provision of adoption assistance and medical assistance for which the federal government pays some or all of the cost. The department shall apply for and administer all relevant federal aid in accordance with law.
RCW 74.08.335 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 335
RCW 74.08.335: Transfers of property to qualify for assistance.
Status: in_force

Temporary assistance for needy families and benefits under RCW 74.62.030 and 43.185C.220 shall not be granted to any person who has made an assignment or transfer of property for the purpose of rendering himself or herself eligible for the assistance. There is a rebuttable presumption that a person who has transferred or transfers any real or personal property or any interest in property within two years of the date of application for the assistance without receiving adequate monetary consideration therefor, did so for the purpose of rendering himself or herself eligible for the assistance. Any person who transfers property for the purpose of rendering himself or herself eligible for assistance, or any person who after becoming a recipient transfers any property or any interest in property without the consent of the secretary, shall be ineligible for assistance for a period of time during which the reasonable value of the property so transferred would have been adequate to meet the person's needs under normal conditions of living: PROVIDED, That the secretary is hereby authorized to allow exceptions in cases where undue hardship would result from a denial of assistance.
RCW 74.09.875 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 875
RCW 74.09.875: Reproductive health care services—Prohibited discrimination.
Status: in_force

(1) In the provision of reproductive health care services through programs under this chapter, the authority, managed care plans, and providers that administer or deliver such services may not discriminate in the delivery of a service provided through a program of the authority based on the covered person's gender identity or expression. (2) The authority and any managed care plans delivering or administering services purchased or contracted for by the authority, may not issue automatic initial denials of coverage for reproductive health care services that are ordinarily or exclusively available to individuals of one gender, based on the fact that the individual's gender assigned at birth, gender identity, or gender otherwise recorded in one or more government-issued documents, is different from the one to which such health services are ordinarily or exclusively available. (3) Denials as described in subsection (2) of this section are prohibited discrimination under chapter 49.60 RCW. (4) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (a) "Gender expression" means a person's gender-related appearance and behavior, whether or not stereotypically associated with the person's gender assigned at birth. (b) "Gender identity" means a person's internal sense of the person's own gender, regardless of the person's gender assigned at birth. (c) "Reproductive health care services" means any medical services or treatments, including pharmaceutical and preventive care service or treatments, directly involved in the reproductive system and its processes, functions, and organs involved in reproduction, in all stages of life. Reproductive health care services does not include infertility treatment. (d) "Reproductive system" includes, but is not limited to: Genitals, gonads, the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and breasts. (5) This section must not be construed to authorize discrimination on the basis of a covered person's gender identity or expression in the administration of any other medical assistance programs administered by the authority.
RCW 74.08.080 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 080
RCW 74.08.080: Grievances—Departmental and judicial review.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) A public assistance applicant or recipient who is aggrieved by a decision of the department or an authorized agency of the department has the right to an adjudicative proceeding. A current or former recipient who is aggrieved by a department claim that he or she owes a debt for an overpayment of assistance or food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically, or both, has the right to an adjudicative proceeding. (b) An applicant or recipient has no right to an adjudicative proceeding when the sole basis for the department's decision is a state or federal law that requires an assistance adjustment for a class of recipients. (2) The adjudicative proceeding is governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 34.05 RCW, and this subsection. (a) The applicant or recipient must file the application for an adjudicative proceeding with the secretary within 90 days after receiving notice of the aggrieving decision unless good cause is shown, to the extent allowable under federal law. (i) For the purpose of this subsection, good cause is defined as a substantive reason or legal justification for failing to meet a hearing deadline. Good cause to fail to meet a hearing deadline may include, but is not limited to: Military deployment, medical reasons, housing instability, language barriers, or domestic violence. (ii) The department shall not grant a request for a hearing for good cause if the request is filed more than one year after the aggrieving decision. (b) The hearing shall be conducted at the local community services office or other location in Washington convenient to the appellant. (c) The appellant or his or her representative has the right to inspect his or her department file and, upon request, to receive copies of department documents relevant to the proceedings free of charge. (d) The appellant has the right to a copy of the tape recording of the hearing free of charge. (e) The department is limited to recovering an overpayment arising from assistance being continued pending the adjudicative proceeding to the amount recoverable up to the 60th day after the secretary's receipt of the application for an adjudicative proceeding. (f) If the final adjudicative order is made in favor of the appellant, assistance shall be paid from the date of denial of the application for assistance or 30 days following the date of application for temporary assistance for needy families or 45 days after date of application for all other programs, whichever is sooner; or in the case of a recipient, from the effective date of the local community services office decision. (g) This subsection applies only to an adjudicative proceeding in which the appellant is an applicant for or recipient of medical assistance or the limited casualty program for the medically needy and the issue is his or her eligibility or ineligibility due to the assignment or transfer of a resource. The burden is on the department to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the person knowingly and willingly assigned or transferred the resource at less than market value for the purpose of qualifying or continuing to qualify for medical assistance or the limited casualty program for the medically needy. If the prevailing party in the adjudicative proceeding is the applicant or recipient, he or she is entitled to reasonable attorney's fees. (3) When a person files a petition for judicial review as provided in RCW 34.05.514 of an adjudicative order entered in a public assistance program, no filing fee shall be collected from the person and no bond shall be required on any appeal. In the event that the superior court, the court of appeals, or the supreme court renders a decision in favor of the appellant, said appellant shall be entitled to reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. If a decision of the court is made in favor of the appellant, assistance shall be paid from date of the denial of the application for assistance or 30 days after the application for temporary assistance for needy families or 45 days following the date of application, whichever is sooner; or in the case of a recipient, from the effective date of the local community services office decision.
RCW 74.42.285 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 285
RCW 74.42.285: Immunizations—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) Long-term care facilities shall: (a) Provide access on-site or make available elsewhere for all residents to obtain the influenza virus immunization on an annual basis; (b) Require that each resident, or the resident's legal representative, upon admission to the facility, be informed verbally and in writing of the benefits of receiving the influenza virus immunization and, if not previously immunized against pneumococcal disease, the benefits of the pneumococcal immunization. (2) As used in this section, "long-term care facility" is limited to nursing homes licensed under chapter 18.51 RCW. (3) The department of social and health services shall adopt rules to implement this section. (4) This section and rules adopted under this section shall not apply to nursing homes conducted for those who rely exclusively upon treatment by nonmedical religious healing methods, including prayer.
RCW 74.13.333 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 333
RCW 74.13.333: Rights of foster parents—Complaints—Investigation—Notice of any personnel action—Report.
Status: in_force

(1) A foster parent who believes that a department employee has retaliated against the foster parent or in any other manner discriminated against the foster parent because: (a) The foster parent made a complaint with the office of the family and children's ombuds, the attorney general, law enforcement agencies, or the department provided information, or otherwise cooperated with the investigation of such a complaint; (b) The foster parent has caused to be instituted any proceedings under or related to Title 13 RCW; (c) The foster parent has testified or is about to testify in any proceedings under or related to Title 13 RCW; (d) The foster parent has advocated for services on behalf of the foster child; (e) The foster parent has sought to adopt a foster child in the foster parent's care; or (f) The foster parent has discussed or consulted with anyone concerning the foster parent's rights under this chapter or chapter 74.15 or 13.34 RCW, may file a complaint with the office of the family and children's ombuds. (2) The ombuds may investigate the allegations of retaliation. The ombuds shall have access to all relevant information and resources held by or within the department by which to conduct the investigation. Upon the conclusion of its investigation, the ombuds shall provide its findings in written form to the department. (3) The department shall notify the office of the family and children's ombuds in writing, within thirty days of receiving the ombuds's findings, of any personnel action taken or to be taken with regard to the department employee. (4) The office of the family and children's ombuds shall also include its recommendations regarding complaints filed under this section in its annual report pursuant to RCW 43.06A.030 . The office of the family and children's ombuds shall identify trends which may indicate a need to improve relations between the department and foster parents.
RCW 74.08.060 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 060
RCW 74.08.060: Action on applications—Ineligibility of inmates—Employment and training services.
Status: in_force

The department shall approve or deny the application within forty-five days after filing, and shall immediately notify the applicant in writing of its decision. If the department is not able within forty-five days, despite due diligence, to secure all information necessary to establish eligibility, the department shall continue to secure such information. If such information, when established, makes the applicant eligible, the department shall pay the grant from the date of authorization or forty-five days after the date of application, whichever is earlier, except that the department shall not make payments for any period of time in which the applicant is ineligible for public assistance as an inmate of a public institution under RCW 74.08.025 (1)(c). The department may, in respect to work requirements, provide employment and training services, including job search, job placement, work orientation, and necessary support services to verify eligibility.
RCW 74.62.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 62 / Section 020
RCW 74.62.020: Termination of disability lifeline program.
Status: in_force

Effective October 31, 2011, the disability lifeline program, as defined under chapter 74.04 RCW, is terminated and all benefits provided under that program shall expire and cease to exist.
RCW 74.14A.030 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 14A / Section 030
RCW 74.14A.030: Treatment of juvenile offenders—Nonresidential community-based programs.
Status: in_force

The department of children, youth, and families shall address the needs of juvenile offenders whose standard range sentences do not include commitment by developing nonresidential community-based programs designed to reduce the incidence of manifest injustice commitments when consistent with public safety.
RCW 74.13A.055 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 055
RCW 74.13A.055: Voluntary amendments to agreements—Procedure when adoptive parties disagree.
Status: in_force

Voluntary amendments of any support agreement entered into pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and * 74.13.100 through 74.13.145 may be made at any time. In proposing any such amending action which relates to the amount or level of a payment or payments, the secretary shall, as provided in **RCW 74.13.124 , use either the standard which existed as of the date of the initial determination with respect to such agreement or any subsequent standard or parts of such standard which both parties to such agreement agree is more generous than those in effect as of the date of such initial agreement. If the parties do not agree to the level of support, the secretary shall set the level. The secretary shall give the adoptive parent or parents written notice of the determination. The adoptive parent or parents aggrieved by the secretary's determination have the right to an adjudicative proceeding. The proceeding is governed by RCW 74.08.080 and chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act.
RCW 74.39A.140 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 140
RCW 74.39A.140: Chore services—Employment of public assistance recipients.
Status: in_force

In developing the program set forth in *RCW 74.08.550 , the department shall, to the extent possible, and consistent with federal law, enlist the services of persons receiving grants under the provisions of chapter 74.08 RCW and chapter 74.12 RCW to carry out the services enumerated under **RCW 74.08.541 . To this end, the department shall establish appropriate rules and regulations designed to determine eligibility for employment under this section, as well as regulations designed to notify persons receiving such grants of eligibility for such employment. The department shall further establish a system of compensation to persons employed under the provisions of this section which provides that any grants they receive under chapter 74.08 RCW or chapter 74.12 RCW shall be diminished by such percentage of the compensation received under this section as the department shall establish by rules and regulations.
RCW 74.20.320 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 320
RCW 74.20.320: Custodian to remit support moneys when department has support obligation—Noncompliance.
Status: in_force

Whenever a custodian of children, or other person, receives support moneys paid to them which moneys are paid in whole or in part in satisfaction of a support obligation which has been assigned to the department pursuant to Title IV-A of the federal social security act as amended by the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996 or RCW 74.20.330 or to which the department is owed a debt pursuant to RCW 74.20A.030 , the moneys shall be remitted to the department within eight days of receipt by the custodian or other person. If not so remitted the custodian or other person shall be indebted to the department as a support debt in an amount equal to the amount of the support money received and not remitted. By not paying over the moneys to the department, a custodial parent or other person is deemed, without the necessity of signing any document, to have made an irrevocable assignment to the department of any support delinquency owed which is not already assigned to the department or to any support delinquency which may accrue in the future in an amount equal to the amount of support money retained. The department may utilize the collection procedures in chapter 74.20A RCW to collect the assigned delinquency to effect recoupment and satisfaction of the debt incurred by reason of the failure of the custodial parent or other person to remit. The department is also authorized to make a set-off to effect satisfaction of the debt by deduction from support moneys in its possession or in the possession of any clerk of the court or other forwarding agent which are paid to the custodial parent or other person for the satisfaction of any support delinquency. Nothing in this section authorizes the department to make set-off as to current support paid during the month for which the payment is due and owing.
RCW 74.20A.180 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 180
RCW 74.20A.180: Secretary may make demand, file and serve liens, when payments appear in jeopardy.
Status: in_force

If the secretary finds that the collection of any support debt, accrued under a support order, based upon subrogation or an authorization to enforce and collect under RCW 74.20A.030 , or assignment of, or a request for support enforcement services to enforce and collect the amount of support ordered by any support order is in jeopardy, the secretary may make a written demand under RCW 74.20A.040 for immediate payment of the support debt and, upon failure or refusal immediately to pay said support debt, may file and serve liens pursuant to RCW 74.20A.060 and 74.20A.070 , without regard to the twenty day period provided for in RCW 74.20A.040 : PROVIDED, That no further action under RCW 74.20A.080 , 74.20A.130 , and 74.20A.140 may be taken until the notice requirements of RCW 74.20A.040 are met.
RCW 74.38.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 38 / Section 020
RCW 74.38.020: Definitions.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meaning unless the content clearly requires otherwise: (1) "Area agency" means an agency, other than a state agency, designated by the department to carry out programs or services approved by the department in a designated geographical area of the state. (2) "Area plan" means the document submitted annually by an area agency to the department for approval which sets forth (a) goals and measurable objectives, (b) review of past expenditures and accounting of revenue for the previous year, (c) estimated revenue and expenditures for the ensuing year, and (d) the planning, coordination, administration, social services, and evaluation activities to be undertaken to carry out the purposes of the Older Americans Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. Sec. 3024 et seq.), as now or hereafter amended. (3) "Department" means the department of social and health services. (4) "Office" shall mean the office on aging which is the organizational unit within the department responsible for coordinating and administering aging problems. (5) "Eligible persons" means senior citizens who are: (a) Sixty-five years of age or more; or (b) Sixty years of age or more and are either (i) nonemployed, or (ii) employed for twenty hours per week or less; and (c) In need of services to enable them to remain in their customary homes because of physical, mental, or other debilitating impairments. (6) "Low income" means initial resources or subsequent income at or below forty percent of the state median income as promulgated by the secretary of the United States department of health, education and welfare for Title XX of the Social Security Act, or, in the alternative, a level determined by the department and approved by the legislature. (7) "Income" shall have the same meaning as in chapter 74.04 RCW, as now or hereafter amended; except, that money received from RCW 74.38.060 shall be excluded from this definition. (8) "Resource" shall have the same meaning as in chapter 74.04 RCW, as now or hereafter amended. (9) "Need" shall have the same meaning as in chapter 74.04 RCW, as now or hereafter amended.
RCW 74.15.180 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 180
RCW 74.15.180: Designating home or facility as semi-secure facility.
Status: in_force

The department, pursuant to rules, may enable any licensed foster family home or group care facility to be designated as a semi-secure facility, as defined by RCW 13.32A.030 .
RCW 74.42.280 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 280
RCW 74.42.280: Adverse drug reaction.
Status: in_force

Medication errors and adverse drug reactions shall be recorded and reported immediately to the practitioner who ordered the drug. The facility shall report adverse drug reactions consistent with good medical practice.
RCW 74.20A.280 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 280
RCW 74.20A.280: Department to respect privacy of recipients.
Status: in_force

While discharging its responsibilities to enforce the support obligations of responsible parents, the department shall respect the right of privacy of recipients of public assistance and of other persons. Any inquiry about sexual activity shall be limited to that necessary to identify and locate possible fathers and to gather facts needed in the adjudication of parentage.
RCW 74.18.050 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 050
RCW 74.18.050: Appointment of personnel.
Status: in_force

The director may appoint such personnel as necessary, none of whom shall be members of the rehabilitation council for the blind. The director and other personnel who are assigned substantial responsibility for formulating agency policy or directing and controlling a major administrative division, together with their confidential secretaries, up to a maximum of six persons, shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 41.06 RCW.
RCW 74.25A.070 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 25A / Section 070
RCW 74.25A.070: Program participants—Classification under federal job training law.
Status: in_force

Applicants for and recipients of aid under this chapter are "individuals in special need" of training as described in section 2 of the federal job training partnership act, 29 U.S.C. Sec. 1501 et seq., "individuals who require special assistance" as provided in section 123 of that act, and "most in need" of employment and training opportunities as described in section 141 of that act.
RCW 74.46.541 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 541
RCW 74.46.541: Skilled nursing facility safety net assessment—Reimbursement of medicaid share.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall establish a skilled nursing facility safety net assessment medicaid share pass-through or rate add-on to reimburse the medicaid share of the skilled nursing facility safety net assessment as a medicaid allowable cost consistent with RCW 74.48.030 . This add-on shall not be considered an allowable cost for future year cost rebasing. (2) As of July 1, 2011, supplemental payments to reimburse medicaid expenditures, including an amount to reimburse the medicaid share of the skilled nursing facility safety net assessment, not to exceed the annual medicare upper payment limit, must be provided for all years when the skilled nursing facility safety net assessment is levied, consistent with RCW 74.48.030 . These supplemental payments, at a minimum, must be sufficient to reimburse the medicaid share of the assessment for those paying the assessment. The part of these supplemental payments that reimburses the medicaid share of the assessment are not subject to the reconciliation and settlement process provided in RCW 74.46.022 (6).
RCW 74.39A.074 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 074
RCW 74.39A.074: Training requirements for long-term care workers—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Except for long-term care workers exempt from certification under RCW 18.88B.041 (1)(a), all persons hired as long-term care workers must meet the minimum training requirements in this section within one hundred twenty calendar days after the date of being hired. (b) Except as provided in RCW 74.39A.076 , the minimum training requirement is seventy-five hours of entry-level training approved by the department. A long-term care worker must successfully complete five of these seventy-five hours before being eligible to provide care. (c) Training required by (d) of this subsection applies toward the training required under RCW 18.20.270 or 70.128.230 or any statutory or regulatory training requirements for long-term care workers employed by community residential service businesses. (d) The seventy-five hours of entry-level training required shall be as follows: (i) Before a long-term care worker is eligible to provide care, he or she must complete: (A) Two hours of orientation training regarding his or her role as caregiver and the applicable terms of employment; and (B) Three hours of safety training, including basic safety precautions, emergency procedures, and infection control; and (ii) Seventy hours of long-term care basic training, including training related to: (A) Core competencies; and (B) Population specific competencies, including identification of individuals with potential hearing loss and how to seek assistance if hearing loss is suspected. (2) Only training curriculum approved by the department may be used to fulfill the training requirements specified in this section. The department shall only approve training curriculum that: (a) Has been developed with input from consumer and worker representatives; and (b) Requires comprehensive instruction by qualified instructors on the competencies and training topics in this section. (3) Individual providers under RCW 74.39A.270 shall be compensated for training time required by this section. (4) If a pandemic, natural disaster, or other declared state of emergency impacts the ability of long-term care workers to complete training as required by this section, the department may adopt rules to allow long-term care workers additional time to complete the training requirements. (a) Rules adopted under this subsection (4) are effective until the termination of the pandemic, natural disaster, or other declared state of emergency or until the department determines that all long-term care workers who were unable to complete the training required in subsection (1)(a) of this section have had adequate access to complete the required training, whichever is later. Once the department determines a rule adopted under this subsection (4) is no longer necessary, it must repeal the rule under RCW 34.05.353 . (b) Within 12 months of the termination of the pandemic, natural disaster, or other declared state of emergency, the department shall conduct a review of training compliance with subsection (1)(a) of this section and provide the legislature with a report. (5) The department shall adopt rules to implement this section.
RCW 74.08A.060 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 060
RCW 74.08A.060: Food stamp work requirements.
Status: in_force

Single adults without dependents between eighteen and fifty years of age shall comply with federal food stamp work requirements as a condition of eligibility. The department may exempt any counties or subcounty areas from the federal food stamp work requirements in P.L. 104-193, unless the department receives written evidence of official action by a county or subcounty governing entity, taken after noticed consideration, that indicates that a county or subcounty area chooses not to use an exemption to the federal food stamp work requirements.
RCW 74.42.640 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 640
RCW 74.42.640: Quality assurance committee.
Status: in_force

(1) To ensure the proper delivery of services and the maintenance and improvement in quality of care through self-review, each facility may maintain a quality assurance committee that, at a minimum, includes: (a) The director of nursing services; (b) A physician designated by the facility; and (c) Three other members from the staff of the facility. (2) When established, the quality assurance committee shall meet at least quarterly to identify issues that may adversely affect quality of care and services to residents and to develop and implement plans of action to correct identified quality concerns or deficiencies in the quality of care provided to residents. (3) To promote quality of care through self-review without the fear of reprisal, and to enhance the objectivity of the review process, the department shall not require, and the long-term care ombuds program shall not request, disclosure of any quality assurance committee records or reports, unless the disclosure is related to the committee's compliance with this section, if: (a) The records or reports are not maintained pursuant to statutory or regulatory mandate; and (b) The records or reports are created for and collected and maintained by the committee. (4) The department may request only information related to the quality assurance committee that may be necessary to determine whether a facility has a quality assurance committee and that it is operating in compliance with this section. (5) Good faith attempts by the committee to identify and correct quality deficiencies shall not be used as a basis for imposing sanctions. (6) If the facility offers the department documents generated by, or for, the quality assurance committee as evidence of compliance with nursing facility requirements, the documents are protected as quality assurance committee documents under subsections (7) and (9) of this section when in the possession of the department. The department is not liable for an inadvertent disclosure, a disclosure related to a required federal or state audit, or disclosure of documents incorrectly marked as quality assurance committee documents by the facility. (7) Information and documents, including the analysis of complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality assurance committee are not subject to discovery or introduction into evidence in any civil action, and no person who was in attendance at a meeting of such committee or who participated in the creation, collection, or maintenance of information or documents specifically for the committee shall be permitted or required to testify in any civil action as to the content of such proceedings or the documents and information prepared specifically for the committee. This subsection does not preclude: (a) In any civil action, the discovery of the identity of persons involved in the care that is the basis of the civil action whose involvement was independent of any quality improvement committee activity; and (b) in any civil action, the testimony of any person concerning the facts which form the basis for the institution of such proceedings of which the person had personal knowledge acquired independently of their participation in the quality assurance committee activities. (8) A quality assurance committee under subsection (1) of this section, RCW 18.20.390 , 70.41.200 , 4.24.250 , or 43.70.510 may share information and documents, including the analysis of complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, the committee, with one or more other quality assurance committees created under subsection (1) of this section, RCW 18.20.390 , 70.41.200 , 4.24.250 , or 43.70.510 for the improvement of the quality of care and services rendered to nursing facility residents. Information and documents disclosed by one quality assurance committee to another quality assurance committee and any information and documents created or maintained as a result of the sharing of information and documents shall not be subject to the discovery process and confidentiality shall be respected as required by subsections (7) and (9) of this section, RCW 18.20.390 (6) and (8), 43.70.510 (4), 70.41.200 (3), and 4.24.250 (1). The privacy protections of chapter 70.02 RCW and the federal health insurance portability and accountability act of 1996 and its implementing regulations apply to the sharing of individually identifiable patient information held by a coordinated quality improvement program. Any rules necessary to implement this section shall meet the requirements of applicable federal and state privacy laws. (9) Information and documents, including the analysis of complaints and incident reports, created specifically for, and collected and maintained by, a quality assurance committee are exempt from disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW. (10) Notwithstanding any records created for the quality assurance committee, the facility shall fully set forth in the resident's records, available to the resident, the department, and others as permitted by law, the facts concerning any incident of injury or loss to the resident, the steps taken by the facility to address the resident's needs, and the resident outcome. (11) A facility operated as part of a hospital licensed under chapter 70.41 RCW may maintain a quality assurance committee in accordance with this section which shall be subject to the provisions of subsections (1) through (10) of this section or may conduct quality improvement activities for the facility through a quality improvement committee under RCW 70.41.200 which shall be subject to the provisions of RCW 70.41.200 (9).
RCW 13.60.040 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 60 / Section 040
RCW 13.60.040: Children receiving services from department of children, youth, and families—Reporting by the department—Notification of child's whereabouts.
Status: in_force

The department of children, youth, and families shall develop a procedure for reporting missing children information to the missing children clearinghouse on children who are receiving departmental services in each of its administrative regions. The purpose of this procedure is to link parents to missing children. When the department has obtained information that a minor child has been located at a facility funded by the department, the department shall notify the clearinghouse and the child's legal custodian, advising the custodian of the child's whereabouts or that the child is subject to a dependency action. The department shall inform the clearinghouse when reunification occurs.The following hospitals are exempt from any assessment under this chapter provided that if and to the extent any exemption is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction or by the centers for medicare and medicaid services, hospitals previously exempted shall be liable for assessments due after the date of final invalidation: (1) Hospitals owned or operated by an agency of federal, state, or county government, including but not limited to western state hospital and eastern state hospital; (2) Designated public hospitals; (3) Hospitals owned or operated by health maintenance organizations under chapter 48.46 RCW; and (4) Long-term acute care hospitals.
RCW 74.12A.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12A / Section 020
RCW 74.12A.020: Job support services—Grants to community action agencies or nonprofit organizations.
Status: in_force

The department shall provide grants to community action agencies or other local nonprofit organizations to provide job opportunities and basic skills training program participants with transitional support services, one-to-one assistance, case management, and job retention services.
RCW 74.13A.070 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 070
RCW 74.13A.070: Recommendations for support of the adoption of certain children.
Status: in_force

Any supervising agency or person having a child in foster care or institutional care and wishing to recommend to the secretary support of the adoption of such child as provided for in RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 may do so, and may include in its or his or her recommendation advice as to the appropriate level of support and any other information likely to assist the secretary in carrying out the functions vested in the secretary by RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 . Such agency may, but is not required to, be retained by the secretary to make the required preplacement study of the prospective adoptive parent or parents.
RCW 74.20.240 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 240
RCW 74.20.240: Petition for support order by married parent with minor children who are receiving public assistance—Order—Powers of court.
Status: in_force

(1) After the hearing of the petition for an order of support the court shall make an order granting or denying it and fixing, if allowed, the terms and amount of the support. (2) The court has the same power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of testimony as in actions and suits, to make such decree or orders as are equitable in view of the circumstances of both parties and to punish violations thereof as other contempts are punished.
RCW 74.04.062 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 062
RCW 74.04.062: Disclosure of recipient location to police officer or immigration official.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) Upon written request of a person who has been properly identified as an officer of the law or a properly identified United States immigration official the department or authority shall disclose to such officer the current address and location of a recipient of public welfare if the officer furnishes the department or authority with such person's name and social security account number and satisfactorily demonstrates that such recipient is a fugitive, that the location or apprehension of such fugitive is within the officer's official duties, and that the request is made in the proper exercise of those duties. (b) When the department or authority becomes aware that a public assistance recipient is the subject of an outstanding warrant, the department or authority may contact the appropriate law enforcement agency and, if the warrant is valid, provide the law enforcement agency with the location of the recipient. (2) To the extent allowed under federal law, upon written request of a law enforcement officer from a state, local, or tribal law enforcement agency, the department or authority shall disclose to such officer whether the recipient has accessed his or her public assistance benefits in the last 30 days for the purpose of assisting the officer in confirming whether the recipient is alive if the recipient is the subject of a missing person's report as described in RCW 36.28A.120 . For purposes of this section, "law enforcement officer" and "law enforcement agency" have the same meaning as defined in RCW 10.122.020 .
RCW 74.39A.380 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 380
RCW 74.39A.380: Internal quality review and accountability program for residential care services—Quality assurance panel—Report.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to funding provided for this specific purpose, the department of social and health services shall develop for phased-in implementation a statewide internal quality review and accountability program for residential care services. The program must be designed to enable the department to improve the accountability of staff and the consistent application of investigative activities across all long-term care settings, and must allow the systematic monitoring and evaluation of long-term care licensing and certification. The program must be designed to improve and standardize investigative outcomes for the vulnerable individuals at risk of abuse and neglect, and coordinate outcomes across the department to prevent perpetrators from changing settings and continuing to work with vulnerable adults. (2) The department shall convene a quality assurance panel to review problems in the quality of care in adult family homes and to reduce incidents of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation. The state's long-term care ombuds shall chair the panel and identify appropriate stakeholders to participate. The panel must consider inspection, investigation, public complaint, and enforcement issues that relate to adult family homes. The panel must also focus on oversight issues to address de minimis violations, processes for handling unresolved citations, and better ways to oversee new providers. The panel shall meet at least quarterly, and provide a report with recommendations to the governor's office, the senate health and long-term care committee, and the house of representatives health and wellness committee by December 1, 2012.
RCW 74.18.090 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 090
RCW 74.18.090: Rehabilitation council for the blind—Powers.
Status: in_force

The rehabilitation council for the blind may: (1) Provide counsel to the director in developing, reviewing, making recommendations, and agreeing on the department's state plan for vocational rehabilitation, budget requests, permanent rules concerning services to blind persons, and other major policies which impact the quality or quantity of services for blind persons; (2) Undertake annual reviews with the director of the needs of blind persons, the effectiveness of the services and priorities of the department to meet those needs, and the measures that could be taken to improve the department's services; (3) Annually make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on issues related to the department, other state agencies, or state laws which have a significant effect on the opportunities, services, or rights of blind persons; (4) Advise and make recommendations to the governor on the criteria and qualifications pertinent to the selection of the director; (5) Perform additional functions as required by the federal rehabilitation act of 1973 as now or hereafter amended.
RCW 74.60.090 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 60 / Section 090
RCW 74.60.090: Medicaid directed payment program.
Status: in_force

(1) In consultation with the Washington state hospital association, the authority shall design and implement a medicaid directed payment program, consistent with 42 C.F.R. Sec. 438.6(c), intended to promote access to high quality inpatient and outpatient care provided by designated public hospitals to medicaid beneficiaries enrolled in managed care organizations. (2) The directed payment program described in subsection (1) of this section shall promote access and improve the equitable distribution of care to underserved populations by increasing payments to managed care organizations for the purpose of increasing reimbursement of designated public hospitals for inpatient and outpatient services provided to managed care enrollees, to 95 percent of the centers for medicare and medicaid services allowable limit, plus an estimated amount to support each eligible hospital's participation in the quality incentive program under RCW 74.09.611 , which shall be allocated solely to eligible designated public hospitals pursuant to RCW 74.60.020 (4)(f). The authority shall share its federal limit calculations with the Washington state hospital association. (3) Payments to individual managed care organizations shall be determined by the authority based on each managed care organization's payments made to designated public hospitals for medicaid inpatient and outpatient services. The authority shall make this determination in consultation with the Washington state hospital association. (4) Managed care organizations shall make directed payments described in this section to designated public hospitals within 21 calendar days of receiving the full amount of funds from the authority. (5) The managed care organization payments made pursuant to this section shall be derived from intergovernmental transfers voluntarily made by, and accepted from, designated public hospitals. (a) Participation in the intergovernmental transfers used to fund the program described by this section is voluntary on the part of transferring entities for the purposes of all applicable federal laws. (b) All funds associated with intergovernmental transfers made and accepted pursuant to this section must be used either to fund additional managed care organization payments under this section to benefit designated public hospitals or, for those designated public hospitals determined to be eligible for payment under RCW 74.09.611 , for deposit into the hospital safety net assessment fund established under RCW 74.60.020 solely for the purpose of providing funding, under RCW 74.60.020 (4)(f), for payments to designated public hospitals eligible for payment under RCW 74.09.611 . (c) Medicaid managed care organizations shall pay on a quarterly basis 100 percent of any payments made pursuant to this section to designated public hospitals, less an allowance for premium taxes the organization is required to pay under Title 48 RCW, for the purpose of promoting access and increasing the quality of care delivered to medicaid enrollees. (6) The intergovernmental transfers associated with the direct payments described in this section shall be collected by the authority within a reasonable time frame in relation to the date on which the state is required to furnish each hospital's nonfederal share of expenditures pursuant to the program described by this section and approved by the centers for medicare and medicaid services or after a determination of eligibility is made, for the program described under RCW 74.09.611 . (7) As a condition of participation under this section, medicaid managed care organizations and designated public hospitals shall: (a) Agree to comply with any requests for information or similar data requirements imposed by the authority for purposes of obtaining supporting documentation necessary to claim federal funds or to obtain federal approvals; and (b) Agree to participate in and provide requested data associated with payment arrangement quality strategy goals and objectives identified by the approved program. (8) This section shall be implemented only if and to the extent federal financial participation is available and is not otherwise jeopardized, and any necessary federal approvals have been obtained. (9) To the extent that the director determines that the payments made pursuant to this section do not comply with federal medicaid requirements, the director retains the discretion to return or not accept all or a portion of an intergovernmental transfer, and may adjust payments pursuant to this section as necessary to comply with federal medicaid requirements. (10) Conditioned upon required federal approvals, the directed payments under this section shall commence January 1, 2024. If federal approval is obtained after January 1, 2024, the payments shall commence within 30 calendar days following the approval.
RCW 74.09.670 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 670
RCW 74.09.670: Medical assistance benefits—Incarcerated or committed persons—Suspension.
Status: in_force

(1) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, when the authority receives information that a person enrolled in medical assistance is confined in a setting in which federal financial participation is disallowed by the state's agreements with the federal government, the authority shall suspend, rather than terminate, medical assistance benefits for these persons, including those who are: Incarcerated in a correctional facility as defined in RCW 72.09.015 and 70.48.020 , confined in an institution or facility operated by the department of children, youth, and families, or committed to a state hospital or other treatment facility. A person who is not currently enrolled in medical assistance must be allowed to apply for medical assistance in suspense status during confinement, and the ability to apply may not depend upon knowledge of the release or discharge date of the person. (2)(a) During the first 29 days of a person's incarceration or confinement in a correctional facility, as defined in RCW 72.09.015 and 70.48.020 , or in an institution or facility operated by the department of children, youth, and families: (i) A person's incarceration or confinement status may not affect the person's enrollment in medical assistance if the person was enrolled in medical assistance at the time of incarceration or confinement; and (ii) A person not enrolled in medical assistance at the time of incarceration or confinement must have the ability to apply for medical assistance during incarceration or confinement, which may not depend on knowledge of the release date of the person. If the person is enrolled in medical assistance during the first 29 days of the person's incarceration or confinement, the person's incarceration or confinement status may not affect the person's enrollment in medical assistance. (b) After the first 29 days of the person's incarceration or confinement, the person's medical assistance status is subject to suspension or application in suspense status under subsection (1) of this section.
RCW 74.13.715 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 715
RCW 74.13.715: Family connections program—Report to legislature.
Status: in_force

(1) Within available funding, the department shall contract with an external organization or organizations with experience serving youth or families receiving out-of-home care services to implement and operate the family connections program, which facilitates interaction between a parent of a child found to be dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW and in out-of-home care and the individual with whom the child is placed. (2) The external organization or organizations contracted to implement and operate the family connections program shall implement and operate the family connections program in one or more locations west of the crest of the Cascade mountains, and one or more locations east of the crest of the Cascade mountains. (3) Families may be referred to the family connections program in any manner determined to be appropriate by the family connections program, including but not limited to a referral by: (a) A caseworker; (b) An attorney; (c) A guardian ad litem as defined in RCW 13.34.030 ; (d) A parent ally; (e) An office of public defense social worker; (f) The court; or (g) The parent or caregiver. (4) After receiving a referral, the family connections program shall determine whether an in-person meeting between a parent of a child found to be dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW and in out-of-home care and the individual with whom the child is placed is appropriate. If the family connections program determines that such a meeting is appropriate, the family connections program shall then determine whether: (a) The parent of a child found to be dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW and in out-of-home care and the individual with whom the child is placed are willing to participate in an in-person meeting; and (b) Safety concerns exist such that an in-person meeting should not occur. (5) If the family connections program determines that an in-person meeting should occur following the analysis required by subsection (4) of this section, the family connections program shall provide a referral to the family connections program team. The family connections program team shall include a parent ally and an experienced caregiver. After receiving a referral, the family connections program team shall: (a) Ensure that the parent ally contact the parent to prepare for an in-person meeting between the parent and caregiver; (b) Ensure that the experienced caregiver contact the caregiver to prepare for an in-person meeting between the parent and caregiver; (c) Convene an in-person meeting between the parent and caregiver; and (d) Provide ongoing support to the parent and caregiver following the in-person meeting. (6) If the family connections program determines that an in-person meeting should not occur following the analysis required under subsection (4) of this section, the family connections program team shall facilitate the exchange of information between the parent and caregiver in an appropriate manner that does not include an in-person meeting. The format of this exchange of information may include written messages, phone calls, or videoconferencing. The family connections program shall routinely reevaluate whether an in-person meeting should occur using the analysis required under subsection (4) of this section. (7) The department shall collect data and measure outcomes for families engaging in the family connections program. By September 1, 2021, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036 , the department shall submit a report to the relevant committees of the legislature that details: (a) Data collected for the family connections program; (b) Outcomes for families engaging in the family connections program; and (c) The department's plan on how to expand the family connections program statewide. (8) The definitions in this subsection apply throughout this section: (a) "Experienced caregiver" means: (i) An individual who is or has received a foster family home license pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or an equivalent license from another state; or (ii) An individual who cared for a child who was removed from his or her parent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW and who has a kin relationship to that child pursuant to RCW 74.13.600 . (b) "Parent ally" has the same meaning as provided in RCW 2.70.060 .
RCW 74.25A.040 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 25A / Section 040
RCW 74.25A.040: Diversion of grants to worker-owned businesses.
Status: in_force

Grants may be diverted for the start-up or retention of worker-owned businesses if: (1) A feasibility study or business plan is completed on the proposed business; and (2) The project is approved by the loan committee of the *Washington state development loan fund as created by RCW 43.168.110 .
RCW 74.09.050 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 050
RCW 74.09.050: Director's powers and duties—Personnel—Medical screeners—Medical director.
Status: in_force

(1) The director shall appoint such professional personnel and other assistants and employees, including professional medical screeners, as may be reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter or other applicable law. The medical screeners shall be supervised by one or more physicians who shall be appointed by the director or his or her designee. The director shall appoint a medical director who is licensed under chapter 18.57 or 18.71 RCW. (2) Whenever the director's authority is not specifically limited by law, he or she has complete charge and supervisory powers over the authority. The director is authorized to create such administrative structures as deemed appropriate, except as otherwise specified by law. The director has the power to employ such assistants and personnel as may be necessary for the general administration of the authority. Except as elsewhere specified, such employment must be in accordance with the rules of the state civil service law, chapter 41.06 RCW.
RCW 74.42.110 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 110
RCW 74.42.110: Freedom of association—Limits.
Status: in_force

Residents shall be allowed to communicate, associate, meet privately with individuals of their choice, and participate in social, religious, and community group activities unless this infringes on the rights of other residents.
RCW 74.12.255 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 255
RCW 74.12.255: Teen applicants' living situation—Criteria—Presumption—Protective payee—Adoption referral.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall determine, after consideration of all relevant factors and in consultation with the applicant, the most appropriate living situation for applicants under eighteen years of age, unmarried, and either pregnant or having a dependent child or children in the applicant's care. An appropriate living situation shall include a place of residence that is maintained by the applicant's parents, parent, legal guardian, or other adult relative as their or his or her own home and that the department finds would provide an appropriate supportive living arrangement. It also includes a living situation maintained by an agency that is licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW that the department finds would provide an appropriate supportive living arrangement. Grant assistance shall not be provided under this chapter if the applicant does not reside in the most appropriate living situation, as determined by the department. (2) An unmarried minor parent or pregnant minor applicant residing in the most appropriate living situation, as provided under subsection (1) of this section, is presumed to be unable to manage adequately the funds paid to the minor or on behalf of the dependent child or children and, unless the minor provides sufficient evidence to rebut the presumption, shall be subject to the protective payee requirements provided for under RCW 74.12.250 and 74.08.280 . (3) The department shall consider any statements or opinions by either parent of the unmarried minor parent or pregnant minor applicant as to an appropriate living situation for the minor and his or her children, whether in the parental home or other situation. If the parents or a parent of the minor request, they or he or she shall be entitled to a hearing in juvenile court regarding designation of the parental home or other relative placement as the most appropriate living situation for the pregnant or parenting minor. The department shall provide the parents or parent with the opportunity to make a showing that the parental home, or home of the other relative placement, is the most appropriate living situation. It shall be presumed in any administrative or judicial proceeding conducted under this subsection that the parental home or other relative placement requested by the parents or parent is the most appropriate living situation. This presumption is rebuttable. (4) In cases in which the minor is unmarried and unemployed, the department shall, as part of the determination of the appropriate living situation, make an affirmative effort to provide current and positive information about adoption including referral to community-based organizations for counseling and provide information about the manner in which adoption works, its benefits for unmarried, unemployed minor parents and their children, and the meaning and availability of open adoption. (5) For the purposes of this section, "most appropriate living situation" shall not include a living situation including an adult male who fathered the qualifying child and is found to meet the elements of rape of a child as set forth in RCW 9A.44.079 .
RCW 74.42.060 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 060
RCW 74.42.060: Management of residents' financial affairs.
Status: in_force

The facility shall allow a resident or the resident's guardian to manage the resident's financial affairs. The facility may assist a resident in the management of his or her financial affairs if the resident requests assistance in writing and the facility complies with the recordkeeping requirements of RCW 74.42.130 and the provisions of *chapter . . . (Senate Bill No. 2335), Laws of 1979.
RCW 74.04.350 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 350
RCW 74.04.350: Federal surplus commodities—Not to be construed as public assistance, eligibility not affected.
Status: in_force

Federal surplus commodities shall not be deemed or construed to be public assistance and care or a substitute, in whole or in part, therefor; and the receipt of such commodities by eligible families and individuals shall not subject them, their legally responsible relatives, their property, or their estates to any demand, claim, or liability on account thereof. A person's need or eligibility for public assistance or care shall not be affected by his or her receipt of federal surplus commodities.
RCW 74.13.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 020
RCW 74.13.020: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Case management" means convening family meetings, developing, revising, and monitoring implementation of any case plan or individual service and safety plan, coordinating and monitoring services needed by the child and family, caseworker-child visits, family visits, and the assumption of court-related duties, excluding legal representation, including preparing court reports, attending judicial hearings and permanency hearings, and ensuring that the child is progressing toward permanency within state and federal mandates, including the Indian child welfare act. (2) "Certificate of parental improvement" means a certificate issued under RCW 74.13.720 to an individual who has a founded finding of physical abuse or negligent treatment or maltreatment, or a court finding that the individual's child was dependent as a result of a finding that the individual abused or neglected their child pursuant to RCW 13.34.030 (6)(b). (3) "Child" means: (a) A person less than eighteen years of age; or (b) A person age eighteen to twenty-one years who is eligible to receive the extended foster care services authorized under RCW 74.13.031 . (4) "Child protective services" has the same meaning as in RCW 26.44.020 . (5) "Child welfare services" means social services including voluntary and in-home services, out-of-home care, case management, and adoption services which strengthen, supplement, or substitute for, parental care and supervision for the purpose of: (a) Preventing or remedying, or assisting in the solution of problems which may result in families in conflict, or the neglect, abuse, exploitation, or criminal behavior of children; (b) Protecting and caring for dependent, abused, or neglected children; (c) Assisting children who are in conflict with their parents, and assisting parents who are in conflict with their children, with services designed to resolve such conflicts; (d) Protecting and promoting the welfare of children, including the strengthening of their own homes where possible, or, where needed; (e) Providing adequate care of children away from their homes in foster family homes or day care or other child care agencies or facilities. "Child welfare services" does not include child protection services. (6) "Child who is a candidate for foster care" means a child who the department identifies as being at imminent risk of entering foster care but who can remain safely in the child's home or in a kinship placement as long as services or programs that are necessary to prevent entry of the child into foster care are provided, and includes but is not limited to a child whose adoption or guardianship arrangement is at risk of a disruption or dissolution that would result in a foster care placement. The term includes a child for whom there is reasonable cause to believe that any of the following circumstances exist: (a) The child has been abandoned by the parent as defined in RCW 13.34.030 and the child's health, safety, and welfare is seriously endangered as a result; (b) The child has been abused or neglected as defined in chapter 26.44 RCW and the child's health, safety, and welfare is seriously endangered as a result; (c) There is no parent capable of meeting the child's needs such that the child is in circumstances that constitute a serious danger to the child's development; (d) The child is otherwise at imminent risk of harm. (7) "Department" means the department of children, youth, and families. (8) "Extended foster care services" means residential and other support services the department is authorized to provide to dependent children. These services include, but are not limited to, placement in licensed, relative, or otherwise approved care, or supervised independent living settings; assistance in meeting basic needs; independent living services; medical assistance; supervised independent living subsidy; and counseling or treatment. (9) "Family assessment" means a comprehensive assessment of child safety, risk of subsequent child abuse or neglect, and family strengths and needs that is applied to a child abuse or neglect report. Family assessment does not include a determination as to whether child abuse or neglect occurred, but does determine the need for services to address the safety of the child and the risk of subsequent maltreatment. (10) "Medical condition" means, for the purposes of qualifying for extended foster care services, a physical or mental health condition as documented by any licensed health care provider regulated by a disciplining authority under RCW 18.130.040 . (11) "Nonminor dependent" means any individual age 18 to 21 years who is participating in extended foster care services authorized under RCW 74.13.031 . (12) "Out-of-home care services" means services provided after the shelter care hearing to or for children in out-of-home care, as that term is defined in RCW 13.34.030 , and their families, including the recruitment, training, and management of foster parents, the recruitment of adoptive families, and the facilitation of the adoption process, family reunification, independent living, emergency shelter, residential group care, and foster care, including relative placement. (13) "Performance-based contracting" means the structuring of all aspects of the procurement of services around the purpose of the work to be performed and the desired results with the contract requirements set forth in clear, specific, and objective terms with measurable outcomes. Contracts shall also include provisions that link the performance of the contractor to the level and timing of reimbursement. (14) "Permanency services" means long-term services provided to secure a child's safety, permanency, and well-being, including foster care services, family reunification services, adoption services, and preparation for independent living services. (15) "Prevention and family services and programs" means specific mental health prevention and treatment services, substance abuse prevention and treatment services, and in-home parent skill-based programs that qualify for federal funding under the federal family first prevention services act, P.L. 115-123. For purposes of this chapter, prevention and family services and programs are not remedial services or family reunification services as described in RCW 13.34.025 (2). (16) "Primary prevention services" means services which are designed and delivered for the primary purpose of enhancing child and family well-being and are shown, by analysis of outcomes, to reduce the risk to the likelihood of the initial need for child welfare services. (17) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department. (18) "Supervised independent living setting" includes, but is not limited to, apartment living, room and board arrangements, college or university dormitories, and shared roommate settings. Supervised independent living settings must be approved by the department or the court. (19) "Supervised independent living subsidy" means a foster care maintenance payment. (20) "Unsupervised" has the same meaning as in RCW 43.43.830 . (21) "Voluntary placement agreement" has, for the purposes of extended foster care services, the same meaning as in RCW 74.13.336 .
RCW 74.12.260 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 260
RCW 74.12.260: Persons to whom grants shall be made—Proof of use for benefit of children.
Status: in_force

Temporary assistance for needy families grants shall be made to persons specified in RCW 74.12.010 as amended or such others as the federal department of health, education and welfare shall recognize for the sole purposes of giving benefits to the children whose needs are included in the grant paid to such persons. The recipient of each temporary assistance for needy families grant shall be and hereby is required to present reasonable proof to the department of social and health services as often as may be required by the department that all funds received in the form of a temporary assistance for needy families grant for the children represented in the grant are being spent for the benefit of the children.
RCW 74.04.680 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 680
RCW 74.04.680: Cash benefits in final month of eligibility.
Status: in_force

(1) To assist with family-related expenses, households with children receiving food benefits under this title, who are not simultaneously receiving temporary assistance for needy families, are eligible to receive a one-time state-funded cash benefit in the final month of eligibility when the household's food benefits terminate due to exceeding the gross income limit or when the household requests voluntary closure. (2) For households receiving a cash benefit under subsection (1) of this section, the department shall provide transitional food assistance for a period of five months when eligibility for food benefits ceases due to exceeding the gross income limit or when the household requests voluntary closure. (3) If necessary, the department shall extend the household's food benefit certification until the end of the transition period. (4) The amount of the cash benefit issued by the department under subsection (1) of this section must be set in accordance with available funds appropriated for this purpose.
RCW 74.20A.230 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 230
RCW 74.20A.230: Employee debtor rights protected—Remedies.
Status: in_force

No employer shall discharge or discipline an employee or refuse to hire a person for reason that an assignment of earnings has been presented in settlement of a support debt or that a support lien or order to withhold and deliver has been served against said employee's earnings. If an employer discharges or disciplines an employee or refuses to hire a person in violation of this section, the employee or person shall have a cause of action against the employer. The employer shall be liable for double the amount of lost wages and any other damages suffered as a result of the violation and for costs and reasonable attorney fees, and shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars for each violation. The employer may also be ordered to hire, rehire, or reinstate the aggrieved individual.
RCW 74.31.070 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 31 / Section 070
RCW 74.31.070: Statewide response to traumatic brain injuries suffered by domestic violence survivors—Recommendations—Educational handout—Website.
Status: in_force

(1) The department, in consultation with the council and at least one representative of a community-based domestic violence program and one medical professional with experience treating survivors of domestic violence, shall develop recommendations to improve the statewide response to traumatic brain injuries suffered by domestic violence survivors. In developing recommendations, the department may consider the creation of an educational handout, to be updated on a periodic basis, regarding traumatic brain injury to be provided to victims of domestic violence. The handout may include the information and screening tool described in subsection (2) of this section. (2)(a) The department, in consultation with the council, shall establish and recommend or develop content for a statewide website for victims of domestic violence to include: (i) An explanation of the potential for domestic abuse to lead to traumatic brain injury; (ii) Information on recognizing cognitive, behavioral, and physical symptoms of traumatic brain injury as well as potential impacts to a person's emotional well-being and mental health; (iii) A self-screening tool for traumatic brain injury; and (iv) Recommendations for persons with traumatic brain injury to help address or cope with the injury. (b) The department must update the website created under this subsection on a periodic basis.
RCW 74.20A.330 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 330
RCW 74.20A.330: License suspension—Agreements between department and licensing entities—Identification of responsible parents.
Status: in_force

(1) The department and all of the various licensing entities subject to RCW 74.20A.320 shall enter into such agreements as are necessary to carry out the requirements of the license suspension program established in RCW 74.20A.320 . (2) The department and all licensing entities subject to RCW 74.20A.320 shall compare data to identify responsible parents who may be subject to the provisions of chapter 58, Laws of 1997. The comparison may be conducted electronically, or by any other means that is jointly agreeable between the department and the particular licensing entity. The data shared shall be limited to those items necessary to [for] implementation of chapter 58, Laws of 1997. The purpose of the comparison shall be to identify current licensees who are not in compliance with a child support order, and to provide to the department the following information regarding those licensees: (a) Name; (b) Date of birth; (c) Address of record; (d) Federal employer identification number and social security number; (e) Type of license; (f) Effective date of license or renewal; (g) Expiration date of license; and (h) Active or inactive status.
RCW 74.09.672 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 672
RCW 74.09.672: Inmates of a public institution—Exclusion from medicaid coverage—Work release and partial confinement programs.
Status: in_force

It is the understanding of the legislature that persons participating in a work release program or other partial confinement programs at the state, county, or city level which allow regular freedom during the day to pursue rehabilitative community activities such as participation in work, treatment, or medical care should not be considered "inmates of a public institution" for the purposes of exclusion from medicaid coverage under the social security act. The authority is instructed to obtain any permissions from the federal government necessary to confirm this understanding, and report back to the governor and relevant committees of the legislature.
RCW 74.20A.057 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 057
RCW 74.20A.057: Jurisdiction over responsible parent.
Status: in_force

A support obligation arising under the statutes or common law of this state binds the responsible parent, present in this state, regardless of the presence or residence of the custodian or children. The obligor is presumed to have been present in the state of Washington during the period for which support is sought until otherwise shown. The department may establish an administrative order pursuant to RCW 74.20A.055 that is based upon any support obligation imposed or imposable under the statutes or common law of any state in which the obligor was present during the period for which support is sought.
RCW 36.39.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39 / Section 010
RCW 36.39.010: Public assistance.
Status: in_force

Public assistance generally, see Title 74 RCW.A valuable option available to Washington state to achieve the goals of RCW 74.39.001 and 74.39.005 is the flexibility in personal care and other long-term care services encouraged by the federal government under Title XIX of the federal social security act. These services include options to expand community-based long-term care services, such as adult family homes, congregate care facilities, respite, chore services, hospice, and case management.
RCW 74.04.005 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 005
RCW 74.04.005: Definitions—Eligibility.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this title, unless the context indicates otherwise, the following definitions shall apply: (1) "Aged, blind, or disabled assistance program" means the program established under RCW 74.62.030 . (2) "Applicant" means any person who has made a request, or on behalf of whom a request has been made, to any county or local office for assistance. (3) "Authority" means the health care authority. (4) "County or local office" means the administrative office for one or more counties or designated service areas. (5) "Department" means the department of social and health services. (6) "Director" means the director of the health care authority. (7) "Essential needs and housing support program" means the program established in RCW 43.185C.220 . (8) "Federal aid assistance" means the specific categories of assistance for which provision is made in any federal law existing or hereafter passed by which payments are made from the federal government to the state in aid or in respect to payment by the state for public assistance rendered to any category of needy persons for which provision for federal funds or aid may from time to time be made, or a federally administered needs-based program. (9) "Income" means: (a) All appreciable gains in real or personal property (cash or kind) or other assets, which are received by or become available for use and enjoyment by an applicant or recipient during the month of application or after applying for or receiving public assistance. The department may by rule and regulation exempt income received by an applicant for or recipient of public assistance which can be used by him or her to decrease his or her need for public assistance or to aid in rehabilitating him or her or his or her dependents, but such exemption shall not, unless otherwise provided in this title, exceed the exemptions of resources granted under this chapter to an applicant for public assistance. In addition, for cash assistance the department may disregard income pursuant to RCW 74.08A.230 and 74.12.350 . (b) If, under applicable federal requirements, the state has the option of considering property in the form of lump sum compensatory awards or related settlements received by an applicant or recipient as income or as a resource, the department shall consider such property to be a resource. (10) "Need" means the difference between the applicant's or recipient's standards of assistance for himself or herself and the dependent members of his or her family, as measured by the standards of the department, and value of all nonexempt resources and nonexempt income received by or available to the applicant or recipient and the dependent members of his or her family. (11) "Public assistance" or "assistance" means public aid to persons in need thereof for any cause, including services, medical care, assistance grants, disbursing orders, work relief, benefits under RCW 74.62.030 and 43.185C.220 , and federal aid assistance. (12) "Recipient" means any person receiving assistance and in addition those dependents whose needs are included in the recipient's assistance. (13) "Resource" means any asset, tangible or intangible, owned by or available to the applicant at the time of application, which can be applied toward meeting the applicant's need, either directly or by conversion into money or its equivalent. The department may by rule designate resources that an applicant may retain and not be ineligible for public assistance because of such resources. Exempt resources shall include, but are not limited to: (a) A home that an applicant, recipient, or their dependents is living in, including the surrounding property; (b) Household furnishings and personal effects; (c) One motor vehicle, other than a motor home, that is used and useful; (d) A motor vehicle necessary to transport a household member with a physical disability. This exclusion is limited to one vehicle per person with a physical disability; (e) Retirement funds, pension plans, and retirement accounts; (f) All other resources, including any excess of values exempted, not to exceed $12,000 or other limit as set by the department, to be consistent with limitations on resources and exemptions necessary for federal aid assistance; (g) Applicants for or recipients of benefits under RCW 74.62.030 and referrals under RCW 74.04.805 shall have their eligibility based on resource limitations consistent with the temporary assistance for needy families program rules adopted by the department; and (h) If an applicant for or recipient of public assistance possesses property and belongings in excess of the ceiling value, such value shall be used in determining the need of the applicant or recipient, except that: (i) The department may exempt resources or income when the income and resources are determined necessary to the applicant's or recipient's restoration to independence, to decrease the need for public assistance, or to aid in rehabilitating the applicant or recipient or a dependent of the applicant or recipient; and (ii) the department may provide grant assistance for a period not to exceed nine months from the date the agreement is signed pursuant to this section to persons who are otherwise ineligible because of excess real property owned by such persons when they are making a good faith effort to dispose of that property if: (A) The applicant or recipient signs an agreement to repay the lesser of the amount of aid received or the net proceeds of such sale; (B) If the owner of the excess property ceases to make good faith efforts to sell the property, the entire amount of assistance may become an overpayment and a debt due the state and may be recovered pursuant to RCW 43.20B.630 ; (C) Applicants and recipients are advised of their right to a fair hearing and afforded the opportunity to challenge a decision that good faith efforts to sell have ceased, prior to assessment of an overpayment under this section; and (D) At the time assistance is authorized, the department files a lien without a sum certain on the specific property. (14) "Secretary" means the secretary of social and health services. (15) "Standards of assistance" means the level of income required by an applicant or recipient to maintain a level of living specified by the department. (16)(a) "Victim of human trafficking" means a noncitizen and any qualifying family members who have: (i) Filed or are preparing to file an application for T nonimmigrant status with the appropriate federal agency pursuant to 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(15)(T), as it existed on January 1, 2020; (ii) Filed or are preparing to file an application with the appropriate federal agency for status pursuant to 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(15)(U), as it existed on January 1, 2020; or (iii) Been harmed by either any violation of chapter 9A.40 or 9.68A RCW, or both, or by substantially similar crimes under federal law or the laws of any other state, and who: (A) Are otherwise taking steps to meet the conditions for federal benefits eligibility under 22 U.S.C. Sec. 7105, as it existed on January 1, 2020; or (B) Have filed or are preparing to file an application with the appropriate federal agency for status under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1158. (b)(i) "Qualifying family member" means: (A) A victim's spouse and children; and (B) When the victim is under 21 years of age, a victim's parents and unmarried siblings under the age of 18. (ii) "Qualifying family member" does not include a family member who has been charged with or convicted of attempt, conspiracy, solicitation, or commission of any crime referenced in this subsection or described under 8 U.S.C. Sec. 1101(a)(15)(T) or (U) as either existed on January 1, 2020, when the crime is against a spouse who is a victim of human trafficking or against the child of a victim of human trafficking. (17) For purposes of determining eligibility for public assistance and participation levels in the cost of medical care, the department shall exempt restitution payments made to people of Japanese and Aleut ancestry pursuant to the Civil Liberties Act of 1988 and the Aleutian and Pribilof Island Restitution Act passed by congress, P.L. 100-383, including all income and resources derived therefrom. (18) In the construction of words and phrases used in this title, the singular number shall include the plural, the masculine gender shall include both the feminine and neuter genders, and the present tense shall include the past and future tenses, unless the context thereof shall clearly indicate to the contrary.
RCW 74.13.720 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 720
RCW 74.13.720: Certificates of parental improvement—Issuance—Standards—Rules—Liability.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall develop and implement a process by which an individual who is the subject of a founded finding of negligent treatment or maltreatment or physical abuse as defined in RCW 26.44.020 or by rule or an individual whose child was found by a court to be dependent as a result of a finding that the individual abused or neglected their child pursuant to RCW 13.34.030 (6)(b) may request the secretary issue a certificate of parental improvement. (2) The secretary shall respond to a request for a certificate of parental improvement and notify the requestor of the secretary's determination to issue or deny that request within sixty days of the receipt of a complete request. (3) The secretary shall issue a certificate of parental improvement if, on a more probable than not basis, the requestor has the character, suitability, and competence to care for children and meets the other requirements of this section. (4) The secretary may not issue a certificate of parental improvement to any individual if: (a) Fewer than five years have passed since the requestor's last founded finding of child abuse or neglect as defined in RCW 26.44.020 ; (b) Fewer than two years have passed since the secretary's denial of an individual's request for a certificate of parental improvement; (c) The requestor has a final founded finding for sexual abuse, sexual exploitation, or physical abuse if the conduct that was the basis for the physical abuse finding involved cutting, burning, interfering with a child's breathing, shaking a child under three, or threatening a child with a deadly weapon; (d) The requestor has any conviction or pending criminal investigation for: (i) Any felony offense involving the physical neglect of a child under chapter 9A.42 RCW; (ii) Any felony offense under chapter 9A.32 or 9A.36 RCW involving a physical injury or death of a child; (iii) Any felony domestic violence offense committed against a family or household member as defined in chapter 10.99 RCW; (iv) A felony offense against a child under chapter 9.68A RCW; (v) Any of the following felony offenses: (A) Any felony defined under any law as a class A felony or an attempt to commit a class A felony; (B) Criminal solicitation of or criminal conspiracy to commit a class A felony; (C) Manslaughter in the first or second degree; (D) Indecent liberties; (E) Kidnapping in the second degree; (F) Arson in the second degree; (G) Extortion in the first degree; (H) Robbery in the second degree; (I) Drive-by shooting; and (J) Vehicular homicide; or (vi) Any out-of-state, federal, or state conviction for a felony offense that is comparable to an offense listed in this subsection (4)(d); or (e) The individual applying for a certificate of parental improvement has already received one certificate of parental improvement and is the alleged perpetrator in a subsequent, final founded finding of child abuse or neglect. (5) The secretary shall consider the following when determining whether to issue a certificate of parental improvement: (a) Documentation of any founded finding of child abuse or neglect and the underlying documentation the entity that issued the finding relied upon to make that finding; (b) Findings from any civil adjudication proceeding as defined in RCW 43.43.830 ; (c) Referral history alleging child abuse or neglect against the requestor; (d) The length of time that has elapsed since the founded finding of child abuse or neglect; (e) Whether a court made a finding that the requestor's child was dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW, the length of time elapsed since that dependency proceeding was dismissed, and the outcome of the dependency proceeding, including whether the child was returned to the requestor's home; (f) Any documentation submitted by the requestor indicating whether the requestor successfully addressed the circumstances that led to the founded finding of physical abuse or negligent treatment or maltreatment including, but not limited to: A declaration by the requestor signed under penalty of perjury; recent assessments or evaluations of the requestor; and completion or progress toward completion of recommended court-ordered treatment, services, or programs; (g) Any pending criminal or civil actions against the requestor; (h) Background checks as authorized under RCW 10.97.050 , 43.43.833 , and 43.43.834 , and the federal bureau of investigation; (i) Personal and professional references submitted by the requestor from employers, professionals, and agencies familiar with the requestor who can address the requestor's current character; (j) Any education, volunteer work, employment history, or community involvement of the requestor identified by the requestor; and (k) Any additional information the secretary deems relevant. (6) However, in deciding whether to grant a request for a certificate of parental improvement under subsection (5) of this section, the secretary must accept the underlying founded finding as valid and may not review the merits of that founded finding. (7) The department shall enact rules to implement the process identified in this section. (8) Governmental entities, and their officers, agents, employees, and volunteers are not liable in tort for any of their acts or omissions in issuing certificates of parental improvement including, but not limited to, any determination to issue the certificate, or any later act of an individual who received a certificate.
RCW 74.13A.025 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 025
RCW 74.13A.025: Factors determining payments or adjustment in standards.
Status: in_force

The factors to be considered by the secretary in setting the amount of any payment or payments to be made pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 and in adjusting standards hereunder shall include: The size of the family including the adoptive child, the usual living expenses of the family, the special needs of any family member including education needs, the family income, the family resources and plan for savings, the medical and hospitalization needs of the family, the family's means of purchasing or otherwise receiving such care, and any other expenses likely to be needed by the child to be adopted. In setting the amount of any initial payment made pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , the secretary is authorized to establish maximum payment amounts that are reasonable and allow permanency planning goals related to adoption of children under RCW 13.34.145 to be achieved at the earliest possible date. To encourage adoption of children between the ages of fourteen and eighteen, and in particular those children between the ages of fourteen and eighteen who are hard to place for adoption, the secretary is authorized to include as part of any new negotiated adoption agreement executed after October 19, 2017, continued eligibility for the Washington college bound scholarship pursuant to RCW 28B.118.010 . The amounts paid for the support of a child pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 may vary from family to family and from year to year. Due to changes in economic circumstances or the needs of the child such payments may be discontinued and later resumed. Payments under RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 may be continued by the secretary subject to review as provided for herein, if such parent or parents having such child in their custody establish their residence in another state or a foreign jurisdiction. In fixing the standards to govern the amount and character of payments to be made for the support of adopted children pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 and before issuing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , the secretary shall consider the comments and recommendations of the committee designated by the secretary to advise him or her with respect to child welfare.
RCW 74.25A.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 25A / Section 010
RCW 74.25A.010: Employment partnership program—Created—Goals.
Status: in_force

The employment partnership program is created to develop a series of geographically distributed model projects to provide permanent full-time employment for low-income and unemployed persons. The program shall be administered by the department of social and health services. The department shall contract for the program through local public or private nonprofit organizations. The goals of the program are as follows: (1) To reduce inefficiencies in administration and provide model coordination of agencies with responsibilities for employment and human service delivery to unemployed persons; (2) To create voluntary financial incentives to simultaneously reduce unemployment and welfare caseloads; (3) To provide other state and federal support services to the client population to enable economic independence; (4) To improve partnerships between the public and private sectors designed to move recipients of public assistance into productive employment; and (5) To provide employers with information on federal targeted jobs tax credit and other state and federal tax incentives for participation in the program.
RCW 74.09.557 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 557
RCW 74.09.557: Medical assistance—Complex rehabilitation technology products.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority shall establish a separate recognition for individually configured, complex rehabilitation technology products and services for complex needs patients with the medical assistance program. This separate recognition shall: (a) Establish a budget and services category separate from other categories, such as durable medical equipment and supplies; (b) Take into consideration the customized nature of complex rehabilitation technology and the broad range of services necessary to meet the unique medical and functional needs of people with complex medical needs; and (c) Establish standards for the purchase of complex rehabilitation technology exclusively from qualified complex rehabilitation technology suppliers. (2) The authority shall require complex needs patients receiving complex rehabilitation technology to be evaluated by: (a) A licensed health care provider who performs specialty evaluations within his or her scope of practice, including a physical therapist licensed under chapter 18.74 RCW and an occupational therapist licensed under chapter 18.59 RCW, and has no financial relationship with the qualified complex rehabilitation technology supplier; and (b) A qualified complex rehabilitation technology professional, as identified in subsection (3)(d)(iii) of this section. (3) As used in this section: (a) "Complex needs patient" means an individual with a diagnosis or medical condition that results in significant physical or functional needs and capacities. "Complex needs patient" does not negate the requirement that an individual meet medical necessity requirements under authority rules to qualify for receiving a complex rehabilitation product. (b) "Complex rehabilitation technology" means wheelchairs and seating systems classified as durable medical equipment within the medicare program as of January 1, 2013, that: (i) Are individually configured for individuals to meet their specific and unique medical, physical, and functional needs and capacities for basic activities of daily living and instrumental activities of daily living identified as medically necessary to prevent hospitalization or institutionalization of a complex needs patient; (ii) Are primarily used to serve a medical purpose and generally not useful to a person in the absence of an illness or injury; and (iii) Require certain services to allow for appropriate design, configuration, and use of such item, including patient evaluation and equipment fitting and configuration. (c) "Individually configured" means a device has a combination of features, adjustments, or modifications specific to a complex needs patient that a qualified complex rehabilitation technology supplier provides by measuring, fitting, programming, adjusting, or adapting the device as appropriate so that the device is consistent with an assessment or evaluation of the complex needs patient by a health care professional and consistent with the complex needs patient's medical condition, physical and functional needs and capacities, body size, period of need, and intended use. (d) "Qualified complex rehabilitation technology supplier" means a company or entity that: (i) Is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization as a supplier of complex rehabilitation technology; (ii) Meets the supplier and quality standards established for durable medical equipment suppliers under the medicare program; (iii) For each site that it operates, employs at least one complex rehabilitation technology professional, who has been certified by the rehabilitation engineering and assistive technology society of North America as an assistive technology professional, to analyze the needs and capacities of complex needs patients, assist in selecting appropriate covered complex rehabilitation technology items for such needs and capacities, and provide training in the use of the selected covered complex rehabilitation technology items; (iv) Has the complex rehabilitation technology professional physically present for the evaluation and determination of the appropriate individually configured complex rehabilitation technologies for the complex needs patient; (v) Provides service and repairs by qualified technicians for all complex rehabilitation technology products it sells; and (vi) Provides written information to the complex needs patient at the time of delivery about how the individual may receive service and repair.
RCW 74.08A.320 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 320
RCW 74.08A.320: Wage subsidy program.
Status: in_force

The department shall establish a wage subsidy program to be known as the community jobs program for recipients of temporary assistance for needy families who have barriers to employment, lack experience and attachment to the job force, or have been unsuccessful in securing employment leading to family self-sufficiency. The department shall give preference in job placements to private sector employers that have agreed to participate in the wage subsidy program. The department shall identify characteristics of employers who can meet the employment goals stated in RCW 74.08A.410 . The department shall use these characteristics in identifying which employers may participate in the program. The department shall adopt rules for the participation of recipients of temporary assistance for needy families in the wage subsidy program. Participants in the program established under this section may not be employed if: (1) The employer has terminated the employment of any current employee or otherwise caused an involuntary reduction of its workforce in order to fill the vacancy so created with the participant; or (2) the participant displaces or partially displaces current employees. Employers providing positions created under this section shall meet the requirements of chapter 49.46 RCW. This section shall not diminish or result in the infringement of obligations or rights under chapters 41.06 , 41.56, and 49.36 RCW and the national labor relations act, 29 U.S.C. Ch. 7. The department shall establish such local and statewide advisory boards, including business and labor representatives, as it deems appropriate to assist in the implementation of the wage subsidy program. Once the recipient is hired, the wage subsidy shall be authorized for up to nine months.
RCW 74.46.562 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 562
RCW 74.46.562: Indian health service or tribal facilities—Payment rates.
Status: in_force

Services provided by or through facilities of the Indian health service or facilities operated by a tribe or tribal organization pursuant to 42 C.F.R. Part 136 may be paid at the applicable rates published in the federal register or at a cost-based rate applicable to such types of facilities as approved by the centers for medicare and medicaid services and may be exempted from the rate determination set forth in this chapter. The department may enact emergency rules to implement this section.
RCW 74.18.200 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 200
RCW 74.18.200: Business enterprises program—Definitions.
Status: in_force

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply in RCW 74.18.200 through 74.18.230 . (1) "Business enterprises program" means a program operated by the department under the federal Randolph-Sheppard Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 107 et seq., and under this chapter in support of blind persons operating vending businesses in public buildings. (2) "Vending facility" means any stand, snack bar, cafeteria, or business at which food, tobacco, sundries, or other retail merchandise or service is sold or provided. (3) "Vending machine" means any coin-operated machine that sells or provides food, tobacco, sundries, or other retail merchandise or service. (4) "Blind person" means a person whose central visual acuity does not exceed 20/200 in the better eye with correcting lenses or whose visual acuity, if better than 20/200, is accompanied by a limit to the field of vision in the better eye to such a degree that its widest diameter subtends an angle of no greater than twenty degrees. In determining whether an individual is blind, there shall be an examination by a physician skilled in diseases of the eye, or by an optometrist, whichever the individual selects. (5) "Licensee" means a blind person licensed by the state of Washington under the Randolph-Sheppard Act, this chapter, and the rules issued hereunder. (6) "Public building" means any building and immediately adjacent outdoor space associated therewith, such as a patio or entryway, which is: (a) Owned by the state of Washington or any political subdivision thereof or any space leased by the state of Washington or any political subdivision thereof in any privately owned building; and (b) dedicated to the administrative functions of the state or any political subdivision. However, this term shall not include property under the jurisdiction and control of a local board of education without the consent of such board. (7) "Priority" means the department has first and primary right to operate the food service and vending facilities, including vending machines, on federal, state, county, municipal, and other local government property except those otherwise exempted by statute. Such right may, at the sole discretion of the department, be waived in the event that the department is temporarily unable to assert the priority.
RCW 74.15.160 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 160
RCW 74.15.160: Continuation of existing licensing rules.
Status: in_force

Existing rules for licensing adopted pursuant to *chapter 74.14 RCW, sections 74.14.010 through 74.14.150 , chapter 26, Laws of 1959, shall remain in force and effect until new rules are adopted under chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 , but not thereafter.
RCW 74.12.410 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 410
RCW 74.12.410: Family planning information—Cooperation with the superintendent of public instruction.
Status: in_force

(1) At the time of application or reassessment under this chapter the department shall offer or contract for family planning information and assistance, including alternatives to abortion, and any other available locally based unintended pregnancy prevention programs, to prospective and current recipients of temporary assistance for needy families. (2) The department shall work in cooperation with the superintendent of public instruction to reduce the rate of abortions and unintended pregnancies in Washington state.
RCW 74.09.810 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 810
RCW 74.09.810: Alternative maternity care service delivery system established—Remedial action report.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority shall establish an alternative maternity care service delivery system, if it determines that a county or a group of counties is a maternity care distressed area. A maternity care distressed area shall be defined by the authority, in rule, as a county or a group of counties where eligible women are unable to obtain adequate maternity care. The authority shall include the following factors in its determination: (a) Higher than average percentage of eligible persons in the distressed area who receive late or no prenatal care; (b) Higher than average percentage of eligible persons in the distressed area who go out of the area to receive maternity care; (c) Lower than average percentage of obstetrical care providers in the distressed area who provide care to eligible persons; (d) Higher than average percentage of infants born to eligible persons per obstetrical care provider in the distressed area; and (e) Higher than average percentage of infants that are of low birth weight, five and one-half pounds or two thousand five hundred grams, born to eligible persons in the distressed area. (2) If the authority determines that a maternity care distressed area exists, it shall notify the relevant county authority. The county authority shall, within one hundred twenty days, submit a brief report to the authority recommending remedial action. The report shall be prepared in consultation with the authority and with the department's local community service offices, the local public health officer, community health clinics, health care providers, hospitals, the business community, labor representatives, and low-income advocates in the distressed area. A county authority may contract with a local nonprofit entity to develop the report. If the county authority is unwilling or unable to develop the report, it shall notify the authority within thirty days, and the authority shall develop the report for the distressed area. (3) The authority shall review the report and use it, to the extent possible, in developing strategies to improve maternity care access in the distressed area. The authority may contract with or directly employ qualified maternity care health providers to provide maternity care services, if access to such providers in the distressed area is not possible by other means. In such cases, the authority is authorized to pay that portion of the health care providers' malpractice liability insurance that represents the percentage of maternity care provided to eligible persons by that provider through increased medical assistance payments.