RCW 74.09.522 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 522
RCW 74.09.522: Medical assistance—Agreements with managed care organizations for provision of services to medicaid recipients—Principles to be applied in purchasing managed health care.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5124-S.SL ) ***

(1) For the purposes of this section, "nonparticipating provider" means a person, health care provider, practitioner, facility, or entity, acting within their scope of practice, that does not have a written contract to participate in a managed care organization's provider network, but provides health care services to enrollees of programs authorized under this chapter or other applicable law whose health care services are provided by the managed care organization. (2) The authority shall enter into agreements with managed care organizations to provide health care services to recipients of medicaid under the following conditions: (a) Agreements shall be made for at least thirty thousand recipients statewide; (b) Agreements in at least one county shall include enrollment of all recipients of programs as allowed for in the approved state plan amendment or federal waiver for Washington state's medicaid program; (c) To the extent that this provision is consistent with section 1903(m) of Title XIX of the federal social security act or federal demonstration waivers granted under section 1115(a) of Title XI of the federal social security act, recipients shall have a choice of systems in which to enroll and shall have the right to terminate their enrollment in a system: PROVIDED, That the authority may limit recipient termination of enrollment without cause to the first month of a period of enrollment, which period shall not exceed twelve months: AND PROVIDED FURTHER, That the authority shall not restrict a recipient's right to terminate enrollment in a system for good cause as established by the authority by rule; (d) To the extent that this provision is consistent with section 1903(m) of Title XIX of the federal social security act, participating managed care organizations shall not enroll a disproportionate number of medical assistance recipients within the total numbers of persons served by the managed care organizations, except as authorized by the authority under federal demonstration waivers granted under section 1115(a) of Title XI of the federal social security act; (e)(i) In negotiating with managed care organizations the authority shall adopt a uniform procedure to enter into contractual arrangements, including: (A) Standards regarding the quality of services to be provided; (B) The financial integrity of the responding system; (C) Provider reimbursement methods that incentivize chronic care management within health homes, including comprehensive medication management services for patients with multiple chronic conditions consistent with the findings and goals established in RCW 74.09.5223 ; (D) Provider reimbursement methods that reward health homes that, by using chronic care management, reduce emergency department and inpatient use; (E) Promoting provider participation in the program of training and technical assistance regarding care of people with chronic conditions described in RCW 43.70.533 , including allocation of funds to support provider participation in the training, unless the managed care organization is an integrated health delivery system that has programs in place for chronic care management; (F) Provider reimbursement methods within the medical billing processes that incentivize pharmacists or other qualified providers licensed in Washington state to provide comprehensive medication management services consistent with the findings and goals established in RCW 74.09.5223 ; (G) Evaluation and reporting on the impact of comprehensive medication management services on patient clinical outcomes and total health care costs, including reductions in emergency department utilization, hospitalization, and drug costs; and (H) Established consistent processes to incentivize integration of behavioral health services in the primary care setting, promoting care that is integrated, collaborative, colocated, and preventive. (ii)(A) Health home services contracted for under this subsection may be prioritized to enrollees with complex, high cost, or multiple chronic conditions. (B) Contracts that include the items in (e)(i)(C) through (G) of this subsection must not exceed the rates that would be paid in the absence of these provisions; (f) The authority shall seek waivers from federal requirements as necessary to implement this chapter; (g) The authority shall, wherever possible, enter into prepaid capitation contracts that include inpatient care. However, if this is not possible or feasible, the authority may enter into prepaid capitation contracts that do not include inpatient care; (h) The authority shall define those circumstances under which a managed care organization is responsible for out-of-plan services and assure that recipients shall not be charged for such services; (i) Nothing in this section prevents the authority from entering into similar agreements for other groups of people eligible to receive services under this chapter; and (j) The authority must consult with the federal center for medicare and medicaid innovation and seek funding opportunities to support health homes. (3) The authority shall ensure that publicly supported community health centers and providers in rural areas, who show serious intent and apparent capability to participate as managed care organizations are seriously considered as contractors. The authority shall coordinate its managed care activities with activities under chapter 70.47 RCW. (4) The authority shall work jointly with the state of Oregon and other states in this geographical region in order to develop recommendations to be presented to the appropriate federal agencies and the United States congress for improving health care of the poor, while controlling related costs. (5) The legislature finds that competition in the managed health care marketplace is enhanced, in the long term, by the existence of a large number of managed care organization options for medicaid clients. In a managed care delivery system, whose goal is to focus on prevention, primary care, and improved enrollee health status, continuity in care relationships is of substantial importance, and disruption to clients and health care providers should be minimized. To help ensure these goals are met, the following principles shall guide the authority in its healthy options managed health care purchasing efforts: (a) All managed care organizations should have an opportunity to contract with the authority to the extent that minimum contracting requirements defined by the authority are met, at payment rates that enable the authority to operate as far below appropriated spending levels as possible, consistent with the principles established in this section. (b) Managed care organizations should compete for the award of contracts and assignment of medicaid beneficiaries who do not voluntarily select a contracting system, based upon: (i) Demonstrated commitment to or experience in serving low-income populations; (ii) Quality of services provided to enrollees; (iii) Accessibility, including appropriate utilization, of services offered to enrollees; (iv) Demonstrated capability to perform contracted services, including ability to supply an adequate provider network; (v) Payment rates; and (vi) The ability to meet other specifically defined contract requirements established by the authority, including consideration of past and current performance and participation in other state or federal health programs as a contractor. (c) Consideration should be given to using multiple year contracting periods. (d) Quality, accessibility, and demonstrated commitment to serving low-income populations shall be given significant weight in the contracting, evaluation, and assignment process. (e) All contractors that are regulated health carriers must meet state minimum net worth requirements as defined in applicable state laws. The authority shall adopt rules establishing the minimum net worth requirements for contractors that are not regulated health carriers. This subsection does not limit the authority of the Washington state health care authority to take action under a contract upon finding that a contractor's financial status seriously jeopardizes the contractor's ability to meet its contract obligations. (f) Procedures for resolution of disputes between the authority and contract bidders or the authority and contracting carriers related to the award of, or failure to award, a managed care contract must be clearly set out in the procurement document. (6) The authority may apply the principles set forth in subsection (5) of this section to its managed health care purchasing efforts on behalf of clients receiving supplemental security income benefits to the extent appropriate. (7) Any contract with a managed care organization to provide services to medical assistance enrollees shall require that managed care organizations offer contracts to mental health providers and substance use disorder treatment providers to provide access to primary care services integrated into behavioral health clinical settings, for individuals with behavioral health and medical comorbidities. (8) Managed care organization contracts effective on or after April 1, 2016, shall serve geographic areas that correspond to the regional service areas established in RCW 74.09.870 . (9) A managed care organization shall pay a nonparticipating provider that provides a service covered under this chapter or other applicable law to the organization's enrollee no more than the lowest amount paid for that service under the managed care organization's contracts with similar providers in the state if the managed care organization has made good faith efforts to contract with the nonparticipating provider. (10) For services covered under this chapter or other applicable law to medical assistance or medical care services enrollees, nonparticipating providers must accept as payment in full the amount paid by the managed care organization under subsection (9) of this section in addition to any deductible, coinsurance, or copayment that is due from the enrollee for the service provided. An enrollee is not liable to any nonparticipating provider for covered services, except for amounts due for any deductible, coinsurance, or copayment under the terms and conditions set forth in the managed care organization contract to provide services under this section. (11) Pursuant to federal managed care access standards, 42 C.F.R. Sec. 438, managed care organizations must maintain a network of appropriate providers that is supported by written agreements sufficient to provide adequate access to all services covered under the contract with the authority, including hospital-based physician services. The authority will monitor and periodically report on the proportion of services provided by contracted providers and nonparticipating providers, by county, for each managed care organization to ensure that managed health care systems are meeting network adequacy requirements. No later than January 1st of each year, the authority will review and report its findings to the appropriate policy and fiscal committees of the legislature for the preceding state fiscal year. (12) Payments under RCW 74.60.130 are exempt from this section.
RCW 74.09.395 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 395
RCW 74.09.395: Access to baby and child dentistry program—Outreach and engagement—Stakeholder collaboration.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority, in consultation with the office of equity, created in chapter 332, Laws of 2020, shall work with the statewide managing partner of the access to baby and child dentistry program to develop a local access to baby and child dentistry program fund allocation formula, key deliverables, and target metrics for increased outreach and provider engagement and support with the goal of reducing racial and ethnic disparities. (2) The authority, in consultation with the office of equity, created in chapter 332, Laws of 2020, shall collaborate with stakeholders to monitor progress toward the goals articulated in subsection (1) of this section and provide support to local access to baby and child dentistry programs and providers.
RCW 74.39A.200 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 200
RCW 74.39A.200: Training curricula, materials—In public domain—Exceptions.
Status: in_force

All training curricula and material, except competency testing material, developed by or for the department and used in part or in whole for the purpose of improving provider and caregiver knowledge and skill are in the public domain unless otherwise protected by copyright law and are subject to disclosure under chapter 42.56 RCW. Any training curricula and material developed by a private entity through a contract with the department are also considered part of the public domain and shall be shared subject to copyright restrictions. Any proprietary curricula and material developed by a private entity for the purposes of training staff in facilities licensed under chapter 18.20 or 70.128 RCW or individual providers and home care agency providers under this chapter and approved for training by the department are not part of the public domain.
RCW 74.04.750 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 750
RCW 74.04.750: Reporting requirements—Food stamp allotments and rent or housing subsidies, consideration as income.
Status: in_force

(1) Applicants and recipients under this title must satisfy all reporting requirements imposed by the department. (2) The secretary shall have the discretion to consider: (a) Food stamp allotments or food stamp benefits transferred electronically and/or (b) rent or housing subsidies as income in determining eligibility for and assistance to be provided by public assistance programs. If the department considers food stamp allotments or food stamp benefits transferred electronically as income in determining eligibility for assistance, applicants or recipients for any grant assistance program must apply for and take all reasonable actions necessary to establish and maintain eligibility for food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically.
RCW 74.18.130 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 130
RCW 74.18.130: Vocational rehabilitation—Eligibility.
Status: in_force

The department shall provide a program of vocational rehabilitation to assist blind persons to overcome barriers to employment and to develop skills necessary for employment and independence. Applicants eligible for vocational rehabilitation services shall be blind persons who also meet eligibility requirements as specified in the federal rehabilitation act of 1973.
RCW 74.14B.040 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 14B / Section 040
RCW 74.14B.040: Child abuse and neglect—Therapeutic day care and treatment.
Status: in_force

The department shall, within funds appropriated for this purpose, provide therapeutic day care and day treatment to children who have been abused or neglected and meet program eligibility criteria.
RCW 74.08A.420 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 420
RCW 74.08A.420: Outcome measures—Evaluations—Awarding contracts—Bonuses.
Status: in_force

Every WorkFirst office, region, contract, employee, and contractor shall be evaluated using the criteria in RCW 74.08A.410 . The department shall award contracts to the highest performing entities according to the criteria in RCW 74.08A.410 . The department may provide for bonuses to offices, regions, and employees with the best outcomes according to measures in RCW 74.08A.410 .
RCW 74.42.460 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 460
RCW 74.42.460: Organization plan and procedures.
Status: in_force

The facility shall have a written staff organization plan and detailed written procedures to meet potential emergencies and disasters. The facility shall clearly communicate and periodically review the plan and procedures with the staff and residents. The plan and procedures shall be posted at suitable locations throughout the facility. The planning requirement of this section shall complement the comprehensive disaster preparedness planning requirement of RCW 18.51.580 .
RCW 74.13.270 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 270
RCW 74.13.270: Respite care.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislature recognizes the need for temporary short-term relief for foster parents who care for children with emotional, mental, or physical disabilities. For purposes of this section, respite care means appropriate, temporary, short-term care for these foster children placed with licensed foster parents. The purpose of this care is to give the foster parents temporary relief from the stresses associated with the care of these foster children. The department shall design a program of respite care that will minimize disruptions to the child and will serve foster parents within these priorities, based on input from foster parents, foster parent associations, and reliable research if available. (2)(a) For the purposes of this section, and subject to funding appropriated specifically for this purpose, short-term support shall include case aides who provide temporary assistance to foster parents as needed with the overall goal of supporting the parental efforts of the foster parents except that this assistance shall not include overnight assistance. The department shall contract with nonprofit community-based organizations in each region to establish a statewide pool of individuals to provide the support described in this subsection. These individuals shall be employees or volunteers with the nonprofit community-based organization and shall have the appropriate training, background checks, and qualifications as determined by the department. Short-term support as described in this subsection shall be available to all licensed foster parents in the state as funding is available and shall be phased in by geographic region. To obtain the assistance of a case aide for this purpose, the foster parent may request the services from the nonprofit community-based organization and the nonprofit community-based organization may offer assistance to licensed foster families. If the requests for the short-term support provided in this subsection exceed the funding available, the nonprofit community-based organization shall have discretion to determine the assignment of case aides. The nonprofit community-based organization shall report all short-term support provided under this subsection to the department. (b) Costs associated with case aides as described in this subsection shall not be included in the forecast. (c) Pursuant to RCW 41.06.142 , performance-based contracting under (a) of this subsection is expressly mandated by the legislature and is not subject to the processes set forth in RCW 41.06.142 .
RCW 74.18.040 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 040
RCW 74.18.040: Director—Appointment—Salary.
Status: in_force

The executive head of the department shall be the director of the department of services for the blind. The director shall be appointed by the governor, with the consent of the senate, and hold office at the pleasure of the governor. The director's salary shall be fixed by the governor in accordance with the provisions of RCW 43.03.040 .
RCW 74.98.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 98 / Section 020
RCW 74.98.020: Title, chapter, section headings not part of law.
Status: in_force

Title headings, chapter headings, and section or subsection headings, as used in this title do not constitute any part of the law.
RCW 74.29.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 29 / Section 010
RCW 74.29.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

(1) "Department" means the department of social and health services. (2) "Independence" means a reasonable degree of restoration from dependency upon others to self-direction and greater control over circumstances of one's life for personal needs and care and includes but is not limited to the ability to live in one's home. (3) "Individual with disabilities" means an individual: (a) Who has a physical, mental, or sensory disability, which requires vocational rehabilitation services to prepare for, enter into, engage in, retain, or engage in and retain gainful employment consistent with his or her capacities and abilities; or (b) Who has a physical, mental, or sensory impairment whose ability to function independently in the family or community or whose ability to obtain, maintain, or advance in employment is substantially limited and for whom the delivery of vocational rehabilitation or independent living services will improve the ability to function, continue functioning, or move towards functioning independently in the family or community or to continue in employment. (4) "Individual with severe disabilities" means an individual with disabilities: (a) Who has a physical, mental, or sensory impairment that seriously limits one or more functional capacities, such as mobility, communication, self-care, self-direction, interpersonal skills, work tolerance, or work skills, in terms of employment outcome, and/or independence and participation in family or community life; (b) Whose rehabilitation can be expected to require multiple rehabilitation services over an extended period of time; and (c) Who has one or more physical, mental, or sensory disabilities resulting from amputation, arthritis, autism, blindness, burn injury, cancer, cerebral palsy, cystic fibrosis, deafness, head injury, heart disease, hemiplegia, hemophilia, respiratory or pulmonary dysfunction, intellectual disability, mental illness, multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, musculoskeletal disorders, neurological disorders (including stroke and epilepsy), paraplegia, quadriplegia, other spinal cord conditions, sickle cell anemia, specific learning disability, end-stage renal disease, or another disability or combination of disabilities determined on the basis of an assessment for determining eligibility and rehabilitation needs to cause comparable substantial functional limitation. (5) "Job support services" means ongoing goods and services provided after vocational rehabilitation, subject to available funds, that support an individual with severe disabilities in employment. Such services include, but are not limited to, extraordinary supervision or job coaching. (6) "Physical, mental, or sensory disability" means a physical, mental, or sensory condition which materially limits, contributes to limiting or, if not corrected or accommodated, will probably result in limiting an individual's activities or functioning. (7) "Rehabilitation services" means goods or services provided to: (a) Determine eligibility and rehabilitation needs of individuals with disabilities, and/or (b) enable individuals with disabilities to attain or retain employment and/or independence, and/or (c) contribute substantially to the rehabilitation of a group of individuals with disabilities. To the extent federal funds are available, goods and services may include, but are not limited to, the establishment, construction, development, operation and maintenance of community rehabilitation programs and independent living centers, as well as special demonstration projects.
RCW 74.08.900 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 900
RCW 74.08.900: Limited application.
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter except RCW * 74.08.070 and 74.08.080 applies to **chapter 74.50 RCW.
RCW 74.08.331 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 331
RCW 74.08.331: Unlawful practices—Obtaining assistance—Disposal of realty—Penalties.
Status: in_force

(1) Any person who by means of a willfully false statement, or representation, or impersonation, or a willful failure to reveal any material fact, condition, or circumstance affecting eligibility or need for assistance, including medical care, surplus commodities, and food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically, as required by law, or a willful failure to promptly notify the county office in writing as required by law or any change in status in respect to resources, or income, or need, or family composition, money contribution and other support, from whatever source derived, including unemployment insurance, or any other change in circumstances affecting the person's eligibility or need for assistance, or other fraudulent device, obtains, or attempts to obtain, or aids or abets any person to obtain any public assistance to which the person is not entitled or greater public assistance than that to which he or she is justly entitled is guilty of theft in the first degree under RCW 9A.56.030 and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment in a state correctional facility for not more than fifteen years. (2) Any person who by means of a willfully false statement or representation or by impersonation or other fraudulent device aids or abets in buying, selling, or in any other way disposing of the real property of a recipient of public assistance without the consent of the secretary is guilty of a gross misdemeanor and upon conviction thereof shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days in the county jail or a fine of not to exceed one thousand dollars or by both.
RCW 74.13.042 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 042
RCW 74.13.042: Petition for order compelling disclosure of record or information.
Status: in_force

If the department is denied lawful access to records or information, or requested records or information is not provided in a timely manner, the department may petition the court for an order compelling disclosure. (1) The petition shall be filed in the juvenile court for the county in which the record or information is located or the county in which the person who is the subject of the record or information resides. If the person who is the subject of the record or information is a party to or the subject of a pending proceeding under chapter 13.32A or 13.34 RCW, the petition shall be filed in such proceeding. (2) Except as otherwise provided in this section, the persons from whom and about whom the record or information is sought shall be served with a summons and a petition at least seven calendar days prior to a hearing on the petition. The court may order disclosure upon ex parte application of the department, without prior notice to any person, if the court finds there is reason to believe access to the record or information is necessary to determine whether the child is in imminent danger and in need of immediate protection. (3) The court shall grant the petition upon a showing that there is reason to believe that the record or information sought is necessary for the health, safety, or welfare of the child who is currently receiving child welfare services.
RCW 74.09.210 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 210
RCW 74.09.210: Fraudulent practices—Penalties.
Status: in_force

(1) No person, firm, corporation, partnership, association, agency, institution, or other legal entity, but not including an individual public assistance recipient of health care, shall, on behalf of himself or herself or others, obtain or attempt to obtain benefits or payments under this chapter or other applicable law in a greater amount than that to which entitled by means of: (a) A willful false statement; (b) By willful misrepresentation, or by concealment of any material facts; or (c) By other fraudulent scheme or device, including, but not limited to: (i) Billing for services, drugs, supplies, or equipment that were unfurnished, of lower quality, or a substitution or misrepresentation of items billed; or (ii) Repeated billing for purportedly covered items, which were not in fact so covered. (2) Any person or entity knowingly violating any of the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall be liable for repayment of any excess benefits or payments received, plus interest at the rate and in the manner provided in RCW 43.20B.695 . Such person or other entity shall further, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be subject to civil penalties. The director or the attorney general may assess civil penalties in an amount not to exceed three times the amount of such excess benefits or payments: PROVIDED, That these civil penalties shall not apply to any acts or omissions occurring prior to September 1, 1979. RCW 43.20A.215 governs notice of a civil fine assessed by the director and provides the right to an adjudicative proceeding. (3) A criminal action need not be brought against a person for that person to be civilly liable under this section. (4) In all administrative proceedings under this section, service, adjudicative proceedings, and judicial review of such determinations shall be in accordance with chapter 34.05 RCW, the administrative procedure act. (5) Civil penalties shall be deposited upon their receipt into the medicaid fraud penalty account established in RCW 74.09.215 . (6) The attorney general may contract with private attorneys and local governments in bringing actions under this section as necessary.
RCW 74.14C.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 14C / Section 010
RCW 74.14C.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter. (1) "Community support systems" means the support that may be organized through extended family members, friends, neighbors, religious organizations, community programs, cultural and ethnic organizations, or other support groups or organizations. (2) "Department" means the department of children, youth, and families. (3) "Family preservation services" means in-home or community-based services drawing on the strengths of the family and its individual members while addressing family needs to strengthen and keep the family together where possible and may include: (a) Respite care of children to provide temporary relief for parents and other caregivers; (b) Services designed to improve parenting skills with respect to such matters as child development, family budgeting, coping with stress, health, safety, and nutrition; and (c) Services designed to promote the well-being of children and families, increase the strength and stability of families, increase parents' confidence and competence in their parenting abilities, promote a safe, stable, and supportive family environment for children, and otherwise enhance children's development. Family preservation services shall have the characteristics delineated in RCW 74.14C.020 (2) and (3). (4) "Family resource center" means a unified single point of entry where families, individuals, children, and youth in communities can obtain information, an assessment of needs, referral to, or direct delivery of family services in a manner that is welcoming and strength-based. (a) A family resource center is designed to meet the needs, cultures, and interests of the communities that the family resource center serves. (b) Family services may be delivered directly to a family at the family resource center by family resource center staff or by providers who contract with or have provider agreements with the family resource center. Any family resource center that provides family services shall comply with applicable state and federal laws and regulations regarding the delivery of such family services, unless required waivers or exemptions have been granted by the appropriate governing body. (c) Each family resource center shall have one or more family advocates who screen and assess a family's needs and strengths. If requested by the family, the family advocate shall assist the family with setting its own goals and, together with the family, develop a written plan to pursue the family's goals in working towards a greater level of self-reliance or in attaining self-sufficiency. (5) "Imminent" means a decision has been made by the department that, without intensive family preservation services, a petition requesting the removal of a child from the family home will be immediately filed under chapter 13.32A or 13.34 RCW, or that a voluntary placement agreement will be immediately initiated. (6) "Intensive family preservation services" means community-based services that are delivered primarily in the home, that follow intensive service models with demonstrated effectiveness in reducing or avoiding the need for unnecessary imminent out-of-home placement, and that have all of the characteristics delineated in RCW 74.14C.020 (1) and (3). (7) "Out-of-home placement" means a placement in a foster family home or group care facility licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW or placement in a home, other than that of the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, not required to be licensed pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW. (8) "Paraprofessional worker" means any individual who is trained and qualified to provide assistance and community support systems development to families and who acts under the supervision of a preservation services therapist. The paraprofessional worker is not intended to replace the role and responsibilities of the preservation services therapist. (9) "Preservation services" means family preservation services and intensive family preservation services that consider the individual family's cultural values and needs. (10) "Secretary" means the secretary of the department.
RCW 74.13.902 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 902
RCW 74.13.902: Construction—Religious or nonprofit organizations.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in chapter 3, Laws of 2012 shall be construed to alter or affect existing law regarding the manner in which a religious or nonprofit organization may be licensed to and provide adoption, foster care, or other child-placing services under this chapter or chapter 74.15 or 26.33 RCW.
RCW 74.13A.030 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 030
RCW 74.13A.030: Both continuing payments and lump sum payments authorized.
Status: in_force

To carry out the program authorized by RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , the secretary may make continuing payments or lump sum payments of adoption support. In lieu of continuing payments, or in addition to them, the secretary may make one or more specific lump sum payments for or on behalf of a hard to place child either to the adoptive parents or directly to other persons to assist in correcting any condition causing such child to be hard to place for adoption. Consistent with a particular child's needs, continuing adoption support payments shall include, if necessary to facilitate or support the adoption of a special needs child, an amount sufficient to remove any reasonable financial barrier to adoption as determined by the secretary under RCW 74.13A.025 . After determination by the secretary of the amount of a payment or the initial amount of continuing payments, the prospective parent or parents who desire such support shall sign an agreement with the secretary providing for the payment, in the manner and at the time or times prescribed in regulations to be issued by the secretary subject to the provisions of RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , of the amount or amounts of support so determined. Payments shall be subject to review as provided in RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 .
RCW 74.13.525 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 525
RCW 74.13.525: Disclosure of child welfare records—Immunity from liability.
Status: in_force

The department, when acting in good faith, is immune from any criminal or civil liability, except as provided under RCW 42.56.550 , for any action taken under RCW 74.13.500 through 74.13.520 .
RCW 74.09.595 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 595
RCW 74.09.595: Medical assistance for institutionalized persons—Due process procedures.
Status: in_force

The department or authority, as appropriate, shall in compliance with section 1924 of the social security act adopt procedures which provide due process for institutionalized or community spouses who request a fair hearing as to the valuation of resources, the amount of the community spouse resource allowance, or the monthly maintenance needs allowance.
RCW 74.13.710 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 710
RCW 74.13.710: Out-of-home care—Childhood activities—Prudent parent standard.
Status: in_force

(1) For the purposes of this section, "caregiver" means a person with whom a child is placed in out-of-home care, or a designated official for a group care facility licensed by the department. (2) This section applies to all caregivers providing for children in out-of-home care. (3) Caregivers have the authority to provide or withhold permission without prior approval of the caseworker, department, or court to allow a child in their care to participate in normal childhood activities based on a reasonable and prudent parent standard. (a) Normal childhood activities include, but are not limited to, extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities, and may include overnight activities outside the direct supervision of the caregiver for periods of over twenty-four hours and up to seventy-two hours. (b) The reasonable and prudent parent standard means the standard of care used by a caregiver in determining whether to allow a child in his or her care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities. This standard is characterized by careful and thoughtful parental decision making that is intended to maintain a child's health, safety, and best interest while encouraging the child's emotional and developmental growth. (4) Any authorization provided under this section must comply with provisions included in an existing safety plan established by the department or court order. (5)(a) Caseworkers shall discuss the child's interest in and pursuit of normal childhood activities in their monthly health and safety visits and describe the child's participation in normal childhood activities in the individual service and safety plan. (b) Caseworkers shall also review a child's interest in and pursuit of normal childhood activities during monthly meetings with parents. Caseworkers shall communicate the opinions of parents regarding their child's participation in normal childhood activities so that the parents' wishes may be appropriately considered. (6) Neither the caregiver nor the department may be held liable for injuries to the child that occur as a result of authority granted in this section unless the action or inaction of the caregiver or the department resulting in injury constitutes willful or wanton misconduct. (7) This section does not remove or limit any existing liability protection afforded by law.
RCW 74.60.140 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 60 / Section 140
RCW 74.60.140: Multihospital locations, new hospitals, and changes in ownership.
Status: in_force

(1) If an entity owns or operates more than one hospital subject to assessment under this chapter, the entity shall pay the assessment for each hospital separately. However, if the entity operates multiple hospitals under a single medicaid provider number, it may pay the assessment for the hospitals in the aggregate. (2) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if a hospital subject to the assessment imposed under this chapter ceases to conduct hospital operations throughout a state fiscal year, the assessment for the quarter in which the cessation occurs shall be adjusted by multiplying the assessment computed under RCW 74.60.030 by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days during the year which the hospital conducts, operates, or maintains the hospital and the denominator of which is three hundred sixty-five. Immediately prior to ceasing to conduct, operate, or maintain a hospital, the hospital shall pay the adjusted assessment for the fiscal year to the extent not previously paid. (3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, if a hospital previously subject to assessment is sold or transferred to another entity and remains subject to assessment, the assessment for that hospital shall be computed based upon the cost report data previously submitted by that hospital. The assessment shall be allocated between the transferor and transferee based on the number of days within the assessment period that each owned, operated, or maintained the hospital.
RCW 74.42.470 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 470
RCW 74.42.470: Infected employees.
Status: in_force

No employee with symptoms of a communicable disease may work in a facility. The facility shall have written guidelines that will help enforce this section.
RCW 74.13.336 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 336
RCW 74.13.336: Extended foster care services.
Status: in_force

(1) A youth who has reached age 18 years may request extended foster care services authorized under RCW 74.13.031 at any time before he or she reaches the age of 21 years if: (a) The dependency proceeding of the youth was dismissed pursuant to RCW 13.34.267 (5) at the time that he or she reached age 18 years; or (b) The court, after holding the dependency case open pursuant to RCW 13.34.267 (1), has dismissed the case because the youth became ineligible for extended foster care services. (2)(a) Upon a request for extended foster care services by a youth pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, a determination that the youth is eligible for extended foster care services, and the completion of a voluntary placement agreement, the department shall provide extended foster care services to the youth. (b) In order to continue receiving extended foster care services after entering into a voluntary placement agreement with the department, the youth must agree to the entry of an order of dependency within 180 days of the date that the youth is placed in extended foster care pursuant to a voluntary placement agreement. (3) A youth may enter into a voluntary placement agreement for extended foster care services. A youth becomes eligible for extended foster care services as of the date the youth either signs an extended foster care agreement or voluntary placement agreement or turns 18, whichever occurs later. A youth may sign a voluntary placement agreement or an extended foster care agreement anytime within six months of the youth's 18th birthday, in which case the agreement will take effect on the youth's 18th birthday. A youth may sign a voluntary placement agreement or agreement to participate in extended foster care at any time after turning 18. The youth may withdraw his or her consent to participate, at any time, including prior to their 18th birthday. A voluntary placement agreement may be signed by a dependent child or eligible youth over the age of 18 electronically. (4) A youth who is not in a licensed foster care placement upon signing an extended foster care agreement or voluntary placement agreement, and who has turned 18 years old, shall receive their first supervised independent living subsidy within one month. (5) The department shall develop a program to make incentive payments to youth in extended foster care who participate in qualifying activities described in *RCW 74.13.031 (12)(b) (i) through (v). This program design must include stakeholder engagement from impacted communities. Subject to appropriations for this specific purpose, the department shall make incentive payments to qualifying youth in addition to the supervised independent living subsidy, beginning by July 1, 2025. (6) "Voluntary placement agreement," for the purposes of this section, means a written voluntary agreement by a youth who agrees to participate in extended foster care.
RCW 74.13.077 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 077
RCW 74.13.077: Sexually aggressive youth—Transfer of surplus funds for treatment.
Status: in_force

The secretary is authorized to transfer surplus, unused treatment funds from the civil commitment center operated under chapter 71.09 RCW to the division of children and family services to provide treatment services for sexually aggressive youth.
RCW 74.13A.047 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 047
RCW 74.13A.047: Adoption assistance payments—Expenditure limits.
Status: in_force

(1) To ensure expenditures continue to remain within available funds as required by RCW 74.13A.005 and 74.13A.020 , the secretary shall not set the amount of any adoption assistance payment or payments, made pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , to more than eighty percent of the foster care maintenance payment for that child had he or she remained in a foster family home during the same period. This subsection applies prospectively to adoption assistance agreements established on or after July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2017. (2)(a) To ensure expenditures continue to remain within available funds as required by RCW 74.13A.005 and 74.13A.020 , the secretary shall not set the amount of any adoption assistance payment or payments, made pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , to more than the following: (i) For a child under the age of five, no more than eighty percent of the foster care maintenance payment for that child had he or she remained in a foster family home during the same period. (ii) For a child aged five through nine, no more than ninety percent of the foster care maintenance payment for that child had he or she remained in a foster family home during the same period. (iii) For a child aged ten through eighteen, no more than ninety-five percent of the foster care maintenance payment for that child had he or she remained in a foster family home during the same period. (b) This subsection applies prospectively to adoption assistance agreements established on or after October 19, 2017. (3) The department must establish a central unit of adoption support negotiators to help ensure consistent negotiation of adoption support agreements that will balance the needs of adoptive families with the state's need to remain fiscally responsible. (4) The department must request, in writing, that adoptive families with existing adoption support contracts renegotiate their contracts to establish lower adoption assistance payments if it is fiscally feasible for the family to do so. The department shall explain that adoption support contracts may be renegotiated as needs arise.
RCW 74.42.600 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 600
RCW 74.42.600: Department inspections—Notice of noncompliance—Penalties—Coordination with department of health.
Status: in_force

(1) In addition to the inspection required by chapter 18.51 RCW, the department shall inspect the facility for compliance with resident rights and direct care standards of this chapter. The department may inspect any and all other provisions randomly, by exception profiles, or during complaint investigations. (2) If the facility has not complied with all the requirements of this chapter, the department shall notify the facility in writing that the facility is in noncompliance and describe the reasons for the facility's noncompliance and the department may impose penalties in accordance with RCW 18.51.060 . (3) To avoid unnecessary duplication in inspections, the department shall coordinate with the department of health when inspecting medicaid-certified or medicare-certified, or both, long-term care beds in hospitals for compliance with Title XVIII or XIX of the social security act.
RCW 74.09.270 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 270
RCW 74.09.270: Failure to maintain trust funds in separate account—Penalties.
Status: in_force

(1) Any person having any patient trust funds in his or her possession, custody, or control, who, knowing that he or she is violating any statute, regulation, or agreement, deliberately fails to deposit, transfer, or maintain said funds in a separate, designated, trust bank account as required by such statute, regulation, or agreement shall be guilty of a gross misdemeanor and shall be punished by imprisonment for up to three hundred sixty-four days in the county jail, or by a fine of not more than ten thousand dollars or as authorized by RCW 9A.20.030 , or by both such fine and imprisonment. (2) "Patient trust funds" are funds received by any health care facility which belong to patients and are required by any state or federal statute, regulation, or by agreement to be kept in a separate trust bank account for the benefit of such patients. (3) This section shall not be construed to prevent a prosecution for theft.
RCW 74.08.090 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 090
RCW 74.08.090: Rule-making authority and enforcement.
Status: in_force

The department is hereby authorized to make rules and regulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this title to the end that this title shall be administered uniformly throughout the state, and that the spirit and purpose of this title may be complied with. The department shall have the power to compel compliance with the rules and regulations established by it. Such rules and regulations shall be filed in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, as it is now or hereafter amended, and copies shall be available for public inspection in the office of the department and in each county office.
RCW 74.25A.005 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 25A / Section 005
RCW 74.25A.005: Legislative findings.
Status: in_force

The legislature finds that the restructuring in the Washington economy has created rising public assistance caseloads and declining real wages for Washington workers. There is a profound need to develop partnership programs between the private and public sectors to create new jobs with adequate salaries and promotional opportunities for chronically unemployed and underemployed citizens of the state. Most public assistance recipients want to become financially independent through paid employment. A voluntary program which utilizes public wage subsidies and employer matching salaries has provided a beneficial financial incentive allowing public assistance recipients transition to permanent full-time employment.
RCW 74.04.011 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 011
RCW 74.04.011: Secretary's authority—Personnel.
Status: in_force

The secretary of social and health services shall be the administrative head and appointing authority of the department of social and health services and he or she shall have the power to and shall employ such assistants and personnel as may be necessary for the general administration of the department: PROVIDED, That such employment is in accordance with the rules and regulations of the state merit system. The secretary shall through and by means of his or her assistants and personnel exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the public assistance laws of this state. The authority vested in the secretary as appointing authority may be delegated by the secretary or his or her designee to any suitable employee of the department.
RCW 74.39A.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 010
RCW 74.39A.010: Assisted living services and enhanced adult residential care—Contracts—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) To the extent of available funding, the department of social and health services may contract with licensed assisted living facilities under chapter 18.20 RCW and tribally licensed assisted living facilities for assisted living services and enhanced adult residential care. The department shall develop rules for facilities that contract with the department for assisted living services or enhanced adult residential care to establish: (a) Facility service standards consistent with the principles in RCW 74.39A.051 and consistent with chapter 70.129 RCW; (b) Standards for resident living areas consistent with RCW 74.39A.030 ; (c) Training requirements for providers and their staff. (2) The department's rules shall provide that services in assisted living and enhanced adult residential care: (a) Recognize individual needs, privacy, and autonomy; (b) Include, but not be limited to, personal care, nursing services, medication administration, and supportive services that promote independence and self-sufficiency; (c) Are of sufficient scope to assure that each resident who chooses to remain in the assisted living or enhanced adult residential care may do so, to the extent that the care provided continues to be cost-effective and safe and promote the most appropriate level of physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being consistent with client choice; (d) Are directed first to those persons most likely, in the absence of enhanced adult residential care or assisted living services, to need hospital, nursing facility, or other out-of-home placement; and (e) Are provided in compliance with applicable facility and professional licensing laws and rules. (3) When a facility contracts with the department for assisted living services or enhanced adult residential care, only services and facility standards that are provided to or in behalf of the assisted living services or enhanced adult residential care client shall be subject to the department's rules.
RCW 74.42.455 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 455
RCW 74.42.455: Transitional care management.
Status: in_force

(1) Nursing facilities may provide telephone or web-based transitional care management services to persons discharged from the facility to home for up to thirty days postdischarge. (2) When a nursing facility provides transitional care management services, the facility must coordinate postdischarge care and service needs with in-home agencies licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW, and other authorized care providers, to promote evidence-based transition care planning. In-home service agencies and other authorized care providers, including the department, shall, when appropriate, determine resident eligibility for postdischarge care and services and coordinate with nursing facilities to plan a safe transition of the client to the home setting. When a resident is discharged to home and is without in-home care or services due to the resident's refusal of care or their ineligibility for care, the nursing facility may provide telephone or web-based transitional care management services. These services may include care coordination services, review of the discharge plan, instructions to promote compliance with the discharge plan, reminders or assistance with scheduling follow-up appointments with other health care professionals consistent with the discharge plan, and promotion of self-management of the client's health condition. Web-based transition care services may include patient education and the provision of services described in this section. They are not intended to include telehealth monitoring. (3) If the nursing facility identifies concerns in client care that result from telephone or web-based transitional care management services, the nursing facility will notify the client's primary care physician. The nursing facility will also discuss with the client options for care or other services which may include in-home services provided by agencies licensed under chapter 70.127 RCW.
RCW 74.15.134 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 134
RCW 74.15.134: License or certificate suspension—Noncompliance with support order—Reissuance.
Status: in_force

The secretary shall immediately suspend the license or certificate of a person who has been certified pursuant to RCW 74.20A.320 by the department as a person who is not in compliance with a support order. If the person has continued to meet all other requirements for reinstatement during the suspension, reissuance of the license or certificate shall be automatic upon the secretary's receipt of a release issued by the department stating that the licensee is in compliance with the order.
RCW 74.42.550 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 550
RCW 74.42.550: Handrails.
Status: in_force

The facility shall have handrails that are firmly attached to the walls in all corridors used by residents: PROVIDED, That the department may waive the provisions of this section in developmentally disabled facilities.
RCW 74.09.886 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 886
RCW 74.09.886: Apple health and homes program—Establishment—Eligibility—Services.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the apple health and homes program is established to provide a permanent supportive housing benefit and a community support services benefit through a network of community support services providers for persons assessed with specific health needs and risk factors. (a) The program shall operate through the collaboration of the department, the authority, the department of social and health services, local governments, the coordinating entity or entities, community support services providers, local housing providers, local health care entities, and community-based organizations in contact with potentially eligible individuals, to assure seamless integration of community support services, stable housing, and health care services. (b) The entities operating the program shall coordinate resources, technical assistance, and capacity building efforts to help match eligible individuals with community support services, health care, including behavioral health care and long-term care services, and stable housing. (2) To be eligible for community support services and permanent supportive housing under subsection (3) of this section, a person must: (a) Be 18 years of age or older; (b)(i) Be enrolled in a medical assistance program under this chapter and eligible for community support services; (ii)(A) Have a countable income that is at or below 133 percent of the federal poverty level, adjusted for family size, and determined annually by the federal department of health and human services; and (B) Not be eligible for categorically needy medical assistance, as defined in the social security Title XIX state plan; or (iii) Be assessed as likely eligible for, but not yet enrolled in, a medical assistance program under this chapter due to the severity of behavioral health symptom acuity level which creates barriers to accessing and receiving conventional services; (c) Have been assessed: (i) By a licensed behavioral health agency to have a behavioral health need which is defined as meeting one or both of the following criteria: (A) Having mental health needs, including a need for improvement, stabilization, or prevention of deterioration of functioning resulting from the presence of a mental illness; or (B) Having substance use disorder needs indicating the need for outpatient substance use disorder treatment which may be determined by an assessment using the American society of addiction medicine criteria or a similar assessment tool approved by the authority; (ii) By the department of social and health services as needing either assistance with at least three activities of daily living or hands-on assistance with at least one activity of daily living and have the preliminary determination confirmed by the department of social and health services through an in-person assessment conducted by the department of social and health services; or (iii) To be a homeless person with a long-continuing or indefinite physical condition requiring improvement, stabilization, or prevention of deterioration of functioning, including the ability to live independently without support; and (d) Have at least one of the following risk factors: (i)(A) Be a homeless person at the time of the eligibility determination for the program and have been homeless for 12 months prior to the eligibility determination; or (B) Have been a homeless person on at least four separate occasions in the three years prior to the eligibility determination for the program, as long as the combined occasions equal at least 12 months; (ii) Have a history of frequent or lengthy institutional contact, including contact at institutional care facilities such as jails, substance use disorder or mental health treatment facilities, hospitals, or skilled nursing facilities; or (iii) Have a history of frequent stays at adult residential care facilities or residential treatment facilities. (3) Once a coordinating entity verifies that a person has met the eligibility criteria established in subsection (2) of this section, it must connect the eligible person with a community support services provider. The community support services provider must: (a) Deliver pretenancy support services to determine the person's specific housing needs and assist the person in identifying permanent supportive housing options that are appropriate and safe for the person; (b) Fully incorporate the eligible person's available community support services into the case management services provided by the community support services provider; and (c) Deliver ongoing tenancy-sustaining services to support the person in maintaining successful tenancy. (4) Housing options offered to eligible participants may vary, subject to the availability of housing and funding. (5) The community support services benefit must be sustained or renewed in accordance with the eligibility standards in subsection (2) of this section, except that the standards related to homelessness shall be replaced with an assessment of the person's likelihood to become homeless in the event that the community support services benefit is terminated. The coordinating entity must adopt procedures to conduct community support services benefit renewals, according to authority standards.
RCW 74.08A.350 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 350
RCW 74.08A.350: Questionnaires—Job opportunities for welfare recipients.
Status: in_force

The department of social and health services shall create a questionnaire, asking businesses for information regarding available and upcoming job opportunities for welfare recipients. The department of revenue shall include the questionnaire in a regular quarterly mailing. The department of social and health services shall receive responses and use the information to develop work activities in the areas where jobs will be available.
RCW 74.20.330 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 330
RCW 74.20.330: Payment of public assistance as assignment of rights to support.
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever public assistance is paid under a state program funded under Title IV-A of the federal social security act as amended by the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, and the federal deficit reduction act of 2005, each applicant or recipient is deemed to have made assignment to the department of any rights to a support obligation from any other person the applicant or recipient may have in his or her own behalf or in behalf of any other family member for whom the applicant or recipient is applying for or receiving public assistance, including any unpaid support obligation or support debt which has accrued at the time the assignment is made. (2) Payment of public assistance under a state-funded program, or a program funded under Title IV-A, IV-E, or XIX of the federal social security act as amended by the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996 shall: (a) Operate as an assignment by operation of law; and (b) Constitute an authorization to the department to provide the assistance recipient with support enforcement services. (3) Effective October 1, 2008, whenever public assistance is paid under a state program funded under Title IV-A of the federal social security act as amended by the personal responsibility and work opportunity reconciliation act of 1996, and the federal deficit reduction act of 2005, a member of the family is deemed to have made an assignment to the state any right the family member may have, or on behalf of the family member receiving such assistance, to support from any other person, not exceeding the total amount of assistance paid to the family, which accrues during the period that the family receives assistance under the program.
RCW 74.04.520 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 520
RCW 74.04.520: Food stamp program—Confidentiality.
Status: in_force

The provisions of RCW 74.04.060 relating to disclosure of information regarding public assistance recipients shall apply to recipients of food stamps or food stamp benefits transferred electronically.
RCW 74.46.501 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 501
RCW 74.46.501: Average case mix indexes determined quarterly—Facility average case mix index—Medicaid average case mix index.
Status: in_force

(1) From individual case mix weights for the applicable quarter, the department shall determine two average case mix indexes for each medicaid nursing facility, one for all residents in the facility, known as the facility average case mix index, and one for medicaid residents, known as the medicaid average case mix index. (2)(a) In calculating a facility's two average case mix indexes for each quarter, the department shall include all residents or medicaid residents, as applicable, who were physically in the facility during the quarter in question based on the resident assessment instrument completed by the facility and the requirements and limitations for the instrument's completion and transmission (January 1st through March 31st, April 1st through June 30th, July 1st through September 30th, or October 1st through December 31st). (b) The facility average case mix index shall exclude all default cases as defined in this chapter. However, the medicaid average case mix index shall include all default cases. (3) Both the facility average and the medicaid average case mix indexes shall be determined by multiplying the case mix weight of each resident, or each medicaid resident, as applicable, by the number of days, as defined in this section and as applicable, the resident was at each particular case mix classification or group, and then averaging. (4) In determining the number of days a resident is classified into a particular case mix group, the department shall determine a start date for calculating case mix grouping periods as specified by rule. (5) The cut-off date for the department to use resident assessment data, for the purposes of calculating both the facility average and the medicaid average case mix indexes, and for establishing and updating a facility's direct care component rate, shall be one month and one day after the end of the quarter for which the resident assessment data applies. (6) Although the facility average and the medicaid average case mix indexes shall both be calculated quarterly, the cost-rebasing period facility average case mix index will be used throughout the applicable cost-rebasing period in combination with cost report data as specified by RCW 74.46.561 , to establish a facility's allowable cost per case mix unit. A facility's medicaid average case mix index shall be used to update a nursing facility's direct care component rate semiannually.
RCW 74.42.180 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 180
RCW 74.42.180: Social services.
Status: in_force

(1) The facility shall provide social services, or arrange for the provision of social services with qualified outside resources, for each resident whose comprehensive plan of care requires the provision of social services. (2) The facility shall designate one staff member qualified by training or experience to be responsible for arranging for social services in the facility or with qualified outside resources and integrating social services with other elements of the plan of care.
RCW 74.14C.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 14C / Section 020
RCW 74.14C.020: Preservation services.
Status: in_force

(1) Intensive family preservation services shall have all of the following characteristics: (a) Services are provided by specially trained service providers who have received at least forty hours of training from recognized intensive in-home services experts. Service providers deliver the services in the family's home, and other environments of the family, such as their neighborhood or schools; (b) Caseload size averages two families per service provider unless paraprofessional services are utilized, in which case a provider may, but is not required to, handle an average caseload of five families; (c) The services to the family are provided by a single service provider who may be assisted by paraprofessional workers, with backup providers identified to provide assistance as necessary; (d) Services are available to the family within twenty-four hours following receipt of a referral to the program; and (e) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, duration of service is limited to a maximum of forty days, unless paraprofessional workers are used, in which case the duration of services is limited to a maximum of ninety days. The department may authorize an additional provision of service through an exception to policy when the department and provider agree that additional services are needed. (2) Family preservation services shall have all of the following characteristics: (a) Services are delivered primarily in the family home or community; (b) Services are committed to reinforcing the strengths of the family and its members and empowering the family to solve problems and become self-sufficient; (c) Services are committed to providing support to families through community organizations including but not limited to school, church, cultural, ethnic, neighborhood, and business; (d) Services are available to the family within forty-eight hours of referral unless an exception is noted in the file; (e) Except as provided in subsection (4) of this section, duration of service is limited to a maximum of six months, unless the department requires additional follow-up on an individual case basis; (f) Caseload size no more than ten families per service provider, which can be adjusted when paraprofessional workers are used or required by the department; and (g) Support and retain foster families so they can provide quality family-based settings for children in foster care. (3) Preservation services shall include the following characteristics: (a) Services protect the child and strengthen the family; (b) Service providers have the authority and discretion to spend funds, up to a maximum amount specified by the department, to help families obtain necessary food, shelter, or clothing, or to purchase other goods or services that will enhance the effectiveness of intervention; (c) Services are available to the family twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week; (d) Services enhance parenting skills, family and personal self-sufficiency, functioning of the family, and reduce stress on families; and (e) Services help families locate and use additional assistance including, but not limited to, the development and maintenance of community support systems, counseling and treatment services, housing, child care, education, job training, emergency cash grants, state and federally funded public assistance, and other basic support services. (4) The department may offer or provide family preservation services or preservation services to families as remedial services pursuant to proceedings brought under chapter 13.34 RCW. If the department elects to do so, these services are not considered remedial services as defined in chapter 13.34 RCW, and the department may extend the duration of such services for a period of up to fifteen months following the return home of a child under chapter 13.34 RCW. The purpose for extending the duration of these services is to, whenever possible, facilitate safe and timely reunification of the family and to ensure the strength and stability of the reunification.
RCW 74.18.901 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 901
RCW 74.18.901: Conflict with federal requirements.
Status: in_force

If any part of this chapter is found to be in conflict with federal requirements which are a condition precedent to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this chapter is hereby declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict, and the findings or determination shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this chapter.
RCW 74.20A.056 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 056
RCW 74.20A.056: Notice and finding of financial responsibility pursuant to an acknowledgment of parentage—Procedure for contesting—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) If an acknowledged parent has signed an acknowledgment of parentage that has been filed with the state registrar of vital statistics: (i) The division of child support may serve a notice and finding of financial responsibility under RCW 74.20A.055 based on the acknowledgment. The division of child support shall attach a copy of the acknowledgment or certification of the birth record information advising of the existence of a filed acknowledgment of parentage to the notice; (ii) The notice shall include a statement that the acknowledged parent or any other signatory may commence a proceeding in court to rescind or challenge the acknowledgment or denial of parentage under RCW 26.26A.235 and 26.26A.240 ; (iii) A statement that the person required to pay support, and the payee under the order or the person entitled to receive support who is a parent of the child or children covered by the order, are responsible for providing health care coverage for the child if accessible coverage that can be extended to cover the child is or becomes available to the obligated person through employment or is union-related as provided under RCW 26.09.105 ; (iv) The party commencing the action to rescind or challenge the acknowledgment or denial must serve notice on the division of child support and the office of the prosecuting attorney in the county in which the proceeding is commenced. Commencement of a proceeding to rescind or challenge the acknowledgment or denial stays the establishment of the notice and finding of financial responsibility, if the notice has not yet become a final order; and (v) A statement that the support obligation under the order may be abated to ten dollars per month per order as provided in RCW 26.09.320 if the person required to pay support is confined in a jail, prison, or correctional facility for at least six months, or is serving a sentence greater than six months in a jail, prison, or correctional facility. (b) If neither party to the notice files an application for an adjudicative proceeding or the signatories to the acknowledgment or denial do not commence a proceeding to rescind or challenge the acknowledgment of parentage, the amount of support stated in the notice and finding of financial responsibility becomes final, subject only to a subsequent determination under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 that the parent-child relationship does not exist. The division of child support does not refund nor return any amounts collected under a notice that becomes final under this section or RCW 74.20A.055 , even if a court later determines that the acknowledgment is void. (c) An acknowledged parent or other party to the notice who objects to the amount of support requested in the notice may file an application for an adjudicative proceeding up to twenty days after the date the notice was served. An application for an adjudicative proceeding may be filed within one year of service of the notice and finding of parental responsibility without the necessity for a showing of good cause or upon a showing of good cause thereafter. An adjudicative proceeding under this section shall be pursuant to RCW 74.20A.055 . The only issues shall be the amount of the accrued debt and the amount of the current and future support obligation. (i) If the application for an adjudicative proceeding is filed within twenty days of service of the notice, collection action shall be stayed pending a final decision by the department. (ii) If the application for an adjudicative proceeding is not filed within twenty days of the service of the notice, any amounts collected under the notice shall be neither refunded nor returned if the person required to pay support under the notice is later found not to be required to pay support. (d) If neither the acknowledged parent nor the person entitled to receive support requests an adjudicative proceeding, or if no timely action is brought to rescind or challenge the acknowledgment or denial after service of the notice, the notice of financial responsibility becomes final for all intents and purposes and may be overturned only by a subsequent superior court order entered under RCW 26.26A.400 through 26.26A.515 . (2) Acknowledgments of parentage are subject to requirements of chapters 26.26A , 26.26B, and 70.58A RCW. (3) The department and the department of health may adopt rules to implement the requirements under this section. (4) The department has rule-making authority to enact rules consistent with 42 U.S.C. Sec. 652(f) and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 666(a)(19) as amended by section 7307 of the deficit reduction act of 2005. Additionally, the department has rule-making authority to implement regulations required under 45 C.F.R. Parts 302, 303, 304, 305, and 308.
RCW 74.66.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 66 / Section 020
RCW 74.66.020: Civil penalty—False or fraudulent claims.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to subsections (2) and (4) of this section, a person is liable to the government entity for a civil penalty of not less than the greater of ten thousand nine hundred fifty-seven dollars or the minimum inflation adjusted penalty amount imposed as provided by 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3729(a) and not more than the greater of twenty-one thousand nine hundred sixteen dollars or the maximum inflation adjusted penalty amount imposed as provided by 31 U.S.C. Sec. 3729(a), plus three times the amount of damages which the government entity sustains because of the act of that person, if the person: (a) Knowingly presents, or causes to be presented, a false or fraudulent claim for payment or approval; (b) Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used, a false record or statement material to a false or fraudulent claim; (c) Conspires to commit one or more of the violations in this subsection (1); (d) Has possession, custody, or control of property or money used, or to be used, by the government entity and knowingly delivers, or causes to be delivered, less than all of that money or property; (e) Is authorized to make or deliver a document certifying receipt of property used, or to be used, by the government entity and, intending to defraud the government entity, makes or delivers the receipt without completely knowing that the information on the receipt is true; (f) Knowingly buys, or receives as a pledge of an obligation or debt, public property from an officer or employee of the government entity who lawfully may not sell or pledge property; or (g) Knowingly makes, uses, or causes to be made or used a false record or statement material to an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the government entity, or knowingly conceals or knowingly and improperly avoids or decreases an obligation to pay or transmit money or property to the government entity. (2) The court may assess not less than two times the amount of damages which the government entity sustains because of the act of a person, if the court finds that: (a) The person committing the violation of subsection (1) of this section furnished the Washington state attorney general with all information known to him or her about the violation within thirty days after the date on which he or she first obtained the information; (b) The person fully cooperated with any investigation by the attorney general of the violation; and (c) At the time the person furnished the attorney general with the information about the violation, no criminal prosecution, civil action, or administrative action had commenced under this title with respect to the violation, and the person did not have actual knowledge of the existence of an investigation into the violation. (3) A person violating this section is liable to the attorney general for the costs of a civil action brought to recover any such penalty or damages. (4) For the purposes of determining whether an insurer has a duty to provide a defense or indemnification for an insured and if coverage may be denied if the terms of the policy exclude coverage for intentional acts, a violation of subsection (1) of this section is an intentional act.
RCW 74.08.278 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 278
RCW 74.08.278: Central operating fund established.
Status: in_force

In order to comply with federal statutes and regulations pertaining to federal matching funds and to provide for the prompt payment of initial grants and adjusting payments of grants the secretary is authorized to make provisions for the cash payment of assistance by the secretary or county administrators by the establishment of a central operating fund. The secretary may establish such a fund with the approval of the state auditor from moneys appropriated to the department for the payment of benefits under RCW 74.62.030 in a sum not to exceed one million dollars. Such funds shall be deposited as agreed upon by the secretary and the state auditor in accordance with the laws regulating the deposits of public funds. Such security shall be required of the depository in connection with the fund as the state treasurer may prescribe. Moneys remaining in the fund shall be returned to the general fund at the end of the biennium, or an accounting of proper expenditures from the fund shall be made to the state auditor. All expenditures from such central operating fund shall be reimbursed out of and charged to the proper program appropriated by the use of such forms and vouchers as are approved by the secretary of the department and the state auditor. Expenditures from such fund shall be audited by the director of financial management and the state auditor from time to time and a report shall be made by the state auditor and the secretary as are required by law.
RCW 74.08.370 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08 / Section 370
RCW 74.08.370: Old age assistance grants charged against general fund.
Status: in_force

All old age assistance grants under this title shall be a charge against and payable out of the general fund of the state. Payment thereof shall be by warrant drawn upon vouchers duly prepared and verified by the secretary of the department of social and health services or his or her official representative.
RCW 74.04.610 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 610
RCW 74.04.610: Supplemental security income program—Termination of federal financial assistance payments—Supersession by supplemental security income program.
Status: in_force

Effective January 1, 1974, the financial assistance payments under the federal aid categories of old age assistance, disability assistance, and blind assistance provided in chapters 74.08 , *74.10, and 74.16 RCW, respectively, and the corresponding provisions of RCW 74.04.005 , shall be terminated and superseded by the national program to provide supplemental security income to individuals who have attained age sixty-five or are blind or disabled as established by Public Law 92-603 and Public Law 93-66: PROVIDED, That the agreements between the department of social and health services and the United States department of health, education and welfare receive such legislative authorization and/or ratification as required by **RCW 74.04.630 .
RCW 74.13.670 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 670
RCW 74.13.670: Care provider immunity for allegation of failure to supervise a sexually reactive, physically assaultive, or physically aggressive youth—Conditions.
Status: in_force

(1) A care provider may not be found to have abused or neglected a child under chapter 26.44 RCW or be denied a license pursuant to chapter 74.15 RCW and RCW 74.13.031 for any allegations of failure to supervise in which: (a) The allegations arise from the child's conduct that is substantially similar to prior behavior of the child, and: (i) The child is a sexually reactive youth, exhibits high-risk behaviors, or is physically assaultive or physically aggressive as defined in RCW 74.13.280 , and this information and the child's prior behavior was not disclosed to the care provider as required by RCW 74.13.280 ; and (ii) The care provider did not know or have reason to know that the child needed supervision as a sexually reactive or physically assaultive or physically aggressive youth, or because of a documented history of high-risk behaviors, as a result of the care provider's involvement with or independent knowledge of the child or training and experience; or (b) The child was not within the reasonable control of the care provider at the time of the incident that is the subject of the allegation, and the care provider was acting in good faith and did not know or have reason to know that reasonable control or supervision of the child was necessary to prevent harm or risk of harm to the child or other persons. (2) Allegations of child abuse or neglect that meet the provisions of this section shall be designated as "unfounded" as defined in RCW 26.44.020 .
RCW 74.13B.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13B / Section 020
RCW 74.13B.020: Family support and related services—Performance-based contracting.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall enter into performance-based contracts for the provision of family support and related services. The department may enter into performance-based contracts for additional services, other than case management. (2) It is the goal of the legislature to expand the coverage area of network administrators to encompass the entire state. Recognizing that phased implementation may be necessary, the department shall conduct one or more procurement processes to expand the geographic coverage of network administrators for family support and related services. Expenditures for family support and related services purchased under this section must remain within the levels appropriated in the operating budget. (3)(a) Network administrators shall, directly or through subcontracts with service providers: (i) Assist caseworkers in meeting their responsibility for implementation of case plans and individual service and safety plans; (ii) Provide the family support and related services within the categories of contracted services that are included in a child or family's case plan or individual service and safety plan within funds available under contract; (iii) Manage the entire family support and related service array within the geographic boundaries of a given network; and (iv) Have the authority to redistribute funding within the network based on provider performance and the need to address service gaps if approval is provided by the department. (b) While the department caseworker retains responsibility for case management, nothing in chapter 205, Laws of 2012 limits the ability of the department to continue to contract for the provision of case management services by child-placing agencies, behavioral rehabilitation services agencies, or other entities that provided case management under contract with the department prior to July 1, 2005. (4) The procurement process must be developed and implemented in a manner that complies with applicable provisions of intergovernmental agreements between the state of Washington and tribal governments and must provide an opportunity for tribal governments to contract for service delivery through network administrators. (5) The procurement and resulting contracts must include, but are not limited to, the following standards and requirements: (a) The use of family engagement approaches to successfully motivate families to engage in services and training of the network's contracted providers to apply such approaches; (b) The use of parents and youth who are successful veterans of the child welfare system to act as mentors through activities that include, but are not limited to, helping families navigate the system, facilitating parent engagement, and minimizing distrust of the child welfare system; (c) The establishment of qualifications for service providers participating in provider networks, such as appropriate licensure or certification, education, and accreditation by professional accrediting entities; (d) Adequate provider capacity to meet the anticipated service needs in the network administrator's contracted service area. The network administrator must be able to demonstrate that its provider network is culturally competent and has adequate capacity to address disproportionality, including utilization of tribal and other ethnic providers capable of serving children and families of color or who need language-appropriate services; (e) Fiscal solvency of network administrators and providers participating in the network; (f) The use of evidence-based, research-based, and promising practices, where appropriate, including fidelity and quality assurance provisions; (g) Network administrator quality assurance activities, including monitoring of the performance of providers in their provider network, with respect to meeting measurable service outcomes; (h) Network administrator data reporting, including data on contracted provider performance and service outcomes; and (i) Network administrator compliance with applicable provisions of intergovernmental agreements between the state of Washington and tribal governments and the federal and Washington state Indian child welfare act. (6) As part of the procurement process under this section to expand the coverage of network administrators, the department shall issue the request for proposals or request for information no later than September 30, 2018, to expand the coverage area of the existing network administrator or expand the number of network administrators so that there is expanded network administrator coverage on the east side of the crest of the Cascade mountain range. Expanded implementation of performance-based contracting must begin no later than January 30, 2019, if a qualified organization responds to the procurement process. Based on the costs and benefits of the network administrator expansion in this subsection, the department shall submit a recommendation to the oversight board for children, youth, and families established pursuant to RCW 43.216.015 and the appropriate committees of the legislature by September 1, 2020, regarding the time frame for expansion of network administrator coverage to additional regions of the state. (7) Performance-based payment methodologies must be used in network administrator contracting. Performance measures should relate to successful engagement by a child or parent in services included in their case plan, and resulting improvement in identified problem behaviors and interactions. For the initial three-year period of implementation of performance-based contracting, the department may transfer financial risk for the provision of services to network administrators only to the limited extent necessary to implement a performance-based payment methodology, such as phased payment for services. However, the department may develop a shared savings methodology through which the network administrator will receive a defined share of any savings that result from improved performance. If the department receives a Title IV-E waiver, the shared savings methodology must be consistent with the terms of the waiver. If a shared savings methodology is adopted, the network administrator shall reinvest the savings in enhanced services to better meet the needs of the families and children they serve. (8) The department must actively monitor network administrator compliance with the terms of contracts executed under this section. (9) The use of performance-based contracts under this section must be done in a manner that does not adversely affect the state's ability to continue to obtain federal funding for child welfare-related functions currently performed by the state and with consideration of options to further maximize federal funding opportunities and increase flexibility in the use of such funds, including use for preventive and in-home child welfare services. (10) The department shall, consistent with state and federal confidentiality requirements: (a) Share all relevant data with the network administrators in order for the network administrators to track the performance and effectiveness of the services in the network; and (b) Make all performance data available to the public. (11) The department must not require existing network administrators to reapply to provide network administrator services in the coverage area of the existing network administrator on June 7, 2018. (12) Beginning January 1, 2019, and in compliance with RCW 43.01.036 , the department shall annually submit to the oversight board for children, youth, and families established pursuant to RCW 43.216.015 and the appropriate committees of the legislature a report detailing the status of the network administrator procurement and implementation process. (13) In determining the cost estimate for expanded network administrator implementation, the department shall consider the value of the existing data platform for child welfare services.
RCW 74.13.021 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 021
RCW 74.13.021: Developmentally disabled child—Defined.
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, " developmentally disabled child" is a child who has a developmental disability as defined in RCW 71A.10.020 and whose parent, guardian, or legal custodian and with the department mutually agree that services appropriate to the child's needs cannot be provided in the home.
RCW 74.41.050 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 41 / Section 050
RCW 74.41.050: Family caregiver long-term care information and support services—Respite services, evaluation of need, caregiver abilities.
Status: in_force

The department shall contract with area agencies on aging or other appropriate agencies to conduct family caregiver long-term care information and support services to the extent of available funding. The responsibilities of the agencies shall include but not be limited to: (1) Administering a program of family caregiver long-term care information and support services; (2) negotiating rates of payment, administering sliding-fee scales to enable eligible participants to participate in paying for respite care, and arranging for respite care information, training, and other support services; and (3) developing an evidence-based tailored caregiver assessment and referral tool. In evaluating the need for respite services, consideration shall be given to the mental and physical ability of the caregiver to perform necessary caregiver functions.
RCW 74.39A.095 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 095
RCW 74.39A.095: Case management services—Contractual requirements—Consumers' plans of care—Notification to consumer directed employer.
Status: in_force

(1) In carrying out case management responsibilities established under RCW 74.39A.090 for consumers who are receiving services under programs authorized through the medicaid state plan, medicaid waiver authorities, or similar state-funded in-home care programs, to the extent of available funding, the contracts with each area agency on aging or federally recognized Indian tribe shall require the contracted agency to: (a) Work with each client to develop a plan of care under this section that identifies and ensures coordination of health and long-term care services and supports. In developing the plan, the area agency on aging or federally recognized Indian tribe shall use and modify as needed any comprehensive plan of care developed by the department as provided in RCW 74.39A.040 ; (b) Monitor the implementation of the consumer's plan of care to verify that it adequately meets the needs of the consumer through activities such as home visits, telephone contacts, and responses to information received by the area agency on aging or federally recognized Indian tribe indicating that a consumer may be experiencing problems relating to his or her home care; (c) Reassess and reauthorize services; (d) Explain to the consumer that consumers have the right to waive case management services offered by the area agency on aging or federally recognized Indian tribe, except consumers may not waive the reassessment or reauthorization of services, or verification that services are being provided in accordance with the plan of care; and (e) Document the waiver of any case management services by the consumer. (2) Each consumer has the right to direct and participate in the development of their plan of care to the maximum extent practicable, and to be provided with the time and support necessary to facilitate that participation. (3) As authorized by the consumer, a copy of the plan of care may be distributed to: (a) The consumer's individual provider contracted with the department; (b) the entity contracted with the department to provide personal care services; and (c) other relevant providers with whom the consumer has frequent contact. (4) If an individual provider is employed by a consumer directed employer, the department, area agency on aging, or federally recognized Indian tribe must notify the consumer directed employer if: (a) There is reason to believe that an individual provider or prospective individual provider is not delivering or will not be able to deliver the services identified in the consumer's plan of care; or (b) The individual provider's performance is jeopardizing the health, safety, or well-being of a consumer receiving services under this section.
RCW 74.09.330 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 330
RCW 74.09.330: Reimbursement methodology for ambulance services—Transport of a medical assistance enrollee to a mental health facility or chemical dependency program.
Status: in_force

The authority shall develop a reimbursement methodology for ambulance services when transporting a medical assistance enrollee to a mental health facility or chemical dependency program in accordance with the applicable alternative facility procedures adopted under RCW 70.168.100 .
RCW 74.13A.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 020
RCW 74.13A.020: Adoption support program administration—Rules and regulations—Disbursements from general fund, criteria—Limits.
Status: in_force

(1) The secretary shall issue rules and regulations to assist in the administration of the program of adoption support authorized by RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 . (2) Disbursements from the appropriations available from the general fund shall be made pursuant to such rules and regulations and pursuant to agreements conforming thereto to be made by the secretary with parents for the purpose of supporting the adoption of children in, or likely to be placed in, foster homes or child caring institutions who are found by the secretary to be difficult to place in adoption because of physical or other reasons; including, but not limited to, disabilities, emotional disturbance, ethnic background, language, race, color, age, or sibling grouping. (3) Such agreements shall meet the following criteria: (a) The child whose adoption is to be supported pursuant to such agreement shall be or have been a child hard to place in adoption. (b) Such agreement must relate to a child who was or is residing in a foster home or child-caring institution or a child who, in the judgment of the secretary, is both eligible for, and likely to be placed in, either a foster home or a child-caring institution. (c) Such agreement shall provide that adoption support shall not continue beyond the time that the adopted child reaches eighteen years of age, becomes emancipated, dies, or otherwise ceases to need support. If the secretary finds that continuing dependency of such child after such child reaches eighteen years of age warrants the continuation of support pursuant to RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 the secretary may do so, subject to all the provisions of RCW 26.33.320 and 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , including annual review of the amount of such support. (d) Any prospective parent who is to be a party to such agreement shall be a person who has the character, judgment, sense of responsibility, and disposition which make him or her suitable as an adoptive parent of such child. (4) At least six months before an adoption is finalized under chapter 26.33 RCW and RCW 74.13A.005 through 74.13A.080 , the department must provide to the prospective adoptive parent, in writing, information describing the limits of the adoption support program including the following information: (a) The limits on monthly cash payments to adoptive families; (b) The limits on the availability of children's mental health services and the funds with which to pay for these services; (c) The process for accessing mental health services for children receiving adoption support services; (d) The limits on the one-time cash payments to adoptive families for expenses related to their adopted children; and (e) That payment for residential or group care is not available for adopted children under the adoption support program.
RCW 74.39.070 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39 / Section 070
RCW 74.39.070: Personal aide—Qualification exemptions.
Status: in_force

A personal aide, in the performance of a health care task, who is directed and supervised by a person with a functional disability in his or her own home, is exempt from any legal requirement to qualify and be credentialed by the department of health as a health care provider under Title 18 RCW to the extent of the responsibilities provided and health care tasks performed under chapter 336, Laws of 1999. Nothing in this section exempts an individual provider from being required to become a certified home care aide under chapter 18.88B RCW.
RCW 74.20A.150 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 150
RCW 74.20A.150: Satisfaction of lien after foreclosure proceedings instituted—Redemption.
Status: in_force

Any person owning real property, or any interest in real property, against which a support lien has been filed and foreclosure instituted, shall have the right to pay the amount due, together with expenses of the proceedings and reasonable attorneys' fees to the secretary and upon such payment the secretary shall restore said property to him or her and all further proceedings in the said foreclosure action shall cease. Said person shall also have the right within two hundred forty days after sale of property foreclosed under RCW 74.20A.140 to redeem said property by making payment to the purchaser in the amount paid by the purchaser plus interest thereon at the rate of six percent per annum.
RCW 74.76.010 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 76 / Section 010
RCW 74.76.010: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter and chapter 48.208 RCW unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Authority" means the Washington state health care authority. (2) "Commissioner" means the insurance commissioner or his or her designee. (3) "Covered lives" means all persons residing in Washington state who are covered: (a) Under a fully insured individual or group health plan issued or delivered in Washington state; or (b) By a medicaid managed care organization. (4) "Health carrier" or "carrier" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.005 . (5) "Health plan" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 48.43.005 and does not include medicare advantage plans established under medicare part C or outpatient prescription drug plans established under medicare part D. (6) "Medicaid managed care organization" means a managed health care system under contract with the state of Washington to provide services to medicaid enrollees under RCW 74.09.522 .
RCW 74.08A.240 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 240
RCW 74.08A.240: Noncustodial parents in work programs.
Status: in_force

The department may provide Washington WorkFirst activities or make cross-referrals to existing programs to qualifying noncustodial parents of children receiving temporary assistance for needy families who are unable to meet their child support obligations. Services authorized under this section shall be provided within available funds.
RCW 74.08A.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 020
RCW 74.08A.020: Electronic benefit transfer.
Status: in_force

By October 2002, the department shall develop and implement an electronic benefit transfer system to be used for the delivery of public assistance benefits, including without limitation, food assistance. The department shall comply with P.L. 104-193, and shall cooperate with relevant federal agencies in the design and implementation of the electronic benefit transfer system.
RCW 74.18.123 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 18 / Section 123
RCW 74.18.123: Background checks—Individuals having unsupervised access to persons with significant disabilities—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall investigate the conviction records, pending charges, and disciplinary board final decisions of individuals acting on behalf of the department who will or may have unsupervised access to persons with significant disabilities as defined by the federal rehabilitation act of 1973. This includes: (a) Current employees of the department; (b) Applicants seeking or being considered for any position with the department; and (c) Any service provider, contractor, student intern, volunteer, or other individual acting on behalf of the department. (2) The investigation shall consist of a background check as allowed through the Washington state criminal records privacy act under RCW 10.97.050 , the Washington state patrol criminal identification system under RCW 43.43.832 through 43.43.834 , and the federal bureau of investigation. The background check shall include a fingerprint check using a complete Washington state criminal identification fingerprint card. If the applicant or service provider has had a background check within the previous two years, the department may waive the requirement. (3) When necessary, applicants may be employed and service providers may be engaged on a conditional basis pending completion of the background check. (4) The department shall use the information solely to determine the character, suitability, and competence of employees, applicants, service providers, contractors, student interns, volunteers, and other individuals in accordance with RCW 41.06.475 . (5) The department shall adopt rules addressing procedures for undertaking background checks which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (a) The manner in which the individual will be provided access to and review of information obtained based on the background check required; (b) Assurance that access to background check information shall be limited to only those individuals processing the information at the department; (c) Action that shall be taken against a current employee, service provider, contractor, student intern, or volunteer who is disqualified from a position because of a background check not previously performed. (6) The department shall determine who will pay costs associated with the background check.
RCW 74.13.520 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 520
RCW 74.13.520: Disclosure of child welfare records—Information not to be disclosed.
Status: in_force

Except as it applies directly to the cause of the abuse or neglect of the child and any actions taken by the department in response to reports of abuse or neglect of the child, nothing in RCW 74.13.500 through 74.13.515 is deemed to authorize the release or disclosure of the substance or content of any psychological, psychiatric, therapeutic, clinical, or medical reports, evaluations, or like materials, or information pertaining to the child or the child's family.
RCW 74.09.515 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 515
RCW 74.09.515: Medical assistance—Coverage for youth released from confinement.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority shall adopt rules and policies providing that when youth who were enrolled in a medical assistance program immediately prior to confinement are released from confinement, their medical assistance coverage will be fully reinstated on the day of their release, subject to any expedited review of their continued eligibility for medical assistance coverage that is required under federal or state law. (2) The authority, in collaboration with the department, county juvenile court administrators, managed care organizations, the department of children, youth, and families, and behavioral health administrative services organizations, shall establish procedures for coordination among field offices, juvenile rehabilitation institutions, and county juvenile courts that result in prompt reinstatement of eligibility and speedy eligibility determinations for youth who are likely to be eligible for medical assistance services upon release from confinement. Procedures developed under this subsection must address: (a) Mechanisms for receiving medical assistance services' applications on behalf of confined youth in anticipation of their release from confinement; (b) Expeditious review of applications filed by or on behalf of confined youth and, to the extent practicable, completion of the review before the youth is released; and (c) Mechanisms for providing medical assistance services' identity cards to youth eligible for medical assistance services immediately upon their release from confinement. (3) For purposes of this section, "confined" or "confinement" means detained in a juvenile rehabilitation facility operated by or under contract with the department of children, youth, and families, or detained in a juvenile detention facility operated under chapter 13.04 RCW. (4) The authority shall adopt standardized statewide screening and application practices and forms designed to facilitate the application of a confined youth who is likely to be eligible for a medical assistance program.
RCW 74.13.621 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 621
RCW 74.13.621: Kinship care oversight committee.
Status: in_force

(1) Within existing resources, the department shall establish an oversight committee to monitor, guide, and report on kinship care recommendations and implementation activities. The committee shall: (a) Draft a kinship care definition that is restricted to persons related by blood, marriage, or adoption, including marriages that have been dissolved, or for a minor defined as an "Indian child" under the federal Indian child welfare act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.), the definition of "extended family member" under the federal Indian child welfare act, and a set of principles. If the committee concludes that one or more programs or services would be more efficiently and effectively delivered under a different definition of kin, it shall state what definition is needed, and identify the program or service in the report. It shall also provide evidence of how the program or service will be more efficiently and effectively delivered under the different definition. The department shall not adopt rules or policies changing the definition of kin without authorizing legislation; (b) Monitor and provide consultation on the implementation of recommendations contained in the 2002 kinship care report, including but not limited to the recommendations relating to legal and respite care services and resources; (c) Partner with nonprofit organizations and private sector businesses to guide a public education awareness campaign; (d) Assist with developing future recommendations on kinship care issues; and (e) Coordinate with the kinship care legal aid coordinator to develop, expand, and deliver training materials designed to help pro bono and low bono attorneys provide legal advice and assistance to kinship caregivers on matters that relate to their ability to meet physical, mental, social, educational, and other needs of children and youth in their care. (2) The department shall consult with the oversight committee on its efforts to better collaborate and coordinate services to benefit kinship care families. (3) The oversight committee must consist of a minimum of thirty percent kinship caregivers, who shall represent a diversity of kinship families. Statewide representation with geographic, ethnic, and gender diversity is required. Other members shall include representatives of the department, representatives of relevant state agencies, representatives of the private nonprofit and business sectors, child advocates, representatives of Washington state Indian tribes as defined under the federal Indian welfare act (25 U.S.C. Sec. 1901 et seq.), and representatives of the legal or judicial field. Birth parents, foster parents, and others who have an interest in these issues may also be included. (4) To the extent funding is available, the department may reimburse nondepartmental members of the oversight committee for costs incurred in participating in the meetings of the oversight committee. (5) The kinship care oversight committee shall update the legislature and governor annually on committee activities, with each update due by December 1st.
RCW 74.60.902 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 60 / Section 902
RCW 74.60.902: Expiration of chapter—2010 1st sp.s. c 30.
Status: in_force

Upon expiration of chapter 74.60 RCW, inpatient and outpatient hospital reimbursement rates shall return to a funding level as if the four percent medicaid inpatient and outpatient rate reductions did not occur on July 1, 2009, using the rate structure in effect July 1, 2015, or as otherwise specified in the 2019-2021 biennial operating appropriations act.
RCW 74.62.005 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 62 / Section 005
RCW 74.62.005: Findings—Intent—2011 1st sp.s. c 36.
Status: in_force

(1) The legislature finds that: (a) Persons who have a long-term disability and apply for federal supplemental security income benefits should receive assistance while their application for federal benefits is pending; (b) Persons who are incapacitated from gainful employment for an extended period, but who may not meet the level of severity of a long-term disability, are at increased risk of homelessness; and (c) Persons who are homeless and suffering from significant medical impairments, mental illness, or substance use disorder face substantial barriers to successful participation in, and completion of, needed medical or behavioral health treatment services. Stable housing increases the likelihood of compliance with and completion of treatment. (2) Through chapter 36, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess., the legislature intends to: (a) Terminate all components of the disability lifeline program created in 2010 and codified in *RCW 74.04.005 and create new programs: (i) To provide financial grants through the aged, blind, or disabled assistance program and the pregnant women assistance program; and (ii) to provide services through the essential needs and housing support program; and (b) Increase opportunities to utilize limited public funding, combined with private charitable and volunteer efforts to serve persons who are recipients of the benefits provided by the new programs created under chapter 36, Laws of 2011 1st sp. sess.
RCW 74.39A.240 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 240
RCW 74.39A.240: Definitions.
Status: in_force

The definitions in this section apply throughout RCW 74.39A.030 , 74.39A.095 , * 74.39A.220 through 74.39A.300 , and ** 41.56.151 unless the context clearly requires otherwise. (1) "Consumer" means a person to whom an individual provider provides any such services. (2) "Department" means the department of social and health services. (3) "Individual provider" means a person, including a personal aide, who, under an individual provider contract with the department or as an employee of a consumer directed employer, provides personal care or respite care services to persons who are functionally disabled or otherwise eligible under programs authorized and funded by the medicaid state plan, medicaid waiver programs[,] chapter 71A.12 RCW, RCW 74.13.270 , or similar state-funded in-home care programs.
RCW 74.13.632 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 632
RCW 74.13.632: School-aged youth in out-of-home care—Educational experiences and progress—Reports.
Status: in_force

(1) A university-based child welfare research entity shall include in its reporting the educational experiences and progress of students in out-of-home care with the department. This data must be disaggregated in the smallest units allowable by law that do not identify an individual student, in order to learn which of the department's offices and school districts are experiencing the greatest success and challenges in achieving quality educational outcomes with students in out-of-home care with the department. (2) By January 1, 2015 and annually thereafter, the university-based child welfare research entity must submit a report to the legislature. To the extent possible, the report should include, but is not limited to, information on the following measures for a youth who is a dependent pursuant to chapter 13.34 RCW: (a) Aggregate scores from the Washington state kindergarten readiness assessment; (b) Aggregate scores from the third grade statewide student assessment in reading; (c) Number of youth graduating from high school with a documented plan for postsecondary education, employment, or military service; (d) Number of youth completing one year of postsecondary education, the equivalent of first-year student credits, or achieving a postsecondary certificate; and (e) Number of youth who complete an associate or bachelor's degree. (3) The report must identify strengths and weaknesses in practice and recommend to the legislature strategy and needed resources for improvement.
RCW 74.13.901 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 901
RCW 74.13.901: Construction—Chapter applicable to state registered domestic partnerships—2009 c 521.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, the terms spouse, marriage, marital, husband, wife, widow, widower, next of kin, and family shall be interpreted as applying equally to state registered domestic partnerships or individuals in state registered domestic partnerships as well as to marital relationships and married persons, and references to dissolution of marriage shall apply equally to state registered domestic partnerships that have been terminated, dissolved, or invalidated, to the extent that such interpretation does not conflict with federal law. Where necessary to implement chapter 521, Laws of 2009, gender-specific terms such as husband and wife used in any statute, rule, or other law shall be construed to be gender neutral, and applicable to individuals in state registered domestic partnerships. Nothing in chapter 521, Laws of 2009 shall be construed as creating or requiring the creation of any medical assistance program, as that term is defined in RCW 74.09.010 , for state registered domestic partners that is analogous to federal medical assistance programs extended to married persons.
RCW 74.46.571 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 571
RCW 74.46.571: Nursing home payment rates—Rules.
Status: in_force

The department shall adopt rules as are necessary and reasonable to effectuate and maintain the new system for establishing nursing home payment rates described in RCW 74.46.561 and the minimum staffing standards described in RCW 74.42.360 . The rules must be consistent with the principles described in RCW 74.46.561 and 74.42.360 . In adopting such rules, the department shall solicit the opinions of nursing facility providers, nursing facility provider associations, nursing facility employees, and nursing facility consumer groups.
RCW 74.13.250 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 250
RCW 74.13.250: Preservice training—Foster parents.
Status: in_force

(1) Preservice training is recognized as a valuable tool to reduce placement disruptions, the length of time children are in care, and foster parent turnover rates. Preservice training also assists potential foster parents in making their final decisions about foster parenting and assists social service agencies in obtaining information about whether to approve potential foster parents. (2) Foster parent preservice training shall include information about the potential impact of placement on foster children; social service agency administrative processes; the requirements, responsibilities, expectations, and skills needed to be a foster parent; attachment, separation, and loss issues faced by birth parents, foster children, and foster parents; child management and discipline; birth family relationships; information on the limits of the adoption support program as provided in RCW 74.13A.020 (4); and helping children leave foster care. Preservice training shall assist applicants in making informed decisions about whether they want to be foster parents. Preservice training shall be designed to enable the agency to assess the ability, readiness, and appropriateness of families to be foster parents. As a decision tool, effective preservice training provides potential foster parents with enough information to make an appropriate decision, affords potential foster parents an opportunity to discuss their decision with others and consider its implications for their family, clarifies foster family expectations, presents a realistic picture of what foster parenting involves, and allows potential foster parents to consider and explore the different types of children they might serve. (3) Foster parents shall complete preservice training before the issuance of a foster care license, except that the department may, on a case by case basis, issue a written waiver that allows the foster parent to complete the training after licensure, so long as the training is completed within ninety days following licensure. (4) All components of the foster parent preservice training shall be made available online. The department shall allow individuals to complete as much online preservice training as is practicable while requiring that some preservice training be completed in person.
RCW 74.42.210 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 210
RCW 74.42.210: Pharmacist services.
Status: in_force

The facility shall either employ a licensed pharmacist responsible for operating the facility's pharmacy or have a written agreement with a licensed pharmacist who will advise the facility on ordering, storage, administration, disposal, and recordkeeping of drugs and biologicals.
RCW 74.34.090 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 34 / Section 090
RCW 74.34.090: Data collection system—Confidentiality.
Status: in_force

The department shall maintain a system for statistical data collection, accessible for bona fide research only as the department by rule prescribes. The identity of any person is strictly confidential.
RCW 74.20.300 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 300
RCW 74.20.300: Department exempt from fees relating to paternity or support.
Status: in_force

No filing or recording fees, court fees, or fees for making copies of documents shall be required from the state department of social and health services by any county clerk, county auditor, or other county officer for the filing of any actions or documents necessary to establish paternity or enforce or collect support moneys. Filing fees shall also not be required of any prosecuting attorney or the attorney general for action to establish paternity or enforce or collect support moneys.
RCW 74.20A.270 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 270
RCW 74.20A.270: Department claim for support moneys—Notice—Answer—Adjudicative proceeding—Judicial review—Moneys not subject to claim.
Status: in_force

(1) The secretary may issue a notice of retained support or notice to recover a support payment to any person: (a) Who is in possession of support moneys, or who has had support moneys in his or her possession at some time in the past, which support moneys were or are claimed by the department as the property of the department by assignment, subrogation, or by operation of law or legal process under chapter 74.20A RCW; (b) Who has received a support payment erroneously directed to the wrong payee, or issued by the department in error; or (c) Who is in possession of a support payment obtained through the internal revenue service tax refund offset process, which payment was later reclaimed from the department by the internal revenue service as a result of an amended tax return filed by the obligor or the obligor's spouse. (2) The notice shall state the legal basis for the claim and shall provide sufficient detail to enable the person to identify the support moneys in issue. (3) The department shall serve the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, or in the manner of a summons in a civil action. (4) The amounts claimed in the notice shall become assessed, determined, and subject to collection twenty days from the date of service of the notice unless within those twenty days the person in possession of the support moneys: (a) Acknowledges the department's right to the moneys and executes an agreed settlement providing for repayment of the moneys; or (b) Requests an adjudicative proceeding to determine the rights to ownership of the support moneys in issue. The hearing shall be held pursuant to this section, chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act, and the rules of the department. The burden of proof to establish ownership of the support moneys claimed is on the department. (5) After the twenty-day period, a person served with a notice under this section may, at any time within one year from the date of service of the notice of support debt, petition the secretary or the secretary's designee for an adjudicative proceeding upon a showing of any of the grounds enumerated in RCW 4.72.010 or superior court civil rule 60. A copy of the petition shall also be served on the department. The filing of the petition shall not stay any collection action being taken, but the debtor may petition the secretary or the secretary's designee for an order staying collection action pending the final administrative order. Any such moneys held and/or taken by collection action after the date of any such stay shall be held by the department pending the final order, to be disbursed in accordance with the final order. (6) If the debtor fails to attend or participate in the hearing or other stage of an adjudicative proceeding, the presiding officer shall, upon showing of valid service, enter an order declaring the amount of support moneys, as claimed in the notice, to be assessed and determined and subject to collection action. (7) The department may take action to collect an obligation established under this section using any remedy available under this chapter or chapter 26.09 , 26.18, 26.23, or 74.20 RCW for the collection of child support. (8) If, at any time, the superior court enters judgment for an amount of debt at variance with the amount determined by the final order in an adjudicative proceeding, the judgment shall supersede the final administrative order. The department may take action pursuant to chapter 74.20 or 74.20A RCW to obtain such a judgment or to collect moneys determined by such a judgment to be due and owing. (9) If a person owing a debt established under this section is receiving public assistance, the department may collect the debt by offsetting up to ten percent of the grant payment received by the person. No collection action may be taken against the earnings of a person receiving cash public assistance to collect a debt assessed under this section. (10) Payments not credited against the department's debt pursuant to RCW 74.20.101 may not be assessed or collected under this section.
RCW 74.09.195 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 195
RCW 74.09.195: Audits of health care providers by the authority—Requirements—Procedure.
Status: in_force

(1) Audits of the records of health care providers performed under this chapter are subject to the following: (a) The authority must provide at least thirty calendar days' notice before scheduling any on-site audit, unless there is evidence of danger to public health and safety or fraudulent activities; (b) The authority must make a good faith effort to establish a mutually agreed upon time and date for the on-site audit; (c) The authority must allow providers, at their request, to submit records requested as a result of an audit in electronic format, including compact disc, digital versatile disc, or other electronic formats deemed appropriate by the authority, or by facsimile transmission; (d) The authority shall make reasonable efforts to avoid reviewing claims that are currently being audited by the authority, that have already been audited by the authority, or that are currently being audited by another governmental entity; (e) A finding of overpayment to a provider in a program operated or administered by the authority may not be based on extrapolation unless there is a determination of sustained high level of payment error involving the provider or when documented educational intervention has failed to correct the level of payment error. Any finding that is based upon extrapolation, and the related sampling, must be established to be statistically fair and reasonable in order to be valid. The sampling methodology used must be validated by a statistician or person with equivalent experience as having a confidence level of ninety-five percent or greater; (f) The authority must provide a detailed explanation in writing to a provider for any adverse determination that would result in partial or full recoupment of a payment to the provider. The written notification shall, at a minimum, include the following: (i) The reason for the adverse determination; (ii) the specific criteria on which the adverse determination was based; (iii) an explanation of the provider's appeal rights; and (iv) if applicable, the appropriate procedure to submit a claims adjustment in accordance with subsection (3) of this section; (g) The authority may not recoup overpayments until all informal and formal appeals processes have been completed; (h) The authority must offer a provider with an adverse determination the option of repaying the amount owed according to a negotiated repayment plan of up to twelve months; (i) The authority must produce a preliminary report or draft audit findings within one hundred twenty days from the receipt of all requested information as identified in writing by the authority; and (j) In the event that the authority seeks to recoup funds from a provider who is no longer a contractor with the medical assistance program, the authority must provide a description of the claim, including the patient name, date of service, and procedure. A provider is not required to obtain a court order to receive such information. (2) Any contractor that conducts audits of the medical assistance program on behalf of the authority must comply with the requirements in this subsection and must: (a) In any appeal by a health care provider, employ or contract with a medical or dental professional who practices within the same specialty, is board certified, and experienced in the treatment, billing, and coding procedures used by the provider being audited to make findings and determinations; (b) Compile, on an annual basis, metrics specified by the authority. The authority shall publish the metrics on its website. The metrics must, at a minimum, include: (i) The number and type of claims reviewed; (ii) The number of records requested; (iii) The number of overpayments and underpayments identified by the contractor; (iv) The aggregate dollar amount associated with identified overpayments and underpayments; (v) The duration of audits from initiation until time of completion; (vi) The number of adverse determinations and the overturn rates of those determinations at each stage of the informal and formal appeal process; (vii) The number of informal and formal appeals filed by providers categorized by disposition status; (viii) The contractor's compensation structure and dollar amount of compensation; and (ix) A copy of the authority's contract with the contractor. (3) The authority shall develop and implement a procedure by which an improper payment identified by an audit may be resubmitted as a claims adjustment. (4) The authority shall provide educational and training programs annually for providers. The training topics must include a summary of audit results, a description of common issues, problems and mistakes identified through audits and reviews, and opportunities for improvement.
RCW 74.20A.324 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 324
RCW 74.20A.324: License suspension—Certification of noncompliance.
Status: in_force

(1) The department may certify to the department of licensing and any appropriate licensing entity the name of a responsible parent who is not in compliance with a child support order if: (a) Within twenty-one days after service of a notice issued under RCW 74.20A.320 , the responsible parent does not request an adjudicative proceeding or file a motion with the appropriate court or administrative forum to modify the child support obligation; (b) An adjudicative proceeding results in a decision that the responsible parent is not in compliance with a child support order and has not made a good faith effort to comply; (c) The court enters a judgment on a petition for judicial review that finds the responsible parent is not in compliance with a child support order and has not made a good faith effort to comply; or (d) The responsible parent fails to comply with a payment schedule established pursuant to RCW 74.20A.326 . (2) The department shall send by regular mail a copy of any certification of noncompliance filed with the department of licensing or a licensing entity to the responsible parent at the responsible parent's most recent address of record along with information as to how the parent may get his or her license reinstated. (3) The department of licensing and a licensing entity shall, without undue delay, notify a responsible parent certified by the department under subsection (1) of this section that the parent's driver's license or other license has been suspended because the parent's name has been certified by the department as a responsible parent who is not in compliance with a child support order.
RCW 74.15.901 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 901
RCW 74.15.901: Federal waivers—1999 c 267 ss 10-26.
Status: in_force

(1) The department of social and health services shall seek any necessary federal waivers for federal funding of the programs created under sections 10 through 26, chapter 267, Laws of 1999. The department shall pursue federal funding sources for the programs created under sections 10 through 26, chapter 267, Laws of 1999, and report to the legislature any statutory barriers to federal funding. (2) The department of children, youth, and families shall seek any necessary federal waivers for federal funding of the programs created under sections 10 through 26, chapter 267, Laws of 1999. The department shall pursue federal funding sources for the programs created under sections 10 through 26, chapter 267, Laws of 1999, and report to the legislature any statutory barriers to federal funding.
RCW 74.20A.188 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 188
RCW 74.20A.188: Request for assistance on automated enforcement of interstate case—Certification required.
Status: in_force

(1) Before the state may assist another state or jurisdiction with a high-volume automated administrative enforcement of an interstate case, the requesting state must certify that: (a) The requesting state has met all due process requirements for the establishment of the support order; (b) The requesting state has met all due process requirements for the enforcement of the support order, including that the obligor has been notified that another state may take action against the obligor's wages, earnings, assets, or benefits, and may enforce against the obligor's real and personal property under the child support statutes of this state or any other state without further notice; and (c) The amount of arrears transmitted by the requesting state is due under the support order. (2) Receipt of a request for assistance on automated enforcement of an interstate case by the state constitutes certification under this section.
RCW 74.09.555 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 555
RCW 74.09.555: Medical assistance—Reinstatement upon release from confinement—Expedited eligibility determinations.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority shall adopt rules and policies providing that when persons who were enrolled in medical assistance immediately prior to confinement, or who become enrolled in medical assistance in suspense status during the period of confinement, are released from confinement, their medical assistance coverage shall be fully reinstated no later than at the moment of their release, subject to any expedited review of their continued eligibility for medical assistance coverage that is required under federal or state law. The authority may reinstate medical assistance prior to the day of release provided that no federal funds are expended for any purpose that is not authorized by the state's agreements with the federal government. (2) The authority, in collaboration with the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, the department of corrections, the department of children, youth, and families, managed care organizations, and behavioral health administrative services organizations, shall establish procedures for coordination between the authority and department field offices, institutions for mental disease, correctional facilities, as defined in RCW 72.09.015 and 70.48.020 , and institutions or facilities operated by the department of children, youth, and families, that result in prompt reinstatement of eligibility and speedy eligibility determinations for medical assistance services upon release from confinement. Procedures developed under this subsection must address: (a) Mechanisms for receiving medical assistance services applications on behalf of confined persons in anticipation of their release from confinement; (b) Expeditious review of applications filed by or on behalf of confined persons and, to the extent practicable, completion of the review before the person is released; (c) Mechanisms for providing medical assistance services identity cards to persons eligible for medical assistance services before their release from confinement; (d) Coordination with the federal social security administration, through interagency agreements or otherwise, to expedite processing of applications for federal supplemental security income or social security disability benefits, including federal acceptance of applications on behalf of confined persons; and (e) Assuring that notification of the person's release date, current location, and other appropriate information is provided to the person's managed care organization before the person's scheduled release from confinement, or as soon as practicable thereafter. (3) Where medical or psychiatric examinations during a person's confinement indicate that the person is disabled, the correctional facility, institution for mental diseases, or institution or facility operated by the department of children, youth, and families, shall provide the authority with that information for purposes of making medical assistance eligibility and enrollment determinations prior to the person's release from confinement. The authority shall, to the maximum extent permitted by federal law, use the examination in making its determination whether the person is disabled and eligible for medical assistance. (4) For purposes of this section, "confined" or "confinement" means incarcerated in a correctional facility, as defined in RCW 72.09.015 and 70.48.020 , held in an institution or facility operated by the department of children, youth, and families, or admitted to an institute for mental disease, as defined in 42 C.F.R. part 435, Sec. 1009 on July 24, 2005. (5) The economic services administration within the department shall adopt standardized statewide screening and application practices and forms designed to facilitate the application of a confined person for medicaid.
RCW 74.42.260 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 42 / Section 260
RCW 74.42.260: Drug storage, security, inventory.
Status: in_force

(1) The facility shall store drugs under proper conditions of sanitation, temperature, light, moisture, ventilation, segregation, and security. Poisons, drugs used externally, and drugs taken internally shall be stored on separate shelves or in separate cabinets at all locations. When medication is stored in a refrigerator containing other items, the medication shall be kept in a separate compartment with proper security. All drugs shall be kept under lock and key unless an authorized individual is in attendance. (2) The facility shall meet the drug security requirements of federal and state laws that apply to storerooms, pharmacies, and living units. (3) If there is a drug storeroom separate from the pharmacy, the facility shall keep a perpetual inventory of receipts and issues of all drugs from that storeroom.
RCW 74.08A.130 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 130
RCW 74.08A.130: Immigrants—Naturalization facilitation.
Status: in_force

The department shall make an affirmative effort to identify and proactively contact legal immigrants receiving public assistance to facilitate their applications for naturalization. The department shall obtain a complete list of legal immigrants in Washington who are receiving correspondence regarding their eligibility from the social security administration. The department shall inform immigrants regarding how citizenship may be attained. In order to facilitate the citizenship process, the department shall coordinate and contract, to the extent necessary, with existing public and private resources and shall, within available funds, ensure that those immigrants who qualify to apply for naturalization are referred to or otherwise offered classes. The department shall assist eligible immigrants in obtaining appropriate test exemptions, and other exemptions in the naturalization process, to the extent permitted under federal law.
RCW 74.66.030 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 66 / Section 030
RCW 74.66.030: Public records exemption.
Status: in_force

Any information furnished pursuant to this chapter is exempt from disclosure under the public records act, chapter 42.56 RCW, until final disposition and all court-ordered seals are lifted.
RCW 74.13.060 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 060
RCW 74.13.060: Secretary as custodian of funds of person placed with department or its agent—Authority—Limitations—Termination.
Status: in_force

*** CHANGE IN 2026 *** (SEE 5911-S.SL ) ***

(1) The secretary or his or her designees or delegatees shall be the custodian without compensation of such moneys and other funds of any person which may come into the possession of the secretary during the period such person is placed with the department or an entity with which it has entered into a performance-based contract pursuant to chapter 74.13 RCW. As such custodian, the secretary shall have authority to disburse moneys from the person's funds for the following purposes only and subject to the following limitations: (a) For such personal needs of such person as the secretary may deem proper and necessary. (b) Against the amount of public assistance otherwise payable to such person. This includes applying, as reimbursement, any benefits, payments, funds, or accrual paid to or on behalf of said person from any source against the amount of public assistance expended on behalf of said person during the period for which the benefits, payments, funds or accruals were paid. (2) All funds held by the secretary as custodian may be deposited in a single fund, the receipts and expenditures therefrom to be accurately accounted for by him or her on an individual basis. Whenever, the funds belonging to any one person exceed the sum of five hundred dollars, the secretary may deposit said funds in a savings and loan association account on behalf of that particular person. (3) When the conditions of placement no longer exist and public assistance is no longer being provided for such person, upon a showing of legal competency and proper authority, the secretary shall deliver to such person, or the parent, person, or agency legally responsible for such person, all funds belonging to the person remaining in his or her possession as custodian, together with a full and final accounting of all receipts and expenditures made therefrom. (4) The appointment of a guardian for the estate of such person shall terminate the secretary's authority as custodian of said funds upon receipt by the secretary of a certified copy of letters of guardianship. Upon the guardian's request, the secretary shall immediately forward to such guardian any funds of such person remaining in the secretary's possession together with full and final accounting of all receipts and expenditures made therefrom.
RCW 74.46.800 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 46 / Section 800
RCW 74.46.800: Rule-making authority.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall have authority to adopt, amend, and rescind such administrative rules and definitions as it deems necessary to carry out the policies and purposes of this chapter and to resolve issues and develop procedures to implement, update, and improve the nursing facility medicaid payment system. (2) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to require the department to adopt or employ any calculations, steps, tests, methodologies, alternate methodologies, indexes, formulas, mathematical or statistical models, concepts, or procedures for medicaid rate setting or payment that are not expressly called for in this chapter.
RCW 74.38.061 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 38 / Section 061
RCW 74.38.061: Expansion of federal programs authorized.
Status: in_force

The department may expand the foster grandparent, senior companion, and retired senior volunteer programs funded under the Federal Volunteer Agency (ACTION) (P.L. 93-113 Title II), or its successor agency, which provide senior citizens with volunteer stipends, out-of-pocket expenses, or wages to perform services in the community.
RCW 74.20.040 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 040
RCW 74.20.040: Duty of department to enforce child support—Requests for support enforcement services—Schedule of fees—Waiver—Rules.
Status: in_force

(1) Whenever the department receives an application for public assistance on behalf of a child, the department shall take appropriate action under the provisions of this chapter, chapter 74.20A RCW, or other appropriate statutes of this state to establish or enforce support obligations against the parent or other persons owing a duty to pay support moneys. (2) The secretary may accept a request for support enforcement services on behalf of persons who are not recipients of public assistance and may take appropriate action to establish or enforce support obligations against the parent or other persons owing a duty to pay moneys. The secretary may condition requests accepted under this subsection upon the payment of a fee as required by subsection (6) of this section or through regulation issued by the secretary. The secretary may establish[,] by regulation, reasonable standards and qualifications for support enforcement services provided to persons who are not currently receiving public assistance. (3) The secretary may accept requests for support enforcement services from child support enforcement agencies in other states operating child support programs under Title IV-D of the social security act or from foreign countries, and may take appropriate action to establish and enforce support obligations, or to enforce subpoenas, information requests, orders for genetic testing, and collection actions issued by the other agency against the parent or other person owing a duty to pay support moneys, the parent or other person's employer, or any other person or entity properly subject to child support collection or information-gathering processes. The request shall contain and be accompanied by such information and documentation as the secretary may by rule require, and be signed by an authorized representative of the agency. The secretary may adopt rules setting forth the duration and nature of services provided under this subsection. (4) The department may take action to establish, enforce, and collect a support obligation, including performing related services, under this chapter and chapter 74.20A RCW, or through the attorney general or prosecuting attorney for action under chapter 26.09 , 26.18, 26.20, 26.21A, 26.26A, or 26.26B RCW or other appropriate statutes or the common law of this state. (5) Whenever a support order is filed with the Washington state support registry under chapter 26.23 RCW, the department may take appropriate action under the provisions of this chapter, chapter 26.23 or 74.20A RCW, or other appropriate law of this state to establish or enforce the support obligations contained in that order against the responsible parent or other persons owing a duty to pay support moneys. (6)(a) Effective October 1, 2019, the secretary shall impose an annual fee of thirty-five dollars for each case in which support enforcement services are furnished where: (i) The person entitled to receive support has never received assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families program, the aid for dependent families and children program, or a tribal temporary assistance for needy families program; and (ii) The state has collected at least five hundred fifty dollars of support. (b) The annual fee shall be retained by the state from support collected on behalf of the person entitled to receive support, but not from the first five hundred fifty dollars of support. (c) The secretary may, on showing of necessity, waive or defer any such fee or cost. (7) Fees, due and owing, may be retained from support payments directly or collected as delinquent support moneys utilizing any of the remedies in this chapter, chapter 74.20A or 26.21A RCW, or any other remedy at law or equity available to the department or any agencies with whom it has a cooperative or contractual arrangement to establish, enforce, or collect support moneys or support obligations. (8) The secretary may waive the fee, or any portion thereof, as a part of a compromise of disputed claims or may grant partial or total charge off of said fee if the secretary finds there are no available, practical, or lawful means by which said fee may be collected or to facilitate payment of the amount of delinquent support moneys or fees owed. (9) The secretary shall adopt rules conforming to federal laws, including but not limited to complying with section 7310 of the federal deficit reduction act of 2005, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 654, and rules and regulations required to be observed in maintaining the state child support enforcement program required under Title IV-D of the federal social security act. The adoption of these rules shall be calculated to promote the cost-effective use of the agency's resources and not otherwise cause the agency to divert its resources from its essential functions.
RCW 74.76.900 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 76 / Section 900
RCW 74.76.900: Construction—2025 c 359.
Status: in_force

Nothing in chapter 359, Laws of 2025 shall be construed to alter the requirements: (1) Under 42 C.F.R. Sec. 438.4 that the rates paid by the state to managed care organizations be actuarially sound; and (2) that the state develop the rates in compliance with standards under 42 C.F.R. Sec. 438.5.
RCW 74.09A.020 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09A / Section 020
RCW 74.09A.020: Eligibility and coverage information—Provision to health insurers.
Status: in_force

(1) Health insurers shall share all beneficiary eligibility and coverage information with the authority for the purpose of identifying joint beneficiaries. The authority shall use this information to identify joint beneficiaries. The authority shall use this information to improve accuracy and currency of health insurance coverage and to promote improved coordination of benefits. (2) To the maximum extent possible, necessary data elements and a compatible database shall be developed by affected health insurers and the authority. The authority shall establish a representative group of health insurers and state agency representatives to develop necessary technical and file specifications to promote a standardized database. The database shall include elements essential to the authority and its population's health insurance coverage information. (3) If the state and health insurers enter into other agreements regarding the use of common computer standards, the database identified in this section shall be replaced by the new common computer standards. (4) The information provided will be of sufficient detail to promote reliable and accurate benefit coordination and identification of individuals who are also eligible for authority programs. (5) The frequency of updates will be mutually agreed to by each health insurer and the authority based on frequency of change and operational limitations. (6) The health insurers and the authority shall safeguard and properly use the information to protect records as provided by law, including but not limited to chapters 42.48 , 74.09, 74.04, 70.02, and 42.56 RCW, and 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396a and 42 C.F.R. Sec. 43 et seq. The purpose of this exchange of information is to improve coordination and administration of benefits and ensure that medical insurance benefits are properly utilized. (7) The authority shall target implementation of this section to those health insurers with the highest probability of joint beneficiaries.
RCW 74.12.330 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 12 / Section 330
RCW 74.12.330: Assistance not to be denied for want of relative or court order.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding the provisions of this chapter a child otherwise eligible for aid shall not be denied such assistance where a relative as specified in the social security act is unavailable or refuses to accept custody and the juvenile court fails to enter an order removing the child from the custody of the parent, relative or guardian then having custody.
RCW 74.39A.030 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 030
RCW 74.39A.030: Expansion of home and community services—Payment rates.
Status: in_force

(1) To the extent of available funding, the department shall expand cost-effective options for home and community services for consumers for whom the state participates in the cost of their care. (2) In expanding home and community services, the department shall take full advantage of federal funding available under Title XVIII and Title XIX of the federal social security act, including home health, adult day care, waiver options, and state plan services and expand the availability of in-home services and residential services, including services in adult family homes, assisted living facilities, and enhanced services facilities. (3)(a) The department shall by rule establish payment rates for home and community services that support the provision of cost-effective care. Beginning July 1, 2019, the department shall adopt a data-driven medicaid payment methodology as specified in RCW 74.39A.032 for contracted assisted living, adult residential care, and enhanced adult residential care. In the event of any conflict between any such rule and a collective bargaining agreement entered into under RCW 74.39A.270 and 74.39A.300 , the collective bargaining agreement prevails. (b) The department may authorize an enhanced adult residential care rate for nursing homes that temporarily or permanently convert their bed use under chapter 70.38 RCW for the purposes of providing assisted living, enhanced adult residential care, or adult residential care, when the department determines that payment of an enhanced rate is cost-effective and necessary to foster expansion of these contracted services. As an incentive for nursing homes to permanently convert a portion of their nursing home bed capacity for the purposes of providing assisted living, enhanced adult residential care, or adult residential care, including but not limited to serving individuals with behavioral health treatment needs, the department may authorize a supplemental add-on to the residential care rate.
RCW 74.36.120 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 36 / Section 120
RCW 74.36.120: Community programs and projects for the aging—Standards for eligibility and approval—Informal hearing on denial of approval.
Status: in_force

(1) The secretary or his or her designee shall adopt and set forth standards for determining the eligibility and approval of community projects and priorities therefor, and shall have final authority to approve or deny such projects and funding requested under RCW 74.36.110 through 74.36.130 . (2) Only community project proposals submitted by local public agencies, by private nonprofit agencies or organizations, or by public or other nonprofit institutions of higher education, shall be eligible for approval. (3) Any community project applicant whose application for approval is denied will be afforded an opportunity for an informal hearing before the secretary or his or her designee, but the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, shall not apply.
RCW 74.15.127 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 127
RCW 74.15.127: Expedited foster licensing process.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall design and implement an expedited foster licensing process. (2) The expedited foster licensing process described in this section shall be available to individuals who: (a) Were licensed within the last five years; (b) Were not the subject of an adverse licensing action or a voluntary relinquishment; (c) Seek licensure for the same residence for which he or she was previously licensed provided that any changes to family constellation since the previous license is limited to individuals leaving the family constellation; and (d) Apply to the same agency for which he or she was previously licensed, with the understanding that the agency must be agreeable to supervise the home. (3) The department shall make every effort to ensure that individuals qualifying for and seeking an expedited license are able to become licensed within forty days of the department receiving his or her application. (4) The department shall only issue a foster license pursuant to this section after receiving a completed fingerprint-based background check, and may delay issuance of an expedited license solely based on awaiting the results of a background check. (5) The department may issue a provisional expedited license pursuant to this section before completing a home study, but shall complete the home study as soon as possible after issuing a provisional expedited license. (6) The department and its officers, agents, employees, and volunteers are not liable for injuries caused by the expedited foster licensing process.
RCW 74.09.892 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 892
RCW 74.09.892: Medicaid program integrity—Managed care organizations—Contracts—Best practices.
Status: in_force

(1) Beginning January 1, 2024, the authority's contracts with managed care organizations must clearly detail each party's requirements for maintaining program integrity and the consequences the managed care organizations face if they do not meet the requirements. The contract must ensure the penalties are adequate to ensure compliance. (2) The authority shall follow leading program integrity practices as recommended by the centers for medicare and medicaid services, including but not limited to: (a) Monthly reporting and quarterly meetings with managed care organizations to discuss program integrity issues and findings as well as trends in fraud and other improper payments; (b) Financial penalties for failure to fulfill program integrity requirements, including liquidated damages and sanctions; (c) Directly auditing providers and: (i) Recovering overpayments from the providers; or (ii) Assessing liquidated damages against the managed care organizations; (d) Ensuring recoveries and liquidated damages resulting from overpayments are properly accounted for and applied to managed care encounters to ensure accurate future rate setting; and (e) Ensuring all contracts with managed care organizations are updated as appropriate to reflect program integrity requirements.
RCW 74.04.360 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 360
RCW 74.04.360: Federal surplus commodities—Certification deemed administrative expense of department.
Status: in_force

Expenditures made by the state department of social and health services for the purpose of certifying eligibility of needy families and individuals for federal surplus commodities shall be deemed to be expenditures for the administration of public assistance and care.
RCW 74.09A.030 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09A / Section 030
RCW 74.09A.030: Duties of health insurers—Providing information—Payments—Claims—Costs and fees.
Status: in_force

Health insurers, as a condition of doing business in Washington, must: (1) Provide, with respect to individuals who are eligible for, or are provided, medical assistance under chapter 74.09 RCW, upon the request of the authority, information to determine during what period the individual or their spouses or their dependents may be, or may have been, covered by a health insurer and the nature of coverage that is or was provided by the health insurer, including the name, address, and identifying number of the plan, in a manner prescribed by the authority; (2) Accept the authority's right to recovery and the assignment to the authority of any right of an individual or other entity to payment from the party for an item or service for which payment has been made under chapter 74.09 RCW; (3) Respond to any inquiry by the authority regarding a claim for payment for any health care item or service that is submitted not later than three years after the date of the provision of such health care item or service; (4) Agree not to deny a claim submitted by the authority solely on the basis of the date of submission of the claim, the type or format of the claim form, or a failure to present proper documentation at the point-of-sale that is the basis of the claim, if: (a) The claim is submitted by the authority within the three-year period beginning on the date the item or service was furnished; and (b) Any action by the authority to enforce its rights with respect to such claim is commenced within six years of the authority's submission of such claim; and (5) Agree that the prevailing party in any legal action to enforce this section receives reasonable attorneys' fees as well as related collection fees and costs incurred in the enforcement of this section.
RCW 74.04.620 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 620
RCW 74.04.620: State supplement to national program of supplemental security income—Authorized—Reimbursement of interim assistance, attorneys' fees.
Status: in_force

(1) The department is authorized to establish a program of state supplementation to the national program of supplemental security income consistent with Public Law 92-603 and Public Law 93-66 to those persons who are in need thereof in accordance with eligibility requirements established by the department. (2) The department is authorized to establish reasonable standards of assistance and resource and income exemptions specifically for such program of state supplementation which shall be consistent with the provisions of the Social Security Act. (3) The department is authorized to make payments to applicants for supplemental security income, pursuant to agreements as provided in Public Law 93-368, who are otherwise eligible for aged, blind, or disabled assistance. (4) Any agreement between the department and a supplemental security income applicant providing for the reimbursement of interim assistance to the department shall provide, if the applicant has been represented by an attorney, that twenty-five percent of the reimbursement received shall be withheld by the department and all or such portion thereof as has been approved as a fee by the United States department of health and human services shall be released directly to the applicant's attorney. The secretary may maintain such records as are deemed appropriate to measure the cost and effectiveness of such agreements and may make recommendations concerning the continued use of such agreements to the legislature.
RCW 74.66.110 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 66 / Section 110
RCW 74.66.110: Jurisdiction—Seal on action.
Status: in_force

(1) Any action under RCW 74.66.040 or 74.66.050 may be brought in the superior court in any county in which the defendant or, in the case of multiple defendants, any one defendant can be found, resides, transacts business, or in which any act proscribed by RCW 74.66.020 occurred. The appropriate court must issue a summons as required by the superior court civil rules and service must occur at any place within the state of Washington. (2) The superior courts have jurisdiction over any action brought under the laws of any city or county for the recovery of funds paid by a government entity if the action arises from the same transaction or occurrence as an action brought under RCW 74.66.040 or 74.66.050 . (3) With respect to any local government that is named as a coplaintiff with the state in an action brought under RCW 74.66.050 , a seal on the action ordered by the court under RCW 74.66.050 does not preclude the attorney general or the person bringing the action from serving the complaint, any other pleadings, or the written disclosure of substantially all material evidence and information possessed by the person bringing the action on the law enforcement authorities that are authorized under the law of the local government to investigate and prosecute the action on behalf of the local government, except that the seal applies to the law enforcement authorities so served to the same extent as the seal applies to other parties in the action.
RCW 74.09.185 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 185
RCW 74.09.185: Third party has legal liability to make payments—State acquires rights—Lien—Equitable subrogation does not apply.
Status: in_force

To the extent that payment for covered expenses has been made under medical assistance for health care items or services furnished to an individual, in any case where a third party has a legal liability to make payments, the state is considered to have acquired the rights of the individual to payment by any other party for those health care items or services. Recovery pursuant to the subrogation rights, assignment, or enforcement of the lien granted to the authority by this section shall not be reduced, prorated, or applied to only a portion of a judgment, award, or settlement, except as provided in RCW 41.05A.060 and 41.05A.070 . The doctrine of equitable subrogation shall not apply to defeat, reduce, or prorate recovery by the authority as to its assignment, lien, or subrogation rights.
RCW 74.04.060 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 060
RCW 74.04.060: Records, confidential—Exceptions—Penalty.
Status: in_force

(1)(a) For the protection of applicants and recipients, the department, the authority, and the county offices and their respective officers and employees are prohibited, except as hereinafter provided, from disclosing the contents of any records, files, papers and communications, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of the programs of this title. In any judicial proceeding, except such proceeding as is directly concerned with the administration of these programs, such records, files, papers and communications, and their contents, shall be deemed privileged communications and except for the right of any individual to inquire of the office whether a named individual is a recipient of welfare assistance and such person shall be entitled to an affirmative or negative answer. (b) Unless prohibited by federal law, for the purpose of investigating and preventing child abuse and neglect and providing for the health care coordination and well-being of children in foster care, the department and the authority shall disclose to the department of children, youth, and families the following information: Developmental disabilities administration client records; home and community services client records; long-term care facility or certified community residential supports records; health care information; child support information; food assistance information; and public assistance information. Disclosure under this subsection (1)(b) is mandatory for the purposes of the federal health insurance portability and accountability act. (c) Upon written request of a parent who has been awarded visitation rights in an action for divorce or separation or any parent with legal custody of the child, the department shall disclose to him or her the last known address and location of his or her natural or adopted children. The secretary shall adopt rules which establish procedures for disclosing the address of the children and providing, when appropriate, for prior notice to the custodian of the children. The notice shall state that a request for disclosure has been received and will be complied with by the department unless the department receives a copy of a court order which enjoins the disclosure of the information or restricts or limits the requesting party's right to contact or visit the other party or the child. Information supplied to a parent by the department shall be used only for purposes directly related to the enforcement of the visitation and custody provisions of the court order of separation or decree of divorce. No parent shall disclose such information to any other person except for the purpose of enforcing visitation provisions of the said order or decree. (d) Unless prohibited by federal law, the department is permitted to release individual-level data of state-funded public assistance programs listed under RCW 28B.92.200 to the student achievement council under chapter 28B.77 RCW for the purposes of RCW 28B.92.225 . (e) The department shall review methods to improve the protection and confidentiality of information for recipients of welfare assistance who have disclosed to the department that they are past or current victims of domestic violence or stalking. (2) The county offices shall maintain monthly at their offices a report showing the names and addresses of all recipients in the county receiving public assistance under this title, together with the amount paid to each during the preceding month. (3) The provisions of this section shall not apply to duly designated representatives of approved private welfare agencies, public officials, members of legislative interim committees and advisory committees when performing duties directly connected with the administration of this title, such as regulation and investigation directly connected therewith: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That any information so obtained by such persons or groups shall be treated with such degree of confidentiality as is required by the federal social security law. (4) It shall be unlawful, except as provided in this section, for any person, body, association, firm, corporation or other agency to solicit, publish, disclose, receive, make use of, or to authorize, knowingly permit, participate in or acquiesce in the use of any lists or names for commercial or political purposes of any nature. The violation of this section shall be a gross misdemeanor.
RCW 74.15.230 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 230
RCW 74.15.230: Responsible living skills programs—Established—Requirements.
Status: in_force

The secretary shall establish responsible living skills programs that provide no more than seventy-five beds across the state and may establish responsible living skills programs by contract, within funds appropriated by the legislature specifically for this purpose. Responsible living skills programs shall have the following: (1) A license issued by the secretary; (2) A professional with a master's degree in counseling, social work, or related field and at least one year of experience working with street youth available to serve residents or a bachelor of arts degree in social work or a related field and five years of experience working with street youth. The professional shall provide counseling services and interface with other relevant resources and systems to prepare the minor for adult living. Preference shall be given to those professionals cross-credentialed in mental health and chemical dependency; (3) Staff trained in development needs of older adolescents eligible to participate in responsible living skills programs as determined by the secretary; (4) Transitional living services and a therapeutic model of service delivery that provides necessary program supervision of residents and at the same time includes a philosophy, program structure, and treatment planning that emphasizes achievement of competency in independent living skills. Independent living skills include achieving basic educational requirements such as a high school equivalency certificate as provided in RCW 28B.50.536 , enrollment in vocational and technical training programs offered at the community and vocational colleges, obtaining and maintaining employment; accomplishing basic life skills such as money management, nutrition, preparing meals, and cleaning house. A baseline skill level in ability to function productively and independently shall be determined at entry. Performance shall be measured and must demonstrate improvement from involvement in the program. Each resident shall have a plan for achieving independent living skills by the time the resident leaves the placement. The plan shall be written within the first thirty days of placement and reviewed every ninety days. A resident who fails to consistently adhere to the elements of the plan shall be subject to reassessment by the professional staff of the program and may be placed outside the program; and (5) A data collection system that measures outcomes for the population served, and enables research and evaluation that can be used for future program development and service delivery. Data collection systems must have confidentiality rules and protocols developed by the secretary. (6) The department shall not award contracts for the operation of responsible living skills programs until HOPE center beds are operational.
RCW 74.14B.080 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 14B / Section 080
RCW 74.14B.080: Liability insurance for foster parents.
Status: in_force

(1) Subject to subsection (2) of this section, the secretary shall provide liability insurance to foster parents licensed under chapter 74.15 RCW. The coverage shall be for personal injury and property damage caused by foster parents or foster children that occurred while the children were in foster care. Such insurance shall cover acts of ordinary negligence but shall not cover illegal conduct or bad faith acts taken by foster parents in providing foster care. Moneys paid from liability insurance for any claim are limited to the amount by which the claim exceeds the amount available to the claimant from any valid and collectible liability insurance. (2) The secretary may purchase the insurance required in subsection (1) of this section or may choose a self-insurance method. The total moneys expended pursuant to this authorization shall not exceed five hundred thousand dollars per biennium. If the secretary elects a method of self-insurance, the expenditure shall include all administrative and staff costs. If the secretary elects a method of self-insurance, he or she may, by rule, place a limit on the maximum amount to be paid on each claim. (3) Nothing in this section or RCW 4.24.590 is intended to modify the foster parent reimbursement plan in place on July 1, 1991. (4) The liability insurance program shall be available by July 1, 1991.
RCW 74.29.055 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 29 / Section 055
RCW 74.29.055: Acceptance of federal aid—Construction of chapter when part thereof in conflict with federal requirements which are condition precedent to allocation of federal funds.
Status: in_force

If any part of this chapter shall be found to be in conflict with federal requirements which are a condition precedent to the allocation of federal funds to the state, such conflicting part of this chapter is hereby declared to be inoperative solely to the extent of such conflict, and such findings or determination shall not affect the operation of the remainder of this chapter.
RCW 74.20A.370 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20A / Section 370
RCW 74.20A.370: Financial institution data matches.
Status: in_force

(1) Each calendar quarter financial institutions doing business in the state of Washington shall report to the department the name, record address, social security number or other taxpayer identification number, and other information determined necessary by the department for each individual who maintains an account at such institution and is identified by the department as owing a support debt. (2) The department and financial institutions shall enter into agreements to develop and operate a data match system, using automated data exchanges to the extent feasible, to minimize the cost of providing information required under subsection (1) of this section. (3) The department may pay a reasonable fee to a financial institution for conducting the data match not to exceed the actual costs incurred. (4) A financial institution is not liable for any disclosure of information to the department under this section. (5) The division of child support shall maintain all information gathered under this section confidential and shall only disclose this information as provided under RCW 26.23.120 .
RCW 74.04.180 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 180
RCW 74.04.180: Joint county administration.
Status: in_force

Public assistance may be administered through a single administrator and a single administrative office for one or more counties. There may be a local office for the transaction of official business maintained in each county.
RCW 74.70.070 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 70 / Section 070
RCW 74.70.070: Rules.
Status: in_force

The authority may adopt rules to implement this chapter.
RCW 74.09.215 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 215
RCW 74.09.215: Medicaid fraud penalty account.
Status: in_force

The medicaid fraud penalty account is created in the state treasury. All receipts from civil penalties collected under RCW 74.09.210 , all receipts received under judgments or settlements that originated under a filing under the federal false claims act, all receipts from fines received pursuant to RCW 43.71C.090 , and all receipts received under judgments or settlements that originated under the state medicaid fraud false claims act, chapter 74.66 RCW, must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation and must be used only for medicaid services, fraud detection and prevention activities, recovery of improper payments, for other medicaid fraud enforcement activities, and the prescription monitoring program established in chapter 70.225 RCW.
RCW 74.34.070 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 34 / Section 070
RCW 74.34.070: Cooperative agreements for services.
Status: in_force

The department may develop cooperative agreements with community-based agencies providing services for vulnerable adults. The agreements shall cover: (1) The appropriate roles and responsibilities of the department and community-based agencies in identifying and responding to reports of alleged abuse; (2) the provision of case-management services; (3) standardized data collection procedures; and (4) related coordination activities.
RCW 74.13.244 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 244
RCW 74.13.244: Testing strips—High-potency synthetic opioid.
Status: in_force

The department shall make available to department staff high-potency synthetic opioid testing strips that can detect the presence of high-potency synthetic opioids that may be provided to families for personal use or used by department staff to maintain their safety.
RCW 74.04.230 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 04 / Section 230
RCW 74.04.230: Medical care services benefits—Mental health services.
Status: in_force

Persons eligible for medical care services benefits are eligible for mental health services to the extent that they meet the client definitions and priorities established by chapter 71.24 RCW.
RCW 74.13.062 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 062
RCW 74.13.062: Eligible guardians—Receipt and expenditure of federal funds—Implementation of subsidy program—Department to adopt rules—Relative guardianship subsidy agreements.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall adopt rules consistent with federal regulations for the receipt and expenditure of state and federal funds and implement a subsidy program for eligible guardians appointed by the court under RCW 13.36.050 , guardians of a minor appointed under RCW 11.130.215 , or guardians of an Indian child who receive guardianship subsidies as provided in RCW 74.13.031 . (2) For the purpose of licensing a relative seeking to be appointed as a guardian and eligible for a guardianship subsidy under this section, the department shall, on a case-by-case basis, and when determined to be in the best interests of the child: (a) Waive nonsafety licensing standards; and (b) Apply the list of disqualifying crimes in the adoption and safe families act, unless doing so would compromise the child's safety, or would adversely affect the state's ability to continue to obtain federal funding for child welfare related functions. (3) Guardianship subsidy agreements shall be designed to promote long-term permanency for the child, and may include provisions for periodic review of the subsidy amount and the needs of the child.
RCW 74.13A.115 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 115
RCW 74.13A.115: Interstate agreements for adoption of children with special needs—Additional provisions.
Status: in_force

A compact entered into pursuant to the authority conferred by *RCW 74.13.152 through 74.13.159 may contain provisions in addition to those required under **RCW 74.13.156 , as follows: (1) Provisions establishing procedures and entitlement to medical and other necessary social services for the child in accordance with applicable laws, even though the child and the adoptive parents are in a state other than the one responsible for or providing the services or the funds to defray part or all of the costs of the services; and (2) Such other provisions as are appropriate or incidental to the proper administration of the compact.
RCW 74.08A.903 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 08A / Section 903
RCW 74.08A.903: Conflict with federal requirements—1997 c 58.
Status: in_force

If any part of this act is found to be in conflict with federal requirements that are a prescribed condition to the allocation of federal funds to the state, the conflicting part of this act is inoperative solely to the extent of the conflict and with respect to the agencies directly affected, and this finding does not affect the operation of the remainder of this act in its application to the agencies concerned. The rules under this act shall meet federal requirements that are a necessary condition to the receipt of federal funds by the state. As used in this section, "allocation of federal funds to the state" means the allocation of federal funds that are appropriated by the legislature to the department of social and health services and on which the department depends for carrying out any provision of the operating budget applicable to it.
RCW 74.14C.030 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 14C / Section 030
RCW 74.14C.030: Department duties.
Status: in_force

(1) The department shall be the lead administrative agency for preservation services and may receive funding from any source for the implementation or expansion of such services. The department shall: (a) Provide coordination and planning with the advice of the community networks for the implementation and expansion of preservation services; and (b) Monitor and evaluate such services to determine whether the programs meet measurable standards specified by this chapter and the department. (2) The department may: (a) Allow its contractors for preservation services to use paraprofessional workers when the department and provider determine the use appropriate. The department may also use paraprofessional workers, as appropriate, when the department provides preservation services; and (b) allow follow-up to be provided, on an individual case basis, when the department and provider determine the use appropriate. (3) In carrying out the requirements of this section, the department shall consult with qualified agencies that have demonstrated expertise and experience in preservation services. (4) The department may provide preservation services directly and shall, within available funds, enter into outcome-based, competitive contracts with social service agencies to provide preservation services, provided that such agencies meet measurable standards specified by this chapter and by the department. The standards shall include, but not be limited to, satisfactory performance in the following areas: (a) The number of families appropriately connected to community resources; (b) Avoidance of new referrals accepted by the department for child protective services or family reconciliation services within one year of the most recent case closure by the department; (c) Consumer satisfaction; (d) For reunification cases, reduction in the length of stay in out-of-home placement; and (e) Reduction in the level of risk factors specified by the department. (5)(a) The department shall not provide intensive family preservation services unless it is demonstrated that provision of such services prevent out-of-home placement in at least seventy percent of the cases served for a period of at least six months following termination of services. The department's caseworkers may only provide preservation services if there is no other qualified entity willing or able to do so. (b) Contractors shall demonstrate that provision of intensive family preservation services prevent out-of-home placement in at least seventy percent of the cases served for a period of no less than six months following termination of services. The department may increase the period of time based on additional research and data. If the contractor fails to meet the seventy percent requirement the department may: (i) Review the conditions that may have contributed to the failure to meet the standard and renew the contract if the department determines: (A) The contractor is making progress to meet the standard; or (B) conditions unrelated to the provision of services, including case mix and severity of cases, contributed to the failure; or (ii) reopen the contract for other bids. (c) The department shall cooperate with any person who has a contract under this section in providing data necessary to determine the amount of reduction in foster care. For the purposes of this subsection "prevent out-of-home placement" means that a child who has been a recipient of intensive family preservation services has not been placed outside of the home, other than for a single, temporary period of time not exceeding fourteen days. (6) The department shall adopt rules to implement this chapter.
RCW 74.13.070 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13 / Section 070
RCW 74.13.070: Moneys in possession of secretary not subject to certain proceedings.
Status: in_force

None of the moneys or other funds which come into the possession of the secretary under chapter 169, Laws of 1971 ex. sess. shall be subject to execution, levy, attachment, garnishment or other legal process or other operation of any bankruptcy or insolvency law.
RCW 74.20.101 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 20 / Section 101
RCW 74.20.101: Payment of support moneys to state support registry—Notice—Effects of noncompliance.
Status: in_force

(1) A responsible parent shall make all support payments through the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry if: (a) The parent's support order contains a provision directing the parent to make support payments through the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry; or (b) If the parent has received written notice from the office of support enforcement under RCW 26.23.110 , 74.20A.040 , or 74.20A.055 that all future support payments must be made through the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry. (2) A responsible parent who has been ordered or notified to make support payments to the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry shall not receive credit for payments which are not paid to the office of support enforcement or the Washington state support registry unless: (a) The department determines that the granting of credit would not prejudice the rights of the residential parent or other person or agency entitled to receive the support payments and circumstances of an equitable nature exist; or (b) A court, after a hearing at which all interested parties were given an opportunity to be heard, on equitable principles, orders that credit be given. (3) The rights of the payee under an order for support shall not be prejudiced if the department grants credit under subsection (2)(a) of this section. If the department determines that credit should be granted pursuant to subsection (2) of this section, the department shall mail notice of its decision to the last known address of the payee, together with information about the procedure to contest the determination.
RCW 74.09.655 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 655
RCW 74.09.655: Smoking cessation assistance.
Status: in_force

The authority shall provide coverage under this chapter for smoking cessation counseling services, as well as prescription and nonprescription agents when used to promote smoking cessation, so long as such agents otherwise meet the definition of "covered outpatient drug" in 42 U.S.C. Sec. 1396r-8(k). However, the authority may initiate an individualized inquiry and determine and implement by rule appropriate coverage limitations as may be required to encourage the use of effective, evidence-based services and prescription and nonprescription agents.
RCW 74.09.665 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 09 / Section 665
RCW 74.09.665: Human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis drugs—Coverage—Reimbursement.
Status: in_force

(1) The authority and all medicaid contracted managed care organizations shall provide coverage without prior authorization for the drugs that comprise at least one regimen recommended by the centers for disease control and prevention for human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis. (2) Notwithstanding the coverage requirements of this section, the authority or a medicaid contracted managed care organization shall reimburse a hospital that bills for a 28-day supply of any human immunodeficiency virus postexposure prophylaxis drugs or therapies dispensed or delivered to a patient in the emergency department for take-home use, pursuant to RCW 70.41.495 , as a separate reimbursable expense. This reimbursable expense is separate from any bundled payment for emergency department services.
RCW 74.39.041 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39 / Section 041
RCW 74.39.041: Community residential options—Nursing facility eligible clients.
Status: in_force

(1) To the extent of available funds and subject to any conditions placed on appropriations for this purpose, the department may provide one or more home and community-based waiver programs in accordance with section 1915(c) of the federal social security act for Washington residents who have a gross income in excess of three hundred percent of the federal supplemental security income benefit level. The waiver services provided in accordance with this section may differ from, and shall operate with a separate limit or limits on total enrollment than, those provided for persons who are categorically needy as defined in Title XIX of the federal social security act. The department shall adopt rules to establish eligibility criteria, applicable income standards, and the specific waiver services to be provided. Total annual enrollment levels and the services to be provided shall be as specified in the waiver agreement or agreements with the federal government, subject to any conditions on appropriations for this purpose. (2) If a nursing facility resident becomes eligible for home and community-based waiver service alternatives to nursing facility care, but chooses to continue to reside in a nursing facility, the department must allow that choice. However, if the resident is a medicaid recipient, the resident must require a nursing facility level of care. (3) If a recipient of home and community-based waiver services may continue to receive home and community-based waiver services, despite an otherwise disqualifying level of income, but chooses to seek admission to a nursing facility, the department must allow that choice. However, if the resident is a medicaid recipient, the resident must require a nursing facility level of care. (4) The department will fully disclose to all individuals eligible for waiver services under this section the services available in different long-term care settings.
RCW 74.15.315 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 15 / Section 315
RCW 74.15.315: Host home program registration.
Status: in_force

(1) A host home program must register with the secretary of state's office. This registration may occur when the secretary of state files articles of incorporation of the host home program under chapter 24.03A RCW. (2) The host home program registration must include a notarized statement by the host home program that it meets all of the requirements set out in RCW 74.15.020 (2)(o). (3) The secretary of state has no duty to confirm that a host home program is meeting its statutory requirements. A filing under this section does not imply an endorsement by the secretary of state. (4) The secretary of state may adopt rules necessary to carry out its duties under this section.
RCW 74.13A.105 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 13A / Section 105
RCW 74.13A.105: Interstate agreements for adoption of children with special needs—Authorization.
Status: in_force

The department is authorized to develop, participate in the development of, negotiate, and enter into one or more interstate compacts on behalf of this state with other states to implement one or more of the purposes set forth in *RCW 74.13.152 through 74.13.159 . When entered into, and for so long as it remains in force, such a compact has the force and effect of law.
RCW 74.39A.520 — Washington Code / Title 74 / Chapter 39A / Section 520
RCW 74.39A.520: Individual providers employed by a consumer directed employer—Consumer's right to select, schedule, supervise, or dismiss individual providers.
Status: in_force

The following provisions apply only if individual providers are employed by a consumer directed employer: (1) Consumers and prospective consumers have the right to select, schedule, supervise the work of, and dismiss any individual provider providing services to them consistent with the consumer's plan of care. (2) Nothing in this section modifies: (a) The consumer directed employer's authority to: (i) Refuse to employ an individual provider who may not be able to meet the needs of a particular consumer; (ii) Assign an individual provider who has been dismissed by a consumer to a different consumer who has selected the individual provider; (iii) Provide information to a consumer about an individual provider's work history as an employee of the consumer directed employer; or (iv) Terminate the provider's employment when the individual is not meeting the needs of the consumer. (b) The consumer's right to: (i) Assign hours to one or more individual providers consistent with this chapter, the rules adopted under this chapter, and his or her plan of care; or (ii) Dismiss an individual provider.