Washington Administrative Code Title 257 - Home Care Quality Authority
Here’s an overview of Washington Administrative Code Title 257 – Home Care Quality Authority:
📘 Title Structure & Chapters
Title 257 establishes the Home Care Quality Authority (HCQA) and includes four key chapters:
Chapter 257‑01 – Authority Organization
Outlines the HCQA’s structure and governance. (warules.elaws.us)
Chapter 257‑02 – Public Records
Details public records processes—response timelines, fees (15¢/page), exemptions, and protective procedures. (regulations.justia.com, lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Chapter 257‑05 – Safety Training Requirements
Describes mandatory safety training for individual providers, including:
Goal: outline safety training content and attestation (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Defines training scope: accident prevention, home safety, back-injury, fall prevention
No competency or challenge tests required; providers must attest and file within 120 days of starting care (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Training must be completed within 120 days of starting or by deadlines (e.g., pre‑2005 hires by Dec 31, 2006)
Chapter 257‑10 – Referral Registry
Governs the referral registry used by HCQA:
Purpose: ensure HCQA compliance with RCW 74.39A.250 (law.cornell.edu, lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Eligibility: providers must pass background checks (WSP, and FBI if under 3‑year residency), be 18+, etc. (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Rules for monthly contact and annual background checks
Grounds for removal: criminal history, misfeasance, non‑compliance, or consumer complaints; appeal rights included (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
🔍 Key Highlights
Public Records (Ch. 257‑02):
Must acknowledge within 5 business days; 15¢/page copy fee; no inspection fee. (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Safety Training (Ch. 257‑05):
Core content: general in-home safety, accident prevention, back care, slip/fall protection. (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Certificate/attestation needed, filed within 120 calendar days. (warules.elaws.us)
No testing required; no refresher mandated once initial training is done.
Referral Registry (Ch. 257‑10):
Prospective providers must clear criminal and fingerprint checks and renew annually. (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov, lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
Consumer/employer referrals facilitated through HCQA-managed list. (lawfilesext.leg.wa.gov)
✅ How to Access/Use
Need specifics from a particular chapter (e.g., training deadlines, registry removal reasons, or public‑records policies)? Let me know—happy to pinpoint or provide direct links to the exact WAC sections.
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