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LCAR approves modernization of AHS agency-designation rule to clarify responsibilities of designated agencies
Summary
The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules approved amendments to the Agency of Human Services' agency-designation rule (24P20) to modernize language, add new sections (authority, continuity of services plans, investigations and enforcement, culturally and linguistically appropriate services) and reflect current policy and technology use.
The Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules approved amendments to rule 24P20 on Jan. 30 to modernize the Agency of Human Services' requirements for designated agencies and specialized service agencies.
Ashley Johns, staff attorney for the Agency of Human Services, said the updates—some not revised since 2003—bring the rule into alignment with current policy and practice and add five new sections, including authority, continuity of services plans, investigations and enforcement, and culturally and linguistically appropriate services. "The amendments to this rule update a rule that has not been modified since 02/2003," Johns said, describing the changes as intended to modernize language and processes.
Johns told the committee the department worked with designated agencies, specialized service agencies, standing committees, advocacy organizations and the health-care advocate while drafting the rule and incorporated many public comments. Legislative Counsel suggested clerical and wording edits; Johns said the department accepted many of those edits (for example, rewording a phrase in section 2.1 and correcting typographical errors throughout) and agreed not to add a "catchment area" phrase to section 3.4 after confirming specialized service agencies can perform statewide services but are not required to do so.
A committee member moved to approve the rule with the changes presented from Legislative Counsel; committee members voiced assent and the chair recorded the ayes.
The approved amendments clarify responsibilities of specialized service agencies as assigned by AHS, add modern reporting and technology references, and make language and capitalization corrections suggested by Legislative Counsel. The department said it found no economic or environmental impact from the amendments and that the changes respond to stakeholder input gathered during more than a dozen meetings prior to the public hearing.
