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Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies)

WashingtonregulationWashington State Department of Health (DOH)

What this rule requires your agency to do

  • 1The agency must provide a description of its process for clients and family to submit complaints without retaliation, and must inform clients of the department's complaint hotline number and the DSHS end harm hotline number. (WAC 246-335-435(17)-(19))(Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies))
  • 2The home care agency must ensure that the client rights under this section are implemented and updated as appropriate. (WAC 246-335-435(20))(Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies))
  • 3The agency must ensure clients are cared for by appropriately trained or credentialed personnel, contractors, and volunteers with coordination of services, and must inform the client of their right to ongoing participation in developing the plan of care. (WAC 246-335-435(2)-(3))(Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies))
  • 4The agency must inform the client what it charges for services, the extent of expected payment from insurance/public programs/other sources, and the charges the client is responsible for, and must provide a fully itemized billing statement upon request (except when services are provided through a managed care plan). (WAC 246-335-435(12)-(13))(Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies))
  • 5The agency must inform clients of their rights to refuse specific services, to be treated with courtesy, respect, and privacy, and to be free from verbal, mental, sexual, and physical abuse, neglect, exploitation, and discrimination. (WAC 246-335-435(6),(8),(9))(Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies))
  • 6The home care agency must, at the time of admission, provide each client (or designated family member or legal representative) with a written bill of rights affirming the enumerated client rights. (WAC 246-335-435 (introductory paragraph))(Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies))
  • 7The agency must inform clients of its policies and procedures for discharging a client and for providing back-up care when services cannot be provided as scheduled. (WAC 246-335-435(15)-(16))(Wash. Admin. Code (WAC) 246-335-435 - Bill of rights (Home care agencies))

Applies to: home care / personal care (in-home services)

Washington's home care agency licensing rules require every licensed home care agency to provide each client (or family/legal representative) a written bill of rights at admission, enumerating client rights to quality services, trained personnel, participation in the plan of care, freedom from abuse/neglect/exploitation, privacy, informed billing, back-up care, complaint processes, and access to state hotlines. The agency must ensure these rights are implemented and updated.

Regulatory information, not legal advice — always confirm against the cited official source. Verification reduces error; it does not certify compliance.