Updates To Emergency/Disaster Preparedness Regulations Effective 2/2/2026

The Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) finalized regulations after a years-long process to implement ESHB 1218 that passed the legislature in 2021.  DSHS filed the CR103P, making the draft language permanent and in effect February 2, 2026. The dear provider letter on this topic is available for review here.

While these new regulations pertain to both assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, the regulations are slightly different in each setting and can be found here and in the next two paragraphs.

For assisted living, new WACs require specific types of possible emergencies including fires, earthquakes, floods, infectious disease outbreaks, loss of power or water, along with other facility-identified events that would warrant sheltering in place, evacuation or other emergency measures.

For skilled nursing facilities, there is a new requirement to carry out unannounced staff drills using the facility’s disaster and emergency preparedness procedures, and to prominently post evacuation route(s) throughout the facility, and at a minimum on every floor if applicable.

For both assisted living and skilled nursing facilities, a summary of the significant changes below will likely warrant a review and update to your emergency and disaster preparedness plan and ensure it includes:

• Procedures for staff roles and responsibilities, identifying and locating residents, summoning emergency assistance and working with first responders.
• Procedures for communicating emergency information to:
  • Staff and residents
  • Residents’ emergency contacts
  • External partners, including state and local agencies, the developmental disability ombuds, and the long-term care ombuds
• Procedures focusing on the following:
  • How resident care and treatment needs will be maintained
  • Provision for essential resident needs and supplies including water, food, medications, and personal care items
• Alternative resident accommodations
• Infection prevention and control capabilities, including:
  • Procurement, inventory, tracking, safe storage, and rotation of PPE to ensure shelf life and availability. Include gloves, gowns, surgical masks, eye protection, and NIOSH-approved respirators
  • Descriptions of how the facility will ensure adequate staffing and implement isolation or cohorting procedures during an infectious disease emergency

All facility staff must be trained on the comprehensive emergency preparedness plan and staff procedures upon hire and the information reviewed annually thereafter.  And finally, the facility must communicate the location of the emergency preparedness plan to residents and staff, and ensure access as needed during emergencies.

WHCA has requested from Residential Care Services (RCS) some time allowances to implement these new regulations, given the fact that the Dear Provider Letter was published almost two weeks into the required month notice period.  Should such accommodations be granted, we will notify members.

For questions about the updated regulations, email Vicki McNealley (for assisted living) and Elena Madrid (for skilled nursing).