NOTICE OF PROPOSED CHANGES ON OPIOID TREATMENT PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES

The Department of Health & Social Services proposes to adopt regulation changes in Title 7 of the Alaska Administrative Code, dealing with the opioid treatment program requirements, including the following:

(1)           7 AAC is proposed to be changed as follows: 

• In Chapter 70 make changes, including to, modify requirements for providers, add opioid use disorder treatment services, create an obligation for providers of these opioid treatment services to meet Department approval requirements, add a new section that lists the specific program requirements for these opioid use treatment services and adopt documents by reference related to substance abuse treatment.
• Add new conforming terminology to Chapter 135 and to Chapter 160.

(2)           7 AAC 33.005 – 33.165, is proposed to be repealed. 

• The intended effect of this repeal is to remove outdated service requirements and to comply with current Federal law.

You may comment on the proposed regulation changes, including the potential costs to private persons of complying with the proposed changes, by submitting written comments to Rick Calcote, Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health at 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503. Additionally, the Department of Health & Social Services will accept comments by facsimile at (907) 269-3623 and by electronic mail at hss.dbh.publiccomments@alaska.gov . The comments must be received not later than 5:00 p.m. on November 28, 2016.

Oral or written comments also may be submitted at a hearing to be held on Monday, November 14, 2016, at the Frontier Building, Conference Room Number 880, 3601 C St., Anchorage, AK 99503.  The hearing will be held from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. and might be extended to accommodate those present before 3 p.m. who did not have an opportunity to comment. If you are unable to attend in person, but would like to comment during the oral public hearing, you can call the teleconference number (800) 315-6338 (Toll Free) and use the code 36171# .

You may submit written questions relevant to the proposed action to Rick Calcote by e-mail at rick.calcote@alaska.gov or at 3601 C Street, Suite 880, Anchorage, AK 99503. The questions must be received at least 10 days before the end of the public comment period. The Department of Health & Social Services will aggregate its response to substantially similar questions and make the questions and response available on

http://dhss.alaska.gov/dbh/Pages/default.aspx  and the Alaska Online Public Notice System at https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/default.aspx  .

If you are a person with a disability who needs a special accommodation in order to participate in this process, including the hearing, please contact Rick Calcote at rick.calcote@alaska.gov or at (907) 269-3617, or by facsimile at (907) 269-3623, or via Alaska Relay at 711 or (800) 770-8973 (TTY) no later than November 10, 2016, to ensure that any necessary accommodations can be provided.

A copy of the proposed regulation changes is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System and by contacting Rick Calcote at rick.calcote@alaska.gov or at (907) 269-3617.

A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference is available on the Alaska Online Public Notice System https://aws.state.ak.us/OnlinePublicNotices/ . A copy of material proposed for adoption by reference may be viewed at the agency's office at the Department of Health & Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health, 3601 C Street, Suite 878, Anchorage, AK 99503.

After the public comment period ends, the Department of Health & Social Services, will either adopt the proposed regulation changes or other provisions dealing with the same subject, without further notice, or decide to take no action. The language of the final regulations may be different from that of the proposed regulations. You should comment during the time allowed if your interests could be affected.

Statutory Authority:  AS 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.055; AS 47.30.470; AS 47.30.475; AS 47.30.477; AS 47.30.530; AS 47.30.540; AS 47.30.570; AS 47.37.140.

Statutes Being Implemented, Interpreted, or Made Specific:  AS 18.05.040; AS 18.23.100; AS 47.05.010; AS 47.05.012; AS 47.07.030; AS 47.07.040; AS 47.07.055; AS 47.30.470; AS 47.30.475; AS 47.30.477; AS 47.30.530; AS 47.30.540; AS 47.30.570; AS 47.37.140.

Fiscal Information: The proposed regulation changes are not expected to require an increased appropriation.