1. (1) The licensing division (LD) is responsible for licensing and monitoring the care provided to children and youth placed in GCFs and verifying they meet the minimum licensing requirements in this chapter.

2. (2) The legal basis for GCFs, which authorizes the department to license and to provide group care placement services, are:

   1. (a) Chapter 13.32A RCW;
   2. (b) Chapter 13.34 RCW;
   3. (c) Chapter 74.13 RCW; and
   4. (d) Chapter 74.15 RCW.

3. (3) This chapter contains licensing requirements for GCFs, including:

   1. (a) Group homes;
   2. (b) Crisis residential centers (CRCs);
   3. (c) Emergency respite centers (ERCs);
   4. (d) Group receiving centers (GRCs);
   5. (e) Overnight youth shelters (OYSs);
   6. (f) Staffed residential homes (SRHs); and
   7. (g) Resource and assessment centers (RACs).

4. (4) These licensing requirements are to keep children and youth in GCFs safe, healthy, and protected from all forms of child abuse and neglect, as outlined in:

   1. (a) RCW 26.44.020; and
   2. (b) Chapter 110-30 WAC.

5. (5) Licensed GCFs may provide specialized services to children and youth including, but not limited to, maternity services, HOPE centers, responsible living skills programs, and services to those who are medically fragile or have developmental disabilities. Licensees providing specialized services:

   1. (a) Must hold a group care license to provide the specialized services outlined in this chapter; and
   2. (b) May provide these services through their own program or by using community resources.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.15.030. WSR 25-23-103, s 110-145-2300, filed 11/18/25, effective 5/1/26.]