The proposed new rule defines a person with special needs including eligibility criteria for access to the special needs shelter. The rule identifies the service environment and the type of service the person with special needs should expect. The rule provides scalable guidelines for special need shelter staffing. The rule defines special needs shelter and equipment and the responsibility of the person with special needs or his or her home medical equipment provider to ensure that his or her own life-sustaining or life-supporting equipment is brought to the special needs shelter. The rule specifies the registration information that should be gathered on all persons with special needs, which will be used for pre-event planning. The rule also specifies that the local emergency management and county health department share this information to determine appropriate placement for sheltering. Information from the unregistered person with special needs is gathered upon his or her arrival at the shelter. The rule makes allowances for families to shelter together. The rule requires the county health department to invite local health and medical stakeholders to participate in special needs shelter planning. The rule establishes how the health care practitioner and facilities may apply for reimbursement.