WSR 18-12-098

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed June 5, 2018, 2:24 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend several existing sections and possibly to adopt new sections as may be required in chapter 388-14A WAC in order to implement Part I of SSB 6334, chapter 150, Laws of 2018. The effective date of Part I of the act is June 7, 2018.

SSB 6334 introduces new terminology, but does not change the way that medical support obligations are established, either in court or in the administrative process. However, there are changes in the policies and procedures regarding how the division of child support (DCS) enforces medical support obligations, most notably that an obligated parent can satisfy his or her health care coverage obligation by enrolling the child or children in public health care coverage. In Washington, "public health care coverage" means medicaid and the other programs included in the apple health program.

At the same time the department commences the permanent rule-making process, DCS is planning to adopt emergency rules effective June 7, 2018.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Part I of SSB 6334 (chapter 150, Laws of 2018), effective date June 7, 2018; RCW 26.09.105, 26.18.170, 26.23.050, 34.05.220 (1)(a), 34.05.350(1), 74.08.090, 74.20.040(9).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is implementing Part I of SSB 6334 (chapter 150, Laws of 2018) regarding medical support obligations.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: DCS engages in modified collaborative rule making. Those persons wishing to participate in developing the new rules are encouraged to contact Nancy Koptur at the DSHS DCS headquarters as soon as possible. DCS will post information regarding this rule development project and others on its web site, which can be found at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support or on the DSHS economic services administration's policy review web site, which can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/extpolicy/.

Rule-making forms and draft rules may also be found on the DSHS Filings and Rules page at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/sesa/rpau/filings-and-rulings.

DSHS/DCS encourages the public to take part in developing the rules. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and will send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and to anyone else who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Nancy Koptur, DCS Rules Coordinator, DCS Headquarters, P.O. Box 9162, Olympia, WA 98507-9162, phone 360-664-5065, fax 360-664-5342, TTY 1-800-833-6384, email nkoptur@dshs.wa.gov, web site www.childsupportonline.wa.gov.

June 4, 2018

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator