WSR 03-01-115

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed December 18, 2002, 3:45 p.m. ]

     Date of Adoption: December 18, 2002.

     Purpose: To adopt rules in new chapter 388-271 WAC that define and describe limited English proficient services, which are available to applicants and recipients of Economic Services Administration programs within DSHS.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing WAC 388-200-1200.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.025 and 74.08.090.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 02-22-063 on November 1, 2002.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 1.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 3, Amended 0, Repealed 1.
     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

December 18, 2002

Bonnie Jacques

for Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

3182.1
Chapter 388-271 WAC

LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENT SERVICES


NEW SECTION
WAC 388-271-0010   What are limited English proficient (LEP) services?   (1) The department provides limited English proficient (LEP) services to you if you are limited in your ability to read, write and/or speak English. These services provide a way for us to communicate with you even though you are limited in your ability to communicate in English. LEP services are provided in your primary language by authorized bilingual workers or by contracted interpreters and translators. Your primary language is the language you have indicated on your application or your eligibility review as the language you wish to communicate in with the department.

     (2) LEP services include:

     (a) Interpreter (verbal) services in person and/or over the telephone; and

     (b) Translation of department forms, letters and other printed materials.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 388-271-0020   What are the department's responsibilities in providing me with an interpreter?   (1) If you have trouble speaking and/or understanding English, and a bilingual worker is not available to assist you, we get a qualified interpreter in your primary language to help you communicate verbally with us. A qualified interpreter is someone who is fluent in English and your primary language and is trained on the Interpreter Code of Professional Conduct.

     (2) Interpreter services are provided in-person or over the telephone.

     (3) We pay for the interpreter. You do not have to pay anything.

     (4) If a worker from our department feels that they are not able to communicate with you well enough to provide adequate services, they may request the services of an interpreter even if you did not ask for help.

     (5) We will provide interpreter services to you in a timely manner so that we can process your case within the processing timeframes defined in chapter 388-406, 388-418, and 388-434 WAC.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 388-271-0030   What are the department's responsibilities in providing me with written communication in my primary language?   (1) We provide fully translated written communication in your primary language. This includes, but is not limited to:

     (a) Department pamphlets, brochures and other informational material that describe department services and client rights and responsibilities;

     (b) Department forms, including applications and individual responsibility plans, that we ask you to complete and/or sign; and

     (c) Department letters as described in chapter 388-458 WAC.

     (2) We pay for the written translation. You do not have to pay anything.

     (3) We will provide translated documents to you in a timely manner so that we can process your case within the processing timeframes defined in chapter 388-406, 388-418, and 388-434 WAC.

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REPEALER

     The following section of the Washington Administrative Code is repealed:
WAC 388-200-1200 Translation of written communications with a limited English proficient client.

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