Subject of Possible Rule Making: New rules in chapter 388-14A WAC regarding the collection of interest on past-due child support obligations under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), and amendments and/or repeal of related existing rules as necessary.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 26.21.016.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Under UIFSA, Washington is required to enforce interest on unpaid support arrears at the request of another state. Washington does not enforce interest on Washington orders, but must enforce interest on non-Washington orders. These rules establish the procedures whereby the amount of interest can be established in an administrative proceeding.

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

     Process for Developing New Rule: The Division of Child Support (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 website, which can be found at www.wa.gov/dshs/dcs, or on the DSHS Economic Services Administration's policy review website, which can be found at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/esa/extpolicy/. DSHS/DCS encourages the public to take part in developing the rules. At a later date, DSHS will file proposed rules with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and will send the proposal 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, Division of Child Support, P.O. Box 9162, Mailstop 45860, phone (360) 664-5065, e-mail nkoptur@dshs.wa.gov, 1-800-457-6202, fax (360) 664-5055, TTY/TDD (360) 664-5011.

March 18, 2004

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit