Subject of Possible Rule Making: The Division of Child Support (DCS) is proposing to create new sections and/or amendments in chapter 388-14A WAC to clarify DCS rules regarding the proration of child support obligations.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 34.05.330, 26.21.016, 26.23.030, 74.08.090, and 74.20.040.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: DCS received a rule-making petition under RCW 34.05.330 from a member of the public requesting that DCS put its policy regarding proration of child support obligations into rule. That rule-making petition was combined with an existing rule-making project which has since been put on hold and the underlying CR-101 filed as WSR 02-03-010 was withdrawn. This notice replaces WSR 02-03-010.

     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 Division of Child Support (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 www.wa.gov/dshs/dcs, or on the DSHS Economic Services Administration's policy review web site, which can be found at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/esa/extpolicy/. 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, Division of Child Support, P.O. Box 9162, Mailstop 45860, Olympia, WA 98507-9162, phone (360) 664-5065, e-mail nkoptur@dshs.wa.gov, toll-free 1-800-457-6202, fax (360) 664-5055, TTY/TDD (360) 664-5011.

October 26, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit