Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is planning to amend, repeal, or adopt rules in chapter 388-310 WAC, WorkFirst and chapter 388-484 WAC, TANF/SFA File year time limits.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.08.090, and 74.08A.340.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is amending/repealing these rules to ensure TANF/SFA recipients receive comprehensive employability evaluations, establish criteria for termination of TANF/SFA cash aid for refusal to engage in activities required by the department, and modify the approval criteria for TANF/SFA time limit extensions. As part of this process, the department may find it necessary to adopt additional rules in these chapters or other chapters as necessary in order to comply with WorkFirst reexamination workgroup recommendations as approved by the governor.

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

     Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone 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 Sandy Jsames, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4648, fax (360) 493-3493, e-mail jsamesm@dshs.wa.gov.

October 31, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit