Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is amending WAC 388-426-0005 Client complaints.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes proposed to this rule will be to adopt updated civil rights guidance from the United States Department of Agriculture consistent with regulations for the food stamp program under Title 7 of the United States Code of Federal Regulations.

     Changes may also be made to incorporate requirements of the United States Department of Health and Human Services for the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) publishes federal regulations for the food stamp program in the Federal Register. Rules published in the Federal Register are incorporated into the United States Code of Federal Regulations. FNS also issues administrative notices to inform states of new program requirements that are not yet in the United States Code of Federal Regulations.

     The department of social and health services (DSHS) incorporates these regulations and exercises state options by adopting administrative rules for food assistance benefits in Washington state. DSHS adopts rules for the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program consistent with Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations, the Revised Code of Washington, and the department's TANF state plan.

     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 John Camp, Policy Analyst, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4616, fax (360) 493-3493, e-mail campjx@dshs.wa.gov.

January 6, 2006

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit