Subject of Possible Rule Making: The division of employment and assistance programs will amend WAC 388-454-0015 Temporary absence from the home, 388-418-0007 When do I have to report changes in my circumstances?, and other related WACs.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, and 74.08.090.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: This rule change is needed to extend the definition of "temporary absence" from ninety to one hundred eighty days for the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) and state family assistance (SFA) programs. The department is also proposing to provide concurrent TANF/SFA payments for up to one hundred eighty days to the parent and a relative or other adult serving in loco parentis when a TANF/SFA child has been temporarily placed by the children's administration in the care of a relative or an in loco parentis adult.

     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 Jenny Grayum, Program Manager, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4583, fax (360) 413-3293, e-mail grayuje@dshs.wa.gov.

March 5, 2008

Stephanie E. Schiller

Rules Coordinator

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