PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Health and Recovery Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department is amending WAC 388-527-2730 Definitions, 388-527-2737 Deferring recovery, 388-527-2750 Delay of recovery for undue hardship, 388-527-2754 Assets not subject to recovery and other limits on recovery, and 388-527-2820 Liens prior to death.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.057, and 74.08.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is adding language to these estate recovery rules to comply with legislation passed in 2008 for state registered domestic partners who receive medical services through DSHS. This change adds both rights and responsibilities for registered partners, recognizing the partnerships for DSHS medical programs, whether federally-matched or state-funded. There are no other changes to estate recovery in these revisions.
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 Wendy L. Boedigheimer, Rules Program Manager, Health and Recovery Services Administration, Office of Rules and Publications, P.O. Box 45504, Olympia, WA 98504-5504, phone (360) 725-1306, fax (360) 586-9727, TTY 1-800-848-5429, e-mail boediwl@dshs.wa.gov.
October 21, 2008
Stephanie E. Schiller
Rules Coordinator