Effective Date of Rule: May 26, 2010.

     Purpose: The division of child support (DCS) is filing this third emergency rule to maintain the status quo as we await the rule-making hearing for the adoption of final rules. THESE RULES ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE PRIOR EMERGENCY RULES. This third set of emergency rules takes effect on May 28, 2010, and is identical in every respect to the prior emergency rules filed as WSR 09-20-030 and 10-04-037.

     BASIS FOR ADOPTION OF EMERGENCY RULES: In the 2009 legislative session, the Washington state legislature adopted ESHB 1794 (chapter 84, Laws of 2009), which makes changes to chapter 26.19 RCW, the Washington state child support schedule, based on recommendations of the 2007 child support schedule workgroup which was convened under 2SHB 1009 (chapter 313, Laws of 2007) and SHB 1845 (chapter 476, Laws of 2009), regarding medical support obligations in child support orders. Both of these bills had an effective date of October 1, 2009.

     DCS filed emergency rules under WSR 09-20-030 in order to implement this legislation by October 1, 2009. DCS filed the second emergency rules, identical to the first, under WSR 10-04-037 with an effective date of January 28, 2010. The second emergency rules expire May 27, 2010, and a third emergency filing is now necessary.

     DCS began the regular rule-making process by filing a CR-101, Preproposal notice of inquiry, for each of the bills: The CR-101 for ESHB 1794 was filed as WSR 09-10-046, and the CR-101 for SHB 1845 was filed as WSR 09-14-075. Because both of the bills impact the establishment of child support obligations, DCS determined that it was necessary to adopt just one set of rules which covers both bills instead of two separate rule-making projects.

     DCS has done a significant amount of redrafting and revising the rules from the form in which they were first proposed. After consulting with DCS staff, stakeholders and other partners, DCS intends to file the CR-102, Notice of proposed rule making, in June 2010.

     Between the filing of the CR-102 and the public rule-making hearing, DCS will again work with DCS staff, stakeholders and other partners to incorporate more comments and feedback. While the third emergency rules are exactly the same as the first emergency rules, DCS anticipates that because of the complexity of these two bills the rules proposed in the CR-102 will differ from the emergency rules in several respects, as will the final rules. DCS hopes to have final rules adopted as soon as possible.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-14A-1020 What definitions apply to the rules regarding child support enforcement?, 388-14A-2035 Do I assign my rights to support when I receive public assistance?, 388-14A-2036 What does assigning my rights to support mean?, 388-14A-3140 What can happen at a hearing on a support establishment notice?, 388-14A-3205 How does DCS calculate my income?, 388-14A-3310 The division of child support serves a notice of support owed to establish a fixed dollar amount under an existing child support order, 388-14A-3312 The division of child support serves a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support to establish a fixed dollar amount owed under a child support order, 388-14A-3315 When DCS serves a notice of support debt ((or)), notice of support owed ((or)), notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support, we notify the other party to the child support order, 388-14A-3317 What is an annual review of a support order under RCW 26.23.110?, 388-14A-3318 What is an annual review of a notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3312?, 388-14A-3320 What happens at a hearing on a notice of support owed?, 388-14A-3400 Are there limitations on how much of my income is available for child support?, 388-14A-4100 How does the division of child support enforce my obligation to provide health insurance for my children?, 388-14A-4110 If my support order requires me to provide ((health insurance)) medical support for my children, what do I have to do?, 388-14A-4112 When does the division of child support enforce a custodial parent's obligation to provide ((health insurance coverage)) medical support?, 388-14A-4115 Can my support order reduce my support obligation if I pay for health insurance?, 388-14A-4120 DCS uses the national medical support notice to enforce an obligation to provide health insurance coverage, 388-14A-4165 What happens when a noncustodial parent does not earn enough to pay child support plus the health insurance premium?, 388-14A-4175 ((Is an employer)) Who is required to notify the division of child support when insurance coverage for the children ends?, 388-14A-4180 When must the division of child support communicate with the DSHS health and recovery services administration?, 388-14A-5002 How does DCS distribute support collections in a nonassistance case?, 388-14A-5003 How does DCS distribute support collections in an assistance case?, 388-14A-5004 How does DCS distribute support collections in a former assistance case?, 388-14A-5005 How does DCS distribute federal tax refund offset collections?, 388-14A-5006 How does DCS distribute support collections when the paying parent has more than one case?, 388-14A-5007 If the paying parent has more than one case, can DCS apply support money to only one specific case?, 388-14A-6300 Duty of the administrative law judge in a hearing to determine the amount of a support obligation, and 388-14A-8130 How does DCS complete the WSCSS worksheets when setting a joint child support obligation when the parents of a child in foster care are married and residing together?; and new section WAC 388-14A-4111 When may DCS decline a request to enforce a medical support obligation?

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 26.09.105(17), 26.18.170(19), 26.23.050(8), 26.23.110(14), 34.05.020, 34.05.060, 34.05.220, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.055 (9) and (11).

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.

     Reasons for this Finding: ESHB 1794 (chapter 84, Laws of 2009) and SHB 1845 (chapter 476, Laws of 2009) both had an effective date of October 1, 2009. Although DCS has begun the regular rule-making process to adopt rules under this bill, we were unable to complete the adoption process by the effective date. DCS continues the regular rule-making process and will adopt final rules as soon as possible.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 1, Amended 28, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 28, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: May 11, 2010.

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     "Absence of a court order" means that there is no court order setting a support obligation for the noncustodial parent (NCP), or specifically relieving the NCP of a support obligation, for a particular child.

     "Absent parent" is a term used for a noncustodial parent.

     "Accessible coverage" means health insurance coverage which provides primary care services to the children with reasonable effort by the custodian.

     "Accrued debt" means past-due child support which has not been paid.

     "Administrative order" means a determination, finding, decree or order for support issued under RCW 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, or 74.20A.059 or by another state's agency under an administrative process, establishing the existence of a support obligation (including medical support) and ordering the payment of a set or determinable amount of money for current support and/or a support debt. Administrative orders include:

     (1) An order entered under chapter 34.05 RCW;

     (2) An agreed settlement or consent order entered under WAC 388-14A-3600; and

     (3) A support establishment notice which has become final by operation of law.

     "Agency" means the Title IV-D provider of a state. In Washington, this is DCS.

     "Agreed settlement" is an administrative order that reflects the agreement of the noncustodial parent, the custodial parent and the division of child support. An agreed settlement does not require the approval of an administrative law judge.

     "Aid" or "public assistance" means cash assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program, the aid to families with dependent children (AFDC) program, federally funded or state-funded foster care, and includes day care benefits and medical benefits provided to families as an alternative or supplement to TANF.

     "Alternate recipient" means a child of the employee or retiree named within a support order as being entitled to coverage under an employer's group health plan.

     "Annual fee" means the twenty-five dollar annual fee charged between October 1 and September 30 each year, required by the federal deficit reduction act of 2005 and RCW 74.20.040.

     "Applicant/custodian" means a person who applies for nonassistance support enforcement services on behalf of a child or children residing in their household.

     "Applicant/recipient," "applicant," and "recipient" means a person who receives public assistance on behalf of a child or children residing in their household.

     "Arrears" means the debt amount owed for a period of time before the current month.

     "Assistance" means cash assistance under the state program funded under Title IV-A of the federal Social Security Act.

     "Assistance unit" means a cash assistance unit as defined in WAC 388-408-0005. An assistance unit is the group of people who live together and whose income or resources the department counts to decide eligibility for benefits and the amount of benefits.

     "Birth costs" means medical expenses incurred by the custodial parent or the state for the birth of a child.

     "Cash medical support" is a term used in RCW 26.09.105 and certain federal regulations to refer to amounts paid by an obligated parent to the other parent or to the state in order to comply with the medical support obligation stated in a child support order.

     "Conditionally assigned arrears" means those temporarily assigned arrears remaining on a case after the period of public assistance ends.

     "Conference board" means a method used by the division of child support for resolving complaints regarding DCS cases and for granting exceptional or extraordinary relief from debt.

     "Consent order" means a support order that reflects the agreement of the noncustodial parent, the custodial parent and the division of child support. A consent order requires the approval of an administrative law judge.

     "Court order" means a judgment, decree or order of a Washington state superior court, another state's court of comparable jurisdiction, or a tribal court.

     "Current support" or "current and future support" means the amount of child support which is owed for each month.

     "Custodial parent or CP" means the person, whether a parent or not, with whom a dependent child resides the majority of the time period for which the division of child support seeks to establish or enforce a support obligation.

     "Date the state assumes responsibility for the support of a dependent child on whose behalf support is sought" means the date that the TANF or AFDC program grant is effective. For purposes of this chapter, the state remains responsible for the support of a dependent child until public assistance terminates, or support enforcement services end, whichever occurs later.

     "Delinquency" means failure to pay current child support when due.

     "Department" means the Washington state department of social and health services (DSHS).

     "Dependent child" means a person:

     (1) Seventeen years of age or younger who is not self-supporting, married, or a member of the United States armed forces;

     (2) Eighteen years of age or older for whom a court order requires support payments past age eighteen;

     (3) Eighteen years of age or older, but under nineteen years of age, for whom an administrative support order exists if the child is participating full-time in a secondary school program or the same level of vocational or technical training.

     "Disbursement" means the amount of child support distributed to a case that is paid to the family, state, other child support enforcement agency in another state or foreign country, Indian tribe, or person or entity making the payment.

     "Disposable earnings" means the amount of earnings remaining after the deduction of amounts required by law to be withheld.

     "Distribution" means how a collection is allocated or split within a case or among multiple cases.

     "Earnings" means compensation paid or payable for personal service. Earnings include:

     (1) Wages or salary;

     (2) Commissions and bonuses;

     (3) Periodic payments under pension plans, retirement programs, and insurance policies of any type;

     (4) Disability payments under Title 51 RCW;

     (5) Unemployment compensation under RCW 50.40.020, 50.40.050 and Title 74 RCW;

     (6) Gains from capital, labor, or a combination of the two; and

     (7) The fair value of nonmonetary compensation received in exchange for personal services.

     "Employee" means a person to whom an employer is paying, owes, or anticipates paying earnings in exchange for services performed for the employer.

     "Employer" means any person or organization having an employment relationship with any person. This includes:

     (1) Partnerships and associations;

     (2) Trusts and estates;

     (3) Joint stock companies and insurance companies;

     (4) Domestic and foreign corporations;

     (5) The receiver or trustee in bankruptcy; and

     (6) The trustee or legal representative of a deceased person.

     "Employment" means personal services of whatever nature, including service in interstate commerce, performed for earnings or under any contract for personal services. Such a contract may be written or oral, express or implied.

     "Family" means the person or persons on whose behalf support is sought, which may include a custodial parent and one or more children, or a child or children in foster care placement. The family is sometimes called the assistance unit.

     "Family arrears" means the amount of past-due support owed to the family, which has not been conditionally, temporarily or permanently assigned to a state. Also called "nonassistance arrears."

     "Family member" means the caretaker relative, the child(ren), and any other person whose needs are considered in determining eligibility for assistance.

     "Foreign order" means a court or administrative order entered by a tribunal other than one in the state of Washington.

     "Foster care case" means a case referred to the Title IV-D agency by the Title IV-E agency, which is the state division of child and family services (DCFS).

     "Fraud," for the purposes of vacating an agreed settlement or consent order, means:

     (1) The representation of the existence or the nonexistence of a fact;

     (2) The representation's materiality;

     (3) The representation's falsity;

     (4) The speaker's knowledge that the representation is false;

     (5) The speaker's intent that the representation should be acted on by the person to whom it is made;

     (6) Ignorance of the falsity on the part of the person to whom it is made;

     (7) The latter's:

     (a) Reliance on the truth of the representation;

     (b) Right to rely on it; and

     (c) Subsequent damage.

     "Full support enforcement services" means the entire range of services available in a Title IV-D case.

     "Good cause" for the purposes of late hearing requests and petitions to vacate orders on default means a substantial reason or legal justification for delay, including but not limited to the grounds listed in civil rule 60. The time periods used in civil rule 60 apply to good cause determinations in this chapter.

     "Head of household" means the parent or parents with whom the dependent child or children were residing at the time of placement in foster care.

     "Health care costs" means medical expenses. Certain statutes in chapter 26.19 RCW refer to medical expenses as health care costs.

     "Health insurance" means insurance coverage for all medical services related to an individual's general health and well being. These services include, but are not limited to: Medical/surgical (inpatient, outpatient, physician) care, medical equipment (crutches, wheel chairs, prosthesis, etc.), pharmacy products, optometric care, dental care, orthodontic care, preventive care, mental health care, and physical therapy.

     "Health insurance coverage" does not include medical assistance provided under chapter 74.09 RCW.

     "Hearing" means an adjudicative proceeding authorized by this chapter, or chapters 26.23, 74.20 and 74.20A RCW, conducted under chapter 388-02 WAC and chapter 34.05 RCW.

     "I/me" means the person asking the question which appears as the title of a rule.

     "Income" includes:

     (1) All gains in real or personal property;

     (2) Net proceeds from the sale or exchange of real or personal property;

     (3) Earnings;

     (4) Interest and dividends;

     (5) Proceeds of insurance policies;

     (6) Other periodic entitlement to money from any source; and

     (7) Any other property subject to withholding for support under the laws of this state.

     "Income withholding action" includes all withholding actions which DCS is authorized to take, and includes but is not limited to the following actions:

     (1) Asserting liens under RCW 74.20A.060;

     (2) Serving and enforcing liens under chapter 74.20A RCW;

     (3) Issuing orders to withhold and deliver under chapter 74.20A RCW;

     (4) Issuing notices of payroll deduction under chapter 26.23 RCW; and

     (5) Obtaining wage assignment orders under RCW 26.18.080.

     "Locate" can mean efforts to obtain service of a support establishment notice in the manner prescribed by WAC 388-14A-3105.

     "Medical assistance" means medical benefits under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act provided to families as an alternative or supplement to TANF.

     "Medical expenses" for the purpose of establishing support obligations under RCW 26.09.105, 74.20A.055 and 74.20A.056, or for the purpose of enforcement action under chapters 26.23, 74.20 and 74.20A RCW, including the notice of support debt and the notice of support owed, means((:

     •)) medical costs incurred on behalf of a child, which include:

     • Medical services related to an individual's general health and well-being, including but not limited to, medical/surgical care, preventive care, mental health care and physical therapy; and

     • Prescribed medical equipment and prescribed pharmacy products;

     • Health care coverage, such as coverage under a health insurance plan, including the cost of premiums for coverage of a child;

     • Dental and optometrical costs incurred on behalf of a child; and

     • Copayments and/or deductibles incurred on behalf of a child.

     Medical expenses are sometimes also called health care costs or medical costs.

     "Medical support" means ((either or both)) any combination of the following:

     (1) ((Medical expenses; and

     (2))) Health insurance coverage for a dependent child;

     (2) Amounts owed by one parent to the other parent as a monthly payment toward the premium paid by the other parent for health insurance coverage for a dependent child;

     (3) Amounts owed by a noncustodial parent to the state as a monthly payment toward the cost of managed care coverage for the child by the state, if the child receives state-financed medical coverage through the department under chapter 74.09 RCW for which there is an assignment; and

     (4) Amounts owed by one parent to the other parent as his or her proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses for a dependent child.

     "Monthly payment toward the premium" means a parent's contribution toward:

     • Premiums paid by the other parent for insurance coverage for the child; or

     • Amounts paid for managed care coverage for the child by the state, if the child receives state-financed medical coverage through the department under chapter 74.09 RCW for which there is an assignment.

     This contribution is based on the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid, but may not exceed twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation.

     "National Medical Support Notice" or "NMSN" is a federally mandated form that DCS uses to enforce a health insurance support obligation; the NMSN is a notice of enrollment as described in RCW 26.18.170.

     "Noncustodial parent or NCP" means the natural parent, adoptive parent, responsible stepparent or person who signed and filed an affidavit acknowledging paternity, from whom the state seeks support for a dependent child. A parent is considered to be an NCP when for the majority of the time during the period for which support is sought, the dependent child resided somewhere other than with that parent.

     "Obligated parent" means a parent who is required under a child support order to provide health insurance coverage or to reimburse the other parent for his or her share of medical expenses for a dependent child. The obligated parent could be either the NCP or the CP.

     "Other ordinary expense" means an expense incurred by a parent which:

     (1) Directly benefits the dependent child; and

     (2) Relates to the parent's residential time or visitation with the child.

     "Participant" means an employee or retiree who is eligible for coverage under an employer group health plan.

     "Pass-through" means the portion of a support collection distributed to assigned support that the state pays to a family currently receiving TANF.

     "Past support" means support arrears.

     "Paternity testing" means blood testing or genetic tests of blood, tissue or bodily fluids. This is also called genetic testing.

     "Payment services only" or "PSO" means a case on which the division of child support's activities are limited to recording and distributing child support payments, and maintaining case records. A PSO case is not a IV-D case.

     "Permanently assigned arrears" means those arrears which the state may collect and retain up to the amount of unreimbursed assistance.

     "Physical custodian" means custodial parent (CP).

     "Plan administrator" means the person or entity which performs those duties specified under 29 USC 1002 (16)(A) for a health plan. If no plan administrator is specifically so designated by the plan's organizational documents, the plan's sponsor is the administrator of the plan. Sometimes an employer acts as its own plan administrator.

     "Proportionate share" means an amount equal to a parent's percentage share of the combined monthly net income of both parents as computed on the worksheets when determining a parent's child support obligation under chapter 26.19 RCW.

     "Putative father" includes all men who may possibly be the father of the child or children on whose behalf the application for assistance or support enforcement services is made.

     "Reasonable efforts to locate" means any of the following actions performed by the division of child support:

     (1) Mailing a support establishment notice to the noncustodial parent in the manner described in WAC 388-14A-3105;

     (2) Referral to a sheriff or other server of process, or to a locate service or department employee for locate activities;

     (3) Tracing activity such as:

     (a) Checking local telephone directories and attempts by telephone or mail to contact the custodial parent, relatives of the noncustodial parent, past or present employers, or the post office;

     (b) Contacting state agencies, unions, financial institutions or fraternal organizations;

     (c) Searching periodically for identification information recorded by other state agencies, federal agencies, credit bureaus, or other record-keeping agencies or entities; or

     (d) Maintaining a case in the division of child support's automated locate program, which is a continuous search process.

     (4) Referral to the state or federal parent locator service;

     (5) Referral to the attorney general, prosecuting attorney, the IV-D agency of another state, or the Department of the Treasury for specific legal or collection action;

     (6) Attempting to confirm the existence of and to obtain a copy of a paternity acknowledgment; or

     (7) Conducting other actions reasonably calculated to produce information regarding the NCP's whereabouts.

     "Required support obligation for the current month" means the amount set by a superior court order, tribal court order, or administrative order for support which is due in the month in question.

     "Resident" means a person physically present in the state of Washington who intends to make their home in this state. A temporary absence from the state does not destroy residency once it is established.

     "Residential care" means foster care, either state or federally funded.

     "Residential parent" means the custodial parent (CP), or the person with whom the child resides that majority of the time.

     "Responsible parent" is a term sometimes used for a noncustodial parent.

     "Responsible stepparent" means a stepparent who has established an in loco parentis relationship with the dependent child.

     "Retained support" means a debt owed to the division of child support by anyone other than a noncustodial parent.

     "Satisfaction of judgment" means payment in full of a court-ordered support obligation, or a determination that such an obligation is no longer enforceable.

     "Secretary" means the secretary of the department of social and health services or the secretary's designee.

     "State" means a state or political subdivision, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, a federally recognized Indian tribe or a foreign country.

     "Superior court order" means a judgment, decree or order of a Washington state superior court, or of another state's court of comparable jurisdiction.

     "Support debt" means support which was due under a support order but has not been paid. This includes:

     (1) Delinquent support;

     (2) A debt for the payment of expenses for the reasonable or necessary care, support and maintenance including medical expenses, birth costs, child care costs, and special child rearing expenses of a dependent child or other person;

     (3) A debt under RCW 74.20A.100 or 74.20A.270; or

     (4) Accrued interest, fees, or penalties charged on a support debt, and attorney's fees and other litigation costs awarded in an action under Title IV-D to establish or enforce a support obligation.

     "Support enforcement services" means all actions the Title IV-D agency is required to perform under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act and state law.

     "Support establishment notice" means a notice and finding of financial responsibility under WAC 388-14A-3115, a notice and finding of parental responsibility under WAC 388-14A-3120, or a notice and finding of medical responsibility under WAC 388-14A-3125.

     "Support money" means money paid to satisfy a support obligation, whether it is called child support, spousal support, alimony, maintenance, enforcement of medical expenses, health insurance, or birth costs.

     "Support obligation" means the obligation to provide for the necessary care, support and maintenance of a dependent child or other person as required by law, including health insurance coverage, medical expenses, birth costs, and child care or special child rearing expenses.

     "Temporarily assigned arrears" means those arrears which accrue prior to the family receiving assistance, for assistance applications dated on or after October 1, 1997, but before October 1, 2008. After the family terminates assistance, temporarily assigned arrears become conditionally assigned arrears.

     "Temporary assistance for needy families," or "TANF" means cash assistance under the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program under Title IV-A of the Social Security Act.

     "Title IV-A" means Title IV-A of the Social Security Act established under Title XX of the Social Security amendments and as incorporated in Title 42 USC.

     "Title IV-A agency" means the part of the department of social and health services which carries out the state's responsibilities under the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program (and the aid for dependent children (AFDC) program when it existed).

     "Title IV-D" means Title IV-D of the Social Security Act established under Title XX of the Social Security amendments and as incorporated in Title 42 USC.

     "Title IV-D agency" or "IV-D agency" means the division of child support, which is the agency responsible for carrying out the Title IV-D plan in the state of Washington. Also refers to the Washington state support registry (WSSR).

     "Title IV-D case" is a case in which the division of child support provides services which qualifies for funding under the Title IV-D plan.

     "Title IV-D plan" means the plan established under the conditions of Title IV-D and approved by the secretary, Department of Health and Human Services.

     "Title IV-E" means Title IV-E of the Social Security Act established under Title XX of the Social Security amendments and as incorporated in Title 42 U.S.C.

     "Title IV-E case" means a foster care case.

     "Tribal TANF" means a temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program run by a tribe.

     "Tribunal" means a state court, tribal court, administrative agency, or quasi-judicial entity authorized to establish, enforce or modify support orders or to determine parentage.

     "Uninsured medical expenses":

     (((1))) For the purpose of establishing or enforcing support obligations ((under RCW 26.23.110,)) means:

     (((a))) (1) Medical expenses not paid by insurance for medical, dental, prescription and optometrical costs incurred on behalf of a child; and

     (((b))) (2) Premiums, copayments, or deductibles incurred on behalf of a child((; and

     (2) Includes health insurance premiums that represent the only health insurance covering a dependent child when either:

     (a) Health insurance for the child is not required by a support order or cannot be enforced by the division of child support (DCS); or

     (b) The premium for covering the child exceeds the maximum limit provided in the support order)).

     "Unreimbursed assistance" means the cumulative amount of assistance which was paid to the family and which has not been reimbursed by assigned support collections.

     "Unreimbursed medical expenses" means any amounts paid by one parent for uninsured medical expenses, which that parent claims the obligated parent owes under a child support order, which percentage share is stated in the child support order itself, not just in the worksheets.

     "We" means the division of child support, part of the department of social and health services of the state of Washington.

     "WSSR" is the Washington state support registry.

     "You" means the reader of the rules, a member of the public, or a recipient of support enforcement services.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.18.170, 26.23.035, 26.23.050, [26.23.]110, 74.20.040, 74.20A.030, [74.20A.]055, [74.20A.]056, and 74.20A.310. 09-02-059, § 388-14A-1020, filed 1/5/09, effective 1/27/09. Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-1020, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.20A.310, 45 C.F.R. 302.31 and 302.33. 06-03-120, § 388-14A-1020, filed 1/17/06, effective 2/17/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, 74.20A.310. 05-14-101, § 388-14A-1020, filed 6/30/05, effective 7/31/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 26.18.170, 42 U.S.C. 666 (a)(19), Child Support Performance and Incentives Act of 1998, 45 C.F.R. 303.31, and 45 C.F.R. 303.32. 04-17-119, § 388-14A-1020, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-1020, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-011 and 388-14-020.]

     (2) As a condition of eligibility for assistance, a family member must assign to the state the right to collect and keep, subject to the limitation in subsection (3), any support owing to the family member or to any other person for whom the family member has applied for or is receiving assistance.

     (3) Amounts assigned under this section may not exceed the lesser of the total amount of assistance paid to the family or the total amount of the assigned support obligation.

     (4) When you receive medicaid or medical benefits, you assign your rights to medical support to the state. This applies to all recipients of medical assistance under the state program funded under Title XIX of the federal Social Security Act:

     (a) If your children receive medicaid or other state-financed medical coverage through the department under chapter 74.09 RCW for which there is an assignment and if your order provides for the payment of a monthly payment toward the premium when the obligated parent does not provide coverage, the division of child support (DCS) may serve a notice of support owed to establish the amount owed by the noncustodial parent as a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by the state, as provided in WAC 388-14A-3312.

     (b) Any amounts established under WAC 388-14A-3312 for periods while your children receive medicaid or other state-financed medical coverage are assigned to the state and are distributed as provided in WAC 388-14A-5011.

     (c) Amounts assigned under this section may not exceed the lesser of the total amount of premiums paid by the state for your children or the total amount of the assigned monthly payment toward the premium.

     (5) In addition to the assignment described in this section, there is an assignment of support rights under Title IV-E of the social security act when a child receives foster care services.

     (a) The state provides foster care programs which may be federally-funded or state funded, or may place a child with a relative.

     (b) As part of its state plan under Title IV-D of the social security act and 45 CFR 302.52, DCS provides child support enforcement services for foster care cases as required by 45 CFR 302.33, RCW 74.20.330 and 74.20A.030.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.20A.310, 45 C.F.R. 302.31 and 302.33. 06-03-120, § 388-14A-2035, filed 1/17/06, effective 2/17/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.270, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2035, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-200.]

     (a) Any support owing to the family member or to any other person for whom the family member has applied for or is receiving assistance if the family applied for cash public assistance before October 1, 2008.

     (b) Support owing to the family member, or to any other person for whom the family member has applied for or is receiving cash public assistance, for any month during which the family receives assistance.

     (2) While your family receives assistance, support is distributed and disbursed in accordance with WAC 388-14A-5000 through 388-14A-5015.

     (3) After your family terminates from assistance, certain accrued arrears remain assigned to the state in accordance with the following rules:

     (a) For assistance applications dated prior to October 1, 1997, you permanently assigned to the state all rights to support which accrued before the application date until the date your family terminated from assistance.

     (b) For assistance applications dated on or after October 1, 1997, and before October 1, 2000:

     (i) You permanently assigned to the state all rights to support which accrued while your family receives assistance; and

     (ii) You temporarily assigned to the state all rights to support which accrued before the application date, until October 1, 2000, or when your family terminated from assistance, whichever date is later.

     (c) For assistance applications dated on or after October 1, 2000, and before October 1, 2008:

     (i) You permanently assigned to the state all rights to support which accrued while the family received assistance; and

     (ii) You temporarily assigned to the state all rights to support which accrued before the application date, until the date your family terminated from assistance.

     (d) For assistance applications dated on or after October 1, 2008, you permanently assign to the state all rights to support which accrue while the family receives assistance.

     (4) When you assign your medical support rights to the state, you authorize the state on behalf of yourself and the children in your care to enforce the noncustodial parent's full duty to provide medical support.

     (a) When you begin receiving medicaid or medical assistance, you do not assign to the state any accrued medical support arrears that may be owed to you by the noncustodial parent (NCP).

     (b) If your support order provides for the payment of a monthly payment toward the premium when the obligated parent does not provide coverage, the division of child support (DCS) may serve a notice of support owed to establish the amount owed by the NCP as a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by the state, as provided in WAC 388-14A-3312.

     (c) After you terminate medicaid or medical assistance, any assigned medical arrears remain assigned to the state.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.18.170, 26.23.035, 26.23.050, [26.23.]110, 74.20.040, 74.20A.030, [74.20A.]055, [74.20A.]056, and 74.20A.310. 09-02-059, § 388-14A-2036, filed 1/5/09, effective 1/27/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.20A.310, 45 C.F.R. 302.31 and 302.33. 06-03-120, § 388-14A-2036, filed 1/17/06, effective 2/17/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.270, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2036, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-200.]

     (2) The ((noncustodial parent (NCP) has)) NCP and the CP each have the burden of proving any defenses to their own liability. See WAC 388-14A-3370.

     (3) ((Both)) The NCP and/or the custodial parent (CP) must show cause why the terms in the NFFR, NFPR, or NFMR are incorrect.

     (4) The administrative law judge (ALJ) has authority to enter a support obligation that may be higher or lower than the amounts set forth in the NFFR, NFPR, or NFMR, including the support debt, current support, and the future support obligation.

     (a) The ALJ may enter an order that differs from the terms stated in the notice, including different debt periods, if the obligation is supported by credible evidence presented by any party at the hearing, without further notice to any nonappearing party, if the ALJ finds that due process requirements have been met.

     (b) Any support order entered by the ALJ must comply with the requirements of WAC 388-14A-6300.

     (5) The ALJ has no authority to determine custody or visitation issues, or to set a payment schedule for the arrears debt.

     (6) When a party has advised the ALJ that they will participate by telephone, the ALJ attempts to contact that party on the record before beginning the proceeding or rules on a motion. The ALJ may not disclose to the other parties the telephone number of the location of the party appearing by phone.

     (7) In most support establishment hearings, the NCP and CP may participate in the hearing. However, in certain cases, there is no "custodial parent" because the child or children are in foster care.

     (a) If both the NCP ((fails)) and CP fail to appear for hearing, see WAC 388-14A-3131.

     (b) If only one of the parties appears for the hearing, see WAC 388-14A-3132.

     (c) If both the NCP ((appears)) and CP appear for hearing, see WAC 388-14A-3133.

     (8) In ((certain)) some cases, there can be two NCPs, called "joint NCPs." This happens when DCS serves a joint support establishment notice on the marital community made up of a husband and wife ((are jointly served a support establishment notice)) who reside together, seeking to establish a support obligation for a ((common)) child in common who is not residing in their home.

     (a) If both joint NCPs fail to appear for hearing, see WAC 388-14A-3131;

     (b) If both joint NCPs appear for hearing, see WAC 388-14A-3133; or

     (c) One joint NCP may appear and represent the other joint NCP.

     (9) When the CP ((asserts)) is granted good cause level B (see WAC 388-422-0020), DCS notifies the CP that ((they)) the CP will ((continue to)) receive documents, notices and orders. The CP may choose to participate at any time. Failure to appear at hearing results in a default order but does not result in a sanction for noncooperation under WAC 388-14A-2041.

     (10) If any party appears for the hearing and elects to proceed, ((absent the granting of a continuance)) the ALJ hears the matter and enters an initial decision and order based on the evidence presented, unless the ALJ grants a continuance. The ALJ includes a party's failure to appear in the initial decision and order as an order of default against that party. The direct appeal rights of the party who failed to appear ((shall be)) are limited to an appeal on the record made at the hearing.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.160. 06-09-015, § 388-14A-3140, filed 4/10/06, effective 5/11/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 34.05.310 (4)(d), 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 03-20-072, § 388-14A-3140, filed 9/29/03, effective 10/30/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3140, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00. Formerly WAC 388-11-400 and 388-11-425.]

     (a) ((Actual income)) Full-time earnings at the current rate of pay;

     (b) ((Estimated income, if DCS has:

     (i) Incomplete information;

     (ii) Information based on the prevailing wage in the parent's trade or profession; or

     (iii) Information that is not current.

     (c) Imputed income under RCW 26.19.071(6))) Full-time earnings at the historical rate of pay based on reliable information, such as employment security department data;

     (c) Full-time earnings at a past rate of pay where information is incomplete or sporadic;

     (d) Full-time earnings at minimum wage in the jurisdiction where the parent resides if the parent has a recent history of minimum wage earnings, is recently coming off public assistance, general assistance-unemployable, supplemental security income, or disability, has recently been released from incarceration, or is a high school student; or

     (e) Median net monthly income of year-round full-time workers as derived from the United States bureau of census, current population reports.

     (2) As an exception to the imputation process described in subsection (1) of this section, DCS and/or the ALJ imputes full time earnings at the minimum wage to a TANF recipient in the absence of actual income information((, DCS imputes full time earnings at the minimum wage to a TANF recipient)). You may rebut the imputation of income if you are excused from being required to work while receiving TANF, because:

     (a) You are either engaged in other qualifying WorkFirst activities which do not generate income, such as job search; or

     (b) You are excused or exempt from being required to work in order to receive TANF, because of other barriers such as family violence or mental health issues.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3205, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 34.05.310 (4)(d), 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 03-20-072, § 388-14A-3205, filed 9/29/03, effective 10/30/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3205, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00. Formerly WAC 388-11-205.]

     (2) DCS may serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110 on a noncustodial parent (NCP) ((under RCW 26.23.110)) to establish a fixed dollar amount of monthly support and accrued support debt, including day care costs:

     (a) If the support obligation under an order is not a fixed dollar amount; or

     (b) To implement an adjustment or escalation provision of a court order.

     (((2))) (3) The notice of support owed may include day care costs and medical support if the court order provides for such costs.

     (4) DCS may serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110 on either of the parties to a support order, whether the party being served is the noncustodial parent (NCP) or the custodial parent (CP), in order to establish that parent's share of medical expenses and/or medical support owed for the child or children covered by a support order. WAC 388-14A-3312 describes the use of a notice of support owed for this purpose.

     (a) DCS may use the notice of support owed to collect unreimbursed medical expenses from either of the parties to a support order when the support order provides that a parent is responsible for his or her proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses, no matter which one has custody of the child(ren).

     (((3))) (b) DCS may serve a notice of support owed to establish a parent's share of a health insurance premium paid by the other parent or DSHS for coverage for the child(ren), as provided in RCW 26.09.105 (1)(c). If the child support order provides that either or both parents are obligated to pay a monthly payment in the form of a proportionate share of the health insurance premium for the child(ren), and the obligated parent does not have health insurance available through his or her union or employer, DCS may serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110. DCS may serve the notice on:

     (i) The NCP to establish and enforce the NCP's monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by the CP or by the state; or

     (ii) The CP to establish and enforce the CP's monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by the NCP.

     (5) DCS serves a notice of support owed under this section on ((an)) the NCP or the CP, as appropriate, like a summons in a civil action or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

     (((4))) (6) Following service of a notice of support owed under this section, DCS mails notice to the other party to the support order.

     (a) After service on the NCP, DCS mails a notice to payee under WAC 388-14A-3315.

     (b) After service on the CP, DCS mails the NCP a copy of the notice which was served on the NCP.

     (((5))) (7) In a notice of support owed, DCS includes the information required by RCW 26.23.110, and:

     (a) The factors stated in the order to calculate monthly support or the amounts claimed for medical support;

     (b) Any other information not contained in the order that was used to calculate monthly support or medical support and ((the)) any support debt; and

     (c) Notice of the right to request an annual review of the order or a review on the date, if any, given in the order for an annual review.

     (((6))) (8) The NCP, or the CP as appropriate, must make all support payments after service of a notice of support owed to the Washington state support registry. DCS does not credit payments made to any other party after service of a notice of support owed except as provided in WAC 388-14A-3375.

     (((7))) (9) A notice of support owed becomes final and subject to immediate income withholding and enforcement without further notice under chapters 26.18, 26.23, and 74.20A RCW unless the NCP (or CP as appropriate), within twenty days of service of the notice in Washington:

     (a) Contacts DCS, and signs an agreed settlement;

     (i) Files a request with DCS for a hearing under this section; or

     (ii) Obtains a stay from the superior court.

     (b) A notice of support owed served in another state becomes final according to WAC 388-14A-7200.

     (((8))) (10) DCS may enforce at any time:

     (a) A fixed or minimum dollar amount for monthly support stated in the court order or by prior administrative order entered under this section;

     (b) Any part of a support debt that has been reduced to a fixed dollar amount by a court or administrative order; and

     (c) Any part of a support debt that neither party claims is incorrect.

     (((9))) (11) For the rules on a hearing on a notice of support owed, see WAC 388-14A-3320.

     (((10))) (12) A notice of support owed or a final administrative order issued under WAC 388-14A-3320 must inform the parties of the right to request an annual review of the order.

     (((11))) (13) If ((an)) either the NCP or ((custodial parent (CP))) CP requests a late hearing, ((the party)) he or she must show good cause for filing the late hearing request if it is filed more than one year after service of the notice of support owed.

     (((12))) (14) A notice of support owed fully and fairly informs the ((NCP)) parties of the rights and responsibilities in this section.

     (((13))) (15) For the purposes of this section, WAC 388-14A-3312, 388-14A-3315 and 388-14A-3320, the term "payee" includes "physical custodian," "custodial parent," or "party seeking reimbursement."

     (16) DCS serves a notice of support owed under this section only when the party on whose behalf the notice is served has:

     (a) An open IV-D case; and

     (b) A Washington child support order.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3310, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310 and 26.23.110, and 74.20A.040. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-3310, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3310, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-415.]

     (a) Establish as a sum certain and collect the obligated parent's proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses owed to the party seeking reimbursement;

     (b) Establish as a sum certain and collect the obligated parent's monthly payment toward the premium paid by the other parent for insurance coverage for the child;

     (c) Establish as a sum certain and collect the NCP's monthly payment toward the premium amounts paid for managed care coverage for the child by the state, if the child receives state-financed medical coverage through the department under chapter 74.09 RCW for which there is an assignment; or

     (d) Establish and collect amounts owed under both subsections (a) and (b) of this section.

     (2) Either the NCP or the CP (if the CP is both a parent and a party to the support order) may ask DCS to serve a notice of support owed ((for)) on the other party to the support order in order to establish the obligated parent's proportionate share of unreimbursed medical expenses ((on the other party to the support order, if that party is an obligated party under)) if the support order establishes such an obligation.

     (a) If the CP is not both a parent and a party to the support order, DCS can not assist the CP in making a claim for unreimbursed medical expenses, but the CP may seek to recover such expenses by filing an action in court.

     (b) DCS serves the notice if the party seeking reimbursement provides proof of payment of at least five hundred dollars in uninsured medical expenses.

     (3) Either the NCP or the CP may ask DCS to serve a notice of support owed on the other parent when the support order provides that if health insurance is not available through the obligated parent's employer or union at a cost not to exceed twenty-five percent of the basic support obligation, the obligated parent must pay a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage which represents the obligated parent's proportionate share of the health insurance premium paid by the other parent or the state.

     (a) DCS serves the notice to establish a monthly payment toward the premium paid by the other parent only if the obligated parent is not already providing coverage for the children.

     (b) If the CP is not both a parent and a party to the support order DCS cannot assist the CP in making a claim for a monthly contribution toward any insurance coverage provided by the CP.

     (4) Each parent's proportionate share of income and basic support obligation is found on the Washington state child support schedule worksheet that was completed as part of the support order.

     (5) If the support order provides for the payment of a monthly amount as part of the parent's medical support obligation under RCW 26.09.105 (1)(c) but does not set that obligation as a sum certain, the division of child support (DCS) may serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110 to establish the amount owed by the obligated parent as a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by the other parent or the state, when appropriate.

     (6) When either parent asks DCS to serve a notice of support owed to establish the other parent's proportionate share of unreimbursed medical expenses and the expenses include premiums for health insurance for the child(ren) covered by the order, DCS reviews the order to determine whether it provides for a monthly payment toward the premium when the obligated parent does not have insurance available through his or her employer or union.

     (a) If the order does not have such a requirement, DCS includes the health insurance premiums in the claim for reimbursement of uninsured medical expenses.

     (b) If the order does have such a requirement, DCS serves a notice of support owed which:

     (i) Includes the health insurance premiums in the claim for reimbursement of uninsured medical expenses; and

     (ii) If appropriate, includes the provisions necessary to establish a monthly contribution which represents the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid by the other parent (not to exceed twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation), if the obligated parent is not already providing health insurance coverage for the child(ren).

     (7) Once DCS serves a notice of support owed under this section that establishes a monthly payment toward the premium, which represents the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid by the other parent or the state, the obligated parent is not required to reimburse the other parent or the state for any amounts of the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium which are not paid because those amounts exceed twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation. The obligation to contribute a proportionate share of other uninsured medical expenses is not affected by the establishment of a monthly payment toward the premium under this section.

     (8) If the child(ren) receive medicaid or other state-financed medical coverage through the department under chapter 74.09 RCW for which there is an assignment, DCS may serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110 to establish the amount owed by the noncustodial parent as a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by the state, which represents the obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium paid by the state (not to exceed twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation), if the obligated parent is not already providing health insurance coverage for the child(ren).

     (9) A parent's request that DCS serve a notice of support owed to establish the other parent's obligation for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support:

     (a) May be for a period of up to twenty-four consecutive months.

     (b) May include only medical services provided after July 21, 2007.

     (c) May include only health insurance coverage provided after September 30, 2009.

     (d) May not include months which were included in a prior notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support or a prior judgment.

     (((d))) (e) Need not be for the twenty-four month period immediately following the period included in the prior notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support.

     (((4))) (10) The party seeking reimbursement must ask DCS to serve a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support within two years of the date that the expense ((being)) or premium was incurred.

     (a) The fact that a ((claim for unreimbursed)) request that DCS serve a notice of support owed for medical ((expenses)) support is ((rejected by DCS)) denied, either in whole or in part, does not mean that the parent cannot pursue reimbursement of those expenses by proceeding in court.

     (b) If a parent obtains a judgment for ((unreimbursed)) reimbursement of medical ((expenses)) support, DCS enforces the judgment.

     (((5))) (11) DCS does not serve a notice of support owed ((for unreimbursed medical expenses)) under RCW 26.23.110 unless the party seeking reimbursement for medical support declares under penalty of perjury that he or she has asked the obligated party to pay his or her share of the medical expenses and/or medical support, or provides good cause for not asking the obligated party to pay.

     (a) If the medical expenses have been incurred within the last twelve months, this requirement is waived.

     (b) If the obligated party denies having received notice that the other party was seeking reimbursement for medical expenses or support, the service of the notice of support owed ((for unreimbursed medical expenses)) constitutes the required notice.

     (((6))) (12) The NCP must apply for full child support enforcement services before the NCP may ask DCS to enforce the CP's medical support obligation.

     (a) DCS opens a separate case to enforce a CP's medical support obligation.

     (b) The case where DCS is enforcing the support order and collecting from the NCP is called the main case.

     (c) The case where DCS is acting on NCP's request to enforce CP's medical support obligation is called the medical support case.

     (((7))) (d) WAC 388-14A-4112 describes the circumstances under which DCS enforces a CP's obligation to provide medical support.

     (13) DCS serves a notice of support owed for medical support on the obligated parent like a summons in a civil action or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

     (((8))) (14) Following service on the obligated parent, DCS mails a notice to the party seeking reimbursement under WAC 388-14A-3315.

     (((9))) (15) In a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support, DCS includes the information required by RCW 26.23.110, and:

     (a) The factors stated in the order regarding medical support;

     (b) A statement of uninsured medical expenses and a declaration by the parent seeking reimbursement; and

     (c) Notice of the right to request an annual review of the order, as provided in WAC 388-14A-3318.

     (((10))) (16) A notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support becomes final and subject to immediate income withholding and enforcement without further notice under chapters 26.18, 26.23, and 74.20A RCW unless ((the obligated)) either parent, within twenty days of service of the notice in Washington:

     (a) Contacts DCS, and signs an agreed settlement;

     (b) Files a request with DCS for a hearing under this section; or

     (c) Obtains a stay from the superior court.

     (((11))) (17) A notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support served in another state becomes final according to WAC 388-14A-7200.

     (((12))) (18) For the rules on a hearing on a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support, see WAC 388-14A-3320.

     (((13))) (19) A notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support or a final administrative order issued under WAC 388-14A-3320 must inform the parties of the right to request an annual review of the order.

     (((14))) (20) If the obligated parent is the NCP, any amounts owing determined by the final administrative order are added to the debt on the main case.

     (a) Amounts owed to the CP are added to the CP debt on the main case.

     (b) Amounts owed to reimburse the state for medicaid or other state-financed medical coverage through the department under chapter 74.09 RCW for which there is an assignment are added to the main case as permanently assigned arrears.

     (((15))) (21) If the obligated parent is the CP, any amounts owing determined by the final administrative order are paid in the following order:

     (a) Any amount owed by the CP to the NCP is applied as an offset to any nonassistance child support arrears owed by the NCP on the main case only; or

     (b) If there is no debt owed to the CP on the main case, payment of the amount owed by the CP is in the form of a credit against the NCP's future child support obligation:

     (i) Spread equally over a twelve-month period starting the month after the administrative order becomes final, but not to exceed ten percent of the current support amount; or

     (ii) When the future support obligation will end under the terms of the order in less than twelve months, spread equally over the life of the order, but not to exceed ten percent of the current support amount.

     (c) If the amount owed by the CP exceeds the amount that can be paid off using the methods specified in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, DCS uses the medical support case to collect the remaining amounts owed using the remedies available to DCS for collecting child support debts.

     (((16))) (22) If either the obligated parent or the parent seeking reimbursement or payment toward the premium requests a late hearing, that party must show good cause for filing the late hearing request if it is filed more than one year after service of the notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support.

     (((17))) (23) A notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support fully and fairly informs the obligated parent of the rights and responsibilities in this section.

     (((18))) (24) A notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support under this section is subject to annual review as provided in WAC 388-14A-3318.

     (((19))) (25) If both CP and NCP request that DCS serve a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support on the other party, those notices remain separate and may not be combined.

     (a) The office of administrative hearings (OAH) may schedule consecutive hearings but may not combine the matters under the same docket number.

     (b) The administrative law judge (ALJ) must issue two separate administrative orders, one for each obligated parent.

     (((20))) (26) DCS does not serve a second or subsequent notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support on an obligated parent until the party seeking reimbursement meets the conditions set forth in WAC 388-14A-3318.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3312, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08.]

     (a) A notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3310; ((or))

     (b) A notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support under WAC 388-14A-3312; or

     (c) A notice of support debt under WAC 388-14A-3304.

     (2) DCS sends the notice to payee by first class mail to the last known address of the payee and encloses a copy of the notice served on the ((NCP)) obligated parent.

     (3) In a notice to payee, DCS informs the payee of the right to file a request with DCS for a hearing on a notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3310, a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support under WAC 388-14A-3312, or a notice of support debt under WAC 388-14A-3304 within twenty days of the date of a notice to payee that was mailed to a Washington address.

     (4) If the notice to payee was mailed to an out-of-state address, the payee may request a hearing within sixty days of the date of the notice to payee.

     (5) The notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3312 informs both the CP and the NCP of the right to file a request for hearing on the notice within twenty days of the date of a notice to payee that was mailed to a Washington address, or within sixty days if the NCP copy is mailed to an out-of-state address.

     (6) The effective date of a hearing request is the date DCS receives the request.

     (((6) When DCS serves a notice of support owed for unreimbursed medical expenses under WAC 388-14A-3312, DCS mails the notice to payee to the parent seeking reimbursement.))

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3315, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 34.05.310 (4)(d), 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310. 03-20-072, § 388-14A-3315, filed 9/29/03, effective 10/30/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3315, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-440.]

     (a) This ((type of annual review concerns)) section describes the annual review that ((takes place after service of)) occurs for a final administrative order that resulted from a notice of support owed that was served under WAC 388-14A-3310.

     (b) ((For the definition of an annual review of a support order under RCW 26.23.110 that takes place after service of)) WAC 388-14A-3318 describes the annual review that for a final administrative order that results from a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support that was served under WAC 388-14A-3312((, see WAC 388-14A-3318)).

     (2) For purposes of chapter 388-14A WAC, an "annual review of a support order" is defined as:

     (a) The collection by DCS of necessary information from CP and NCP;

     (b) The service of a notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3310; and

     (c) The determination of arrears and current support amount with an effective date which is at least twelve months after the date the last notice of support owed, or the last administrative order or decision based on a notice of support owed, became a final administrative order.

     (3) A notice of support owed may be prepared and served sooner than twelve months after the date the last notice of support owed, or the last administrative order or decision based on a notice of support owed, became a final administrative order, but the amounts determined under the notice of support owed may not be effective sooner than twelve months after that date.

     (4) Either CP or NCP may request an annual review of the support order, even though ((the statute)) RCW 26.23.110 mentions only the NCP.

     (5) DCS may ((request)) commence an annual review of the support order on its own initiative, but has no duty to ((do so)) commence an annual review unless either the CP or NCP requests a review.

     (6) For the purpose of this section, the terms "payee" and "CP" are interchangeable, and can mean either the payee under the order or the person with whom the child resides the majority of the time.

     (7) The twelve-month requirement for an annual review under this section runs separately from the twelve-month requirement for an annual review under WAC 388-14A-3318.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3317, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310, 26.23.110, and 74.20A.040. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-3317, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05.]

     (2) For purposes of chapter 388-14A WAC, the following rules apply to an "annual review of a support order" for a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support served under WAC 388-14A-3312:

     (a) Either the CP or the NCP may be the party seeking reimbursement.

     (b) The party seeking reimbursement of uninsured medical expenses must provide proof of payment of at least five hundred dollars in uninsured medical expenses for services provided in the last twenty-four months.

     (c) There is no minimum dollar amount required when asking for an annual review concerning the monthly payment toward the premium paid by the other party or the state.

     (d) At least twelve months must have passed since:

     (i) The date the last notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support on behalf of the party seeking reimbursement became a final order; or

     (ii) The last administrative order or decision based on a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support on behalf of that party became a final administrative order.

     (3) In the event that DCS has served both a notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3310 and a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support under WAC 388-14A-3312 on the same case, each type of notice of support owed has its own twelve-month cycle for annual review.

     (4) For purposes of this section, the twelve-month cycle for annual review runs separately for the NCP and for the CP, depending on which one is the party seeking reimbursement.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3318, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08.]

     (2) A hearing on a notice of support owed served under WAC 388-14A-3310 is only to determine:

     (a) The amount of monthly support as a fixed dollar amount;

     (b) Any accrued arrears through the date of hearing; and

     (c) If a condition precedent in the order to begin or adjust the support obligation was met.

     (3) A hearing on a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support served under WAC 388-14A-3312 is only to determine:

     (a) Issues regarding unreimbursed medical expenses, such as:

     (i) Whether the parent on whom the notice was served is obligated under the support order to pay for uninsured medical expenses for the children covered by the order;

     (((b))) (ii) The total amount of uninsured medical expenses paid by the party seeking reimbursement;

     (((c))) (iii) The obligated parent's share of the uninsured medical expenses;

     (((d))) (iv) The amount, if any, the obligated parent has already paid to the party seeking reimbursement; and

     (((e))) (v) The amount owed by the obligated parent to the party seeking reimbursement for unreimbursed medical expenses.

     (b) Issues regarding a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage for the children, such as:

     (i) Whether the support order requires the obligated parent to pay when the obligated parent does not provide coverage;

     (ii) Whether the obligated parent is currently providing coverage, or did so during the time period in question;

     (iii) The amount of the premium paid by the other parent or by the state to cover the child(ren);

     (iv) The obligated parent's proportionate share of the premium;

     (v) The amount, if any, the obligated parent has already contributed toward health insurance premiums paid by the other parent or the state for the time period in question; and

     (vi) The monthly amount to be paid by the obligated parent as his or her proportionate share of the health insurance premium.

     (4) If the administrative law judge (ALJ) determines that the uninsured medical expenses claimed by the parent seeking reimbursement do not amount to at least five hundred dollars, the ALJ:

     (a) May not dismiss the notice on this basis;

     (b) Must make the determination listed in subsection (3) above.

     (5) The hearing is not for the purpose of setting a payment schedule on the support debt.

     (6) Either the noncustodial parent (NCP) or payee may request a hearing on a notice of support owed served under WAC 388-14A-3310.

     (7) Either the obligated parent or the party seeking reimbursement may request a hearing on a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support served under WAC 388-14A-3312.

     (8) The party who requested the hearing has the burden of proving any defenses to liability that apply under WAC 388-14A-3370 or that the amounts stated in the notice of support owed are incorrect.

     (9) The office of administrative hearings (OAH) sends a notice of hearing to the NCP, to the division of child support (DCS), and to the custodial parent (CP). The NCP and the CP each may participate in the hearing as an independent party.

     (10) If only one party appears and wishes to proceed with the hearing, the administrative law judge (ALJ) holds a hearing and issues an order based on the evidence presented or continues the hearing. See WAC 388-14A-6110 and 388-14A-6115 to determine if the ALJ enters an initial order or a final order.

     (a) An order issued under this subsection includes an order of default against the nonappearing party and limits the appeal rights of the nonappearing party to the record made at the hearing.

     (b) If neither the NCP nor the CP appears or wishes to proceed with the hearing, the ALJ issues an order of default against both parties.

     (11) If either party requests a late hearing on a notice of support owed, that party must show good cause for filing the late hearing request, as provided in WAC 388-14A-3500.

     (12) For purposes of this section, the terms "payee" and "CP" are used interchangeably and can mean either the CP, the payee under the order or both, except that a CP who is not also the payee under the support order may not ask DCS to serve a notice of support owed for ((unreimbursed)) medical ((expenses)) support under WAC 388-14A-3312.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3320, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.160. 06-09-015, § 388-14A-3320, filed 4/10/06, effective 5/11/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310, 26.23.110, and 74.20A.040. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-3320, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3320, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01.]

     (a) The monthly basic child support ((amount)) obligation for all of your biological or legal children cannot exceed forty-five percent of your monthly net income, unless there are special circumstances as provided in chapter 26.19 RCW; and

     (b) The monthly basic child support ((amount)) obligation cannot reduce your net monthly income below ((the one person need standard (WAC 388-478-0015))) one hundred twenty-five percent of the federal poverty level, unless there are special circumstances as provided in chapter 26.19 RCW.

     (2) RCW 74.20A.090 limits the amount that can be withheld from your wages for child support to fifty percent of your net monthly earnings.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3400, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-205.]

     (2) When DCS is enforcing a support order which contains a specific dollar limit for the cost of health insurance premiums or provides for coverage which is available at no cost to the ((NCP)) obligated parent, DCS does not require the ((NCP)) obligated parent to provide health insurance if coverage is not available within the limitations of the order.

     (3) When DCS is enforcing a support order entered in Washington on or after October 1, 2009, which provides that either or both parents must provide coverage and/or a proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses as part of the medical support obligation under RCW 26.09.105, the rules in this subsection apply unless the support order specifies differently:

     (a) The obligated parent must provide health insurance for dependent children covered by the order if coverage is:

     (i) Available or becomes available through private insurance which is not provided through the obligated parent's employer or union; or

     (ii) Available or becomes available through the obligated parent's employment or union at a cost of not greater than twenty-five percent of the obligated parent's basic support obligation.

     (b) If the obligated parent does not provide proof of coverage or if coverage is not available, DCS may serve a notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3312 to determine the monthly amount that the obligated parent must pay as his or her proportionate share of any premium paid by the other parent or by the state on behalf of the child(ren).

     (4) When DCS is enforcing a support order entered ((on or after)) in Washington between May 13, 1989 and September 30, 2009, unless the support order specifies differently, the ((NCP)) obligated parent must provide health insurance for dependent children if coverage is:

     (a) Available or becomes available through the ((NCP's)) obligated parent's employment or union; and

     (b) Available at a cost of not greater than twenty-five per cent of the ((NCP's)) obligated parent's basic support obligation.

     (((4))) (5) When DCS is enforcing a Washington support order entered prior to May 13, 1989, unless the support order specifies differently, the ((NCP)) obligated parent must provide health insurance for dependent children if coverage is available or becomes available through the ((NCP's)) obligated parent's employment or union:

     (a) For a maximum of twenty-five dollars per month, if the order specifies that the ((NCP)) obligated parent must provide coverage only if it is available at a reasonable cost; or

     (b) For any premium amount whatsoever, if the order does not specify reasonable cost.

     (((5))) (6) When DCS is enforcing a support order entered by a court or administrative tribunal that is not located in Washington, unless the order provides differently, DCS enforces the medical support obligation as provided in subsection (4) of this section.

     (7) DCS serves a notice of intent to enforce a health insurance obligation if the support order:

     (a) Requires the ((NCP)) obligated parent either to provide health insurance coverage or prove that coverage is not available; and

     (b) Does not inform the ((NCP)) obligated parent that failure to provide health insurance or prove it is not available may result in enforcement of the order without notice to the ((NCP)) obligated parent.

     (((6))) (8) DCS serves the notice of intent to enforce a health insurance obligation on the ((NCP)) obligated parent by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service.

     (((7))) (9) The notice advises the ((NCP)) obligated parent that ((the NCP)) he or she must submit proof of coverage, proof that coverage is not available, or proof that the ((NCP)) obligated parent has applied for coverage, within twenty days of the date of service of the notice.

     (((8))) (10) The notice advises the ((NCP)) obligated parent that, if health insurance is not yet available, the ((NCP)) obligated parent must immediately notify DCS if health insurance coverage becomes available through the ((NCP's)) obligated parent's employer or union.

     (((9))) (11) When DCS enforces an ((NCP's)) obligated parent's health insurance obligation, such enforcement may include asking the employer and the plan administrator to enroll the ((NCP)) obligated parent in a health insurance plan available through the employer.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 26.18.170, 42 U.S.C. 666 (a)(19), Child Support Performance and Incentives Act of 1998, 45 C.F.R. 303.31, and 45 C.F.R. 303.32. 04-17-119, § 388-14A-4100, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.18.170, 26.18.180, 74.20A.055. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-4100, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-215 and 388-14-460.]

     (a) Provide health insurance coverage; and

     (b) Provide proof of coverage to the other parent and to the division of child support (DCS), such as:

     (i) The name of the insurer providing the health insurance coverage;

     (ii) The names of the beneficiaries covered;

     (iii) The policy number;

     (iv) That coverage is current; and

     (v) The name and address of the obligated parent's employer.

     (2) If health insurance coverage that is accessible to the children named in the order is available, the obligated parent must:

     (a) Provide for coverage for the children without waiting for an open enrollment period, as provided under RCW 48.01.235 (4)(a); and

     (b) Submit proof of coverage as outlined in subsection (1)(b) above.

     (3) If health insurance is not immediately available to the obligated parent, as soon as health insurance becomes available, the obligated parent must:

     (a) Provide for coverage for the children named in the order; and

     (b) Submit proof of coverage as outlined in subsection (1)(b) above.

     (4) Medical assistance provided by the department under chapter 74.09 RCW does not substitute for health insurance.

     (5) DCS may serve a notice of support owed for medical support under WAC 388-14A-3312 to establish either or both of the following:

     (a) Either parent's share of uninsured medical expenses owed to the other parent; or

     (b) Either parent's monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage by the other parent or the state, if:

     (i) Health insurance coverage is not available through the parent's employer or union or is not otherwise provided; and

     (ii) The support order provides for the payment of a monthly payment toward the premium when the obligated parent does not provide coverage.

     (6) See WAC 388-14A-4165 for a description of what happens when the combined total of a noncustodial parent's current support obligation, arrears payment and health insurance premiums to be withheld by the employer exceeds the fifty per cent limitation for withholding.

     (7) Both parents must notify DCS any time there is a change to the health insurance coverage for the children named in the order.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-4110, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 26.18.170, 42 U.S.C. 666 (a)(19), Child Support Performance and Incentives Act of 1998, 45 C.F.R. 303.31, and 45 C.F.R. 303.32. 04-17-119, § 388-14A-4110, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.18.170, 26.18.180, 74.20A.055. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-4110, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-215.]

     (1) The medical support obligation is imposed by a child support order that was not entered in a court or administrative forum of the state of Washington;

     (2) The department of social and health services is not paying public assistance or providing foster care services;

     (3) The party requesting enforcement of the medical support obligation does not have an open IV-D case with DCS for the child;

     (4) The party requesting enforcement of the medical support obligation is not a parent of the child for whom the medical support obligation was established;

     (5) The party requesting enforcement of the medical support obligation is not a former recipient of public assistance as described in WAC 388-14A-2000 (2)(d);

     (6) DCS has not received a request for services from a child support agency in another state or a child support agency of an Indian tribe or foreign country;

     (7) The party requesting enforcement of the medical support obligation has not applied for full support enforcement services;

     (8) The party requesting enforcement of the medical support obligation does not qualify as a party who can receive child support enforcement services from DCS under WAC 388-14A-2000;

     (9) The case does not meet the requirements for provision of support enforcement services from DCS under WAC 388-14A-2010;

     (10) DCS denies the application under WAC 388-14A-2020; or

     (11) The case meets one or more of the reasons set out in WAC 388-14A-4112(2) that DCS does not enforce a custodial parent's obligation to provide medical support.

[]

     (b) The CP's obligation to provide health insurance coverage (including the possibility of a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage when appropriate).

     (2) A medical support obligation includes providing health insurance coverage or contributing a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage when appropriate, and paying a proportionate share of any uninsured medical expenses for the children.

     (a) DCS may enforce the CP's obligation to pay a proportionate share of any uninsured medical expenses for the children under WAC 388-14A-3312.

     (b) DCS may decide whether it is appropriate to enforce the CP's obligation to provide health insurance coverage or contribute a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage under subsection (3) of this section.

     (3) DCS does not enforce a custodial parent's obligation to provide health insurance coverage or pay a monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage when:

     (a) The support order does not include a medical support obligation which includes providing health insurance ((obligation)) or paying monthly payment toward the premium paid for coverage for the CP.

     (b) The NCP is already providing health insurance coverage for the children covered by the order.

     (c) The amount that the CP would have to pay for the premium for health insurance exceeds the NCP's monthly support obligation for the children.

     (d) The children are covered by health insurance provided by someone else.

     (e) The children are receiving medicaid.

     (f) The children are receiving TANF.

     (g) The CP does not reside in Washington state.

     (h) The CP is a tribal member living on or near the reservation.

     (i) The CP is receiving child support enforcement services through a tribal IV-D program.

     (((3))) (4) If none of the conditions under subsection (((2))) (3) exist, DCS may enforce the CP's obligation to provide health insurance coverage when the CP has health insurance available at a reasonable cost through the CP's employer or union.

     (((4))) (5) A "reasonable cost" for health insurance coverage is defined as twenty-five percent of the basic support obligation for the children covered by the order, unless the support order provides a different limitation.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-4112, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08.]

     (2) An NCP is entitled to the reduction for premiums paid only if((:

     (a))) the NCP submits proof of the cost of coverage ((as provided in WAC 388-14A-4110 (1)(b); and

     (b) NCP actually pays the required premium)) which is actually being provided at the time the support order is entered, so that the amounts can be included in the worksheet calculation.

     (((3) If the NCP fails to submit proof or pay the premium, the division of child support (DCS) collects the NCP's adjusted basic support obligation without a reduction for health insurance premium payments.))

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.18.170, 26.18.180, 74.20A.055. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-4115, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-215.]

     (2) DCS sends the NMSN to the obligated parent's employer in one of the following ways:

     (a) In the same manner as a summons in a civil action,

     (b) By certified mail, return receipt requested,

     (c) By regular mail, or

     (d) By electronic means as provided in WAC 388-14A-4040 (1)(d).

     (3) DCS sends the NMSN without notice to the obligated parent, who could be either the noncustodial parent (NCP) or the custodial parent (CP) when:

     (a) A court or administrative order requires the obligated parent to provide insurance coverage for a dependent child;

     (b) The obligated parent fails to provide health insurance (either by not covering the child or by letting the coverage lapse) or fails to provide proof of coverage;

     (c) The requirements of RCW 26.23.050 are met; and

     (d) DCS has reason to believe that coverage is available through the obligated parent's employer or union.

     (4) If sending the NMSN does not result in coverage for the child, DCS may seek to enforce the obligated parent's medical support obligation by other means, as provided in RCW 26.18.170 and WAC 388-14A-4110.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-4120, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 26.18.170, 42 U.S.C. 666 (a)(19), Child Support Performance and Incentives Act of 1998, 45 C.F.R. 303.31, and 45 C.F.R. 303.32. 04-17-119, § 388-14A-4120, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.18.170, 26.18.180, 74.20A.055. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-4120, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-215 and 388-14-480.]

     (2) When the division of child support (DCS) enforces a child support obligation through an income withholding action and also enforces a health insurance obligation, the noncustodial parent's employer often must withhold amounts for:

     (a) Current child support;

     (b) Child support arrears; and

     (c) Health insurance premiums.

     (3) When the employer or plan administrator must enroll the noncustodial parent (NCP) in a health insurance plan in order to enroll the children (see WAC 388-14A-4140), the premium amount for the NCP's coverage is included in the amounts to withhold under subsection (2) above. If the NCP is already enrolled in a plan, the premium amount for the NCP's coverage is not included the amounts to withhold under that subsection.

     (4) If the combined amounts for current support, support arrears and health insurance premiums are more than fifty percent of the noncustodial parent's disposable earnings, the employer must notify DCS immediately.

     (5) In certain circumstances, DCS may adjust the amount to be withheld for support arrears so that the total amount withheld does not exceed fifty percent of the noncustodial parent's disposable earnings.

     (6) If the noncustodial parent's current support obligation plus health insurance premiums exceeds fifty percent of the noncustodial parent's disposable earnings, DCS:

     (a) Enforces the child support obligation through income withholding; but

     (b) Is not able to enforce the noncustodial parent's health insurance obligation at that time.

     (7) In the situation described in subsection (6), DCS may establish a monthly payment toward the premium, as described in WAC 388-14A-3312, even if the combined amount for the current support obligation and the monthly payment toward the premium exceeds fifty percent of the NCP's disposable earnings.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 26.18.170, 42 U.S.C. 666 (a)(19), Child Support Performance and Incentives Act of 1998, 45 C.F.R. 303.31, and 45 C.F.R. 303.32. 04-17-119, § 388-14A-4165, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04.]

     (2) If coverage for the children is terminated, the employer must notify DCS within thirty days of the date coverage ends.

     (3) A parent who is required by a child support order to provide health insurance coverage for his or her children must notify DCS and the other parent within thirty days of the date coverage for the children ends. This requirement applies whether the obligated parent is the custodial parent or the noncustodial parent.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-4175, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 26.18.170, 42 U.S.C. 666 (a)(19), Child Support Performance and Incentives Act of 1998, 45 C.F.R. 303.31, and 45 C.F.R. 303.32. 04-17-119, § 388-14A-4175, filed 8/17/04, effective 9/17/04.]

     (2) DCS must provide HRSA with the following information:

     (a) Title IV-A case number, Title IV-E foster care case number, medicaid number or the individual's Social Security number;

     (b) Name of the obligated parent;

     (c) Social Security number of the obligated parent;

     (d) Name and Social Security number of the child(ren) named in the order;

     (e) Home address of the obligated parent;

     (f) Name and address of the obligated parent's employer;

     (g) Information regarding the obligated parent's health insurance policy; and

     (h) Whether the child(ren) named in the order are covered by the policy.

     (3) DCS must periodically communicate with HRSA to determine if there have been any lapses (stops and starts) in the obligated parent's health insurance coverage for medicaid applicants.

     (4) Before DCS may serve a notice of support owed for medical support under WAC 388-14A-3312 to establish an obligated parent's monthly payment toward the premium paid by the state for coverage, HRSA must provide information regarding the premium paid for each child covered by the notice.

     (a) DCS distributes to HRSA any collections based on the obligation established under WAC 388-14A-3312 when the child receives state-financed medical coverage through the department under chapter 74.09 RCW for which there is an assignment.

     (b) Such collections are retained by the department to reimburse the state, subject to the limitations in WAC 388-14A-2035(4).

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-4180, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.20A.310 and 45 C.F.R. 303.32, 45 C.F.R. 303.30, 45 C.F.R. 303.31. 05-08-060, § 388-14A-4180, filed 3/31/05, effective 5/1/05.]

     (2) The division of child support (DCS) applies support collections within each Title IV-D nonassistance case:

     (a) First, to satisfy the current support obligation for the month DCS received the collection;

     (b) Second, to any current medical support obligation owed to the family;

     (c) Third, to the noncustodial parent's support debts owed to the family;

     (((c) Third)) (d) Fourth, to prepaid support as provided for under WAC 388-14A-5008.

     (3) DCS uses the fee retained under WAC 388-14A-2200 to offset the fee amount charged by the federal government for IV-D cases that meet the fee criteria in WAC 388-14A-2200(1).

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.18.170, 26.23.035, 26.23.050, [26.23.]110, 74.20.040, 74.20A.030, [74.20A.]055, [74.20A.]056, and 74.20A.310. 09-02-059, § 388-14A-5002, filed 1/5/09, effective 1/27/09. Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-5002, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 74.20A.057, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-5002, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-270.]

     (2) The division of child support (DCS) distributes support collections within each Title IV-D assistance case:

     (a) First, to satisfy the current support obligation for the month DCS received the collection;

     (b) Second, to satisfy any current medical support obligation owed for the month DCS received the collection;

     (c) Third, to satisfy support debts which are permanently assigned to the department ((to reimburse the cumulative amount of assistance which has been paid to the family));

     (((c) Third)) (d) Fourth:

     (i) To satisfy support debts which are temporarily assigned to the department to reimburse the cumulative amount of assistance paid to the family; or

     (ii) To satisfy support debts which are conditionally assigned to the department. Support collections distributed to conditionally assigned arrears are disbursed according to WAC 388-14A-2039.

     (((d) Fourth)) (e) Fifth, to satisfy support debts owed to the family;

     (((e) Fifth)) (f) Sixth, to prepaid support as provided for under WAC 388-14A-5008.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.18.170, 26.23.035, 26.23.050, [26.23.]110, 74.20.040, 74.20A.030, [74.20A.]055, [74.20A.]056, and 74.20A.310. 09-02-059, § 388-14A-5003, filed 1/5/09, effective 1/27/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.035, 74.08.090, 74.20A.188, 74.20A.310, 42 U.S.C. 666(a)14. 01-24-078, § 388-14A-5003, filed 12/3/01, effective 1/3/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 74.20A.057, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-5003, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-270.]

     (2) Subject to the exceptions provided under WAC 388-14A-5005, the division of child support (DCS) distributes support collections within each Title IV-D former-assistance case:

     (a) First, to satisfy the current support obligation for the month DCS received the collection;

     (b) Second, to satisfy support debts owed to the family;

     (c) Third, to satisfy support debts which are conditionally assigned to the department. These collections are disbursed according to WAC 388-14A-2039;

     (d) Fourth, to medical support debt owed to the family;

     (e) Fifth, to satisfy support debts which are permanently assigned to the department to reimburse the cumulative amount of assistance which has been paid to the family; and

     (((e) Fifth)) (f) Sixth, to prepaid support as provided for under WAC 388-14A-5008.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.18.170, 26.23.035, 26.23.050, [26.23.]110, 74.20.040, 74.20A.030, [74.20A.]055, [74.20A.]056, and 74.20A.310. 09-02-059, § 388-14A-5004, filed 1/5/09, effective 1/27/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 74.20A.057, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-5004, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-270.]

     (1) First, to satisfy the current support obligation for the month in which DCS received the collection.

     (2) Second, DCS distributes any amounts over current support depending on the type of case to which the collection is distributed:

     (a) In a never assistance case, all remaining amounts are distributed to family arrears, meaning those arrears which have never been assigned.

     (b) In a former assistance case, all remaining amounts are distributed first to family arrears, then to permanently assigned arrears, then to conditionally assigned arrears, and then to assigned medical support arrears.

     (c) In a current assistance case, all remaining amounts are distributed first to permanently assigned arrears, then to temporarily assigned arrears (if they exist), then to conditionally assigned arrears, and then to family arrears.

     (3) Federal tax refund offset collections distributed to assigned support are retained by the state to reimburse the cumulative amount of assistance which has been paid to the family.

     (4) DCS may distribute federal tax refund offset collections only to certified support debts and to current support obligations on cases with certified debts. DCS must refund any excess to the noncustodial parent (NCP).

     (5) DCS may retain the twenty-five dollar annual fee required under the federal deficit reduction act of 2005 and RCW 74.20.040 from federal tax refund offset collections distributed to nonassistance cases.

     (6) When the Secretary of the Treasury, through the federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE), notifies DCS that a collection from a federal tax refund offset is from a tax refund based on a joint return, DCS follows the procedures set forth in WAC 388-14A-5010.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.18.170, 26.23.035, 26.23.050, [26.23.]110, 74.20.040, 74.20A.030, [74.20A.]055, [74.20A.]056, and 74.20A.310. 09-02-059, § 388-14A-5005, filed 1/5/09, effective 1/27/09. Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-5005, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.035, 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 45 C.F.R. 303.72 (h)(5). 05-06-014, § 388-14A-5005, filed 2/22/05, effective 3/25/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 74.20A.057, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-5005, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-270.]

     (1) First, to the current support obligation on each Title IV-D case, in proportion to the amount of the current support order on each case; and

     (2) Second, to the current monthly payment toward the premium, on each Title IV-D case for which a monthly payment toward the premium has been established and is being enforced, in proportion to the amount of the current monthly payment toward the premium owed by the NCP on each case;

     (3) Third, to the total of the support debts whether owed to the family or to the department for the reimbursement of public assistance on each Title IV-D case, in proportion to the amount of support debt owed by the NCP on each case; and

     (((3) Third)) (4) Fourth, within each Title IV-D case according to WAC 388-14A-5002, 388-14A-5003, or 388-14A-5004.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.18.170, 26.23.035, 26.23.050, [26.23.]110, 74.20.040, 74.20A.030, [74.20A.]055, [74.20A.]056, and 74.20A.310. 09-02-059, § 388-14A-5006, filed 1/5/09, effective 1/27/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.035, 74.08.090, 74.20A.188, 74.20A.310, 42 U.S.C. 666(a)14. 01-24-078, § 388-14A-5006, filed 12/3/01, effective 1/3/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 74.20A.057, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-5006, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-270.]

     (a) Proportionate distribution is administratively inefficient; or

     (b) The collection resulted from the sale or disposition of a specific piece of property against which a court awarded the custodial parent (CP) a judgment lien for child support; or

     (c) The collection is the result of a contempt order which provides that DCS must distribute the amounts to a particular case.

     (2) If the collection is the result of an automated enforcement of interstate (AEI) transaction under RCW 74.20A.188, DCS applies the payment as provided in WAC 388-14A-5006, even if the requesting state wants the payment applied to a specific case.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.035, 74.08.090, 74.20A.188, 74.20A.310, 42 U.S.C. 666(a)14. 01-24-078, § 388-14A-5007, filed 12/3/01, effective 1/3/02. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 74.20A.057, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-5007, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-270.]

     (2) In hearings held under this chapter to contest a notice and finding of financial responsibility or a notice and finding of parental responsibility or other notice or petition, the ALJ must determine:

     (a) The noncustodial parent's obligation to provide support under RCW 74.20A.057;

     (b) The names and dates of birth of the children covered by the support order;

     (c) The net monthly income of the noncustodial parent (NCP) and any custodial parent (CP);

     (d) The NCP's share of the basic support obligation and any adjustments to that share, according to his or her circumstances;

     (e) If requested by a party, the NCP's share of any special child-rearing expenses in a sum certain amount per month;

     (f) A statement that either or both parents are obligated to provide medical support under RCW 26.09.105 and 26.18.170, including but not limited to the following:

     (i) A requirement that either or both parents are obligated to provide health insurance coverage for the child covered by the support order if coverage that can be extended to cover the child is or becomes available through the parent's employment or union;

     (ii) Notice that if proof of health insurance coverage or proof that the coverage is unavailable is not provided to DCS within twenty days, DCS may seek direct enforcement through the obligated parent's employer or union without further notice to the parent; and

     (iii) The reasons for not ordering health insurance coverage if the order fails to require such coverage;

     (g) A provision which determines the mother and the father's proportionate share of uninsured medical expenses;

     (h) The NCP's accrued debt and order payments toward the debt in a monthly amount to be determined by the division of child support (DCS);

     (i) The NCP's current and future monthly support obligation as a per month per child amount and order payments in that amount; and

     (j) The NCP's total current and future support obligation as a sum certain and order payments in that amount.

     (3) Having made the determinations required in subsection (2) above, the ALJ must order the NCP to make payments to the Washington state support registry (WSSR).

     (4) The ALJ must allow DCS to orally amend the notice at the hearing to conform to the evidence. The ALJ may grant a continuance, when necessary, to allow the NCP or the CP additional time to present rebutting evidence or argument as to the amendment.

     (5) The ALJ may not require DCS to produce or obtain information, documents, or witnesses to assist the NCP or CP in proof of defenses to liability. However, this rule does not apply to relevant, nonconfidential information or documents that DCS has in its possession.

     (6) In a hearing held on a notice of support owed for medical support issued under WAC 388-14A-3312, the ALJ must determine either or both of the following, depending on what was requested in the notice:

     (a) The amount owed by the obligated parent to the other for unreimbursed medical expenses;

     (b) The monthly amount to be paid by the obligated parent as his or her proportionate share of the health insurance premium paid by the other parent or the state.

     (((a))) (7) The ALJ does not specify how the amounts owed by the obligated parent should be paid.

     (((b))) (8) In the event that DCS has served a notice under WAC 388-14A-3312 on both the NCP and the CP, the ALJ must issue a separate administrative order for each notice issued, and may not set off the debts against each other.

[Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-6300, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 34.05.220 (1)(a), 74.20A.055. 07-06-053, § 388-14A-6300, filed 3/2/07, effective 4/2/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.160. 06-09-015, § 388-14A-6300, filed 4/10/06, effective 5/11/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.050, 34.05.220, 74.08.090, 74.20A.310. 05-14-102, § 388-14A-6300, filed 6/30/05, effective 7/31/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.050, 34.05.220, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, 45 CFR 303.11, 45 CFR 303.100. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-6300, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-100 and 388-11-210.]

     (2) DCS calculates each parent's income under the rules set out in WAC 388-14A-3205, and then calculates the income of the marital community by combining both parents' income in ((the "Father")) one column of the worksheet and does not put any income in the (("Mother")) other column.

     (3) DCS calculates the joint support obligation using the limitations contained in RCW 26.19.065:

     (a) The joint child support obligation may not exceed forty-five percent of the net income of the marital community except for good cause.

     (b) Even ((with)) though there are two parents involved, DCS uses the one-person amount when determining the ((need standard)) one hundred twenty-five percent of federal poverty level limitation.

     (c) Despite the application of any limitations, there is a presumptive minimum obligation of ((twenty-five)) fifty dollars per month per child.

     (((c))) (d) DCS or the administrative law judge (ALJ) may find reasons for deviation and must support those reasons with appropriate findings of fact in the support order.

     (4) As described in subsection (2) of this section, the support obligation in the (("Father")) column of the WSCSS worksheet which contains information regarding both parents is the joint support obligation of the parents. ((The support obligation in the "Mother" column of the WSCSS worksheet is irrelevant for purposes of this particular support calculation.))

     (5) DCS determines the joint support obligation of the parents without regard to the cost of foster care placement, as provided in WAC 388-14A-8105.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 06-16-073, § 388-14A-8130, filed 7/28/06, effective 8/28/06.]

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