WSR 13-24-103

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 3, 2013, 1:48 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-790 WAC proposed amendments to the special supplemental nutrition program for women, infants and children (WIC) requirements for authorizing retailers to reflect changes in federal requirements and agency policy.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.70.120 Federal programs—Rules.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: In order to continue to receive federal funding, Washington state rules may need to be updated to be in compliance with federal recontracting regulations, to align state and federal rules for vendor compliance, and to maximize agency options for determining participant access. These updates and changes are intended to provide a solid foundation for upcoming WIC modernization, including fulfilling federal directives to implement an electronic benefit transfer system for WIC.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department of health is the only Washington state agency that regulates the WIC nutrition program. Rules currently in place need to be updated to reflect revised federal and program requirements.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative rule making.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. A communication plan will be developed. Working closely with the WIC retailer advisory committee, statewide opportunities for stakeholder input will be identified. WIC will also seek stakeholder input using existing, regularly scheduled electronic communications including the agency WIC E-Bulletin, the Q-WIC communication bulletin, and the clinic services advisory committee newsletter and other relevant communication sources. Contact Margaret Hansen, Washington State Department of Health, P.O. Box 47886, Olympia, WA 98504-7886, e-mail margaret.hansen@doh.wa.gov, phone (360) 236-3763, fax (360) 236-2345.

November 27, 2013

John Wiesman, DrPh, MPH

Secretary