WSR 17-03-114

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed January 17, 2017, 2:28 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revisions to chapter 170-290 WAC, Working connections and seasonal child care subsidy programs. Specific subjects may include, but are not limited to, subsidy rates, subsidized child care providers' responsibilities, and audit procedures.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.215.060, 43.215.070, chapter 43.215 RCW.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department of early learning (DEL) must amend subsidy program rules to incorporate changes to base rates as well as days for which a provider may receive payment when child care is not provided. Subsidy program rules will also be amended to better clarify audit procedures. Amendments are necessary to incorporate changes negotiated between Washington state and SEIU Local 925, representative of family child care licensees, in 2017-19 collective bargaining agreement. (Rule making is contingent upon the CBA being funded in the state's 2017-19 operating budget.)

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: DEL plans to coordinate rule development with the Washington state department of social and health services, with whom DEL partners with to administer the working connections child care and seasonal child care subsidy programs.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making; and to the extent practicable, DEL intends to seek stakeholder and public input during the rule drafting and development process. At a later date, DEL will file proposed rules, hold a public hearing(s), and accept written comments before adopting permanent rules.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Individuals and organizations wishing to receive draft and proposed materials may join a DEL rules mailing list by contacting the DEL rules coordinator at rules@del.wa.gov, fax (360) 725-4925, or by writing to Rules Coordinator, DEL, P.O. Box 49070, Olympia, WA 98504-0970.

January 17, 2017

Lori Anderson

Rules Coordinator