Subject of Possible Rule Making: The division of child support (DCS) is proposing to amend WAC 388-14A-4900 and other related rules as may be required to implement SB 5842 as enacted during the 2024 legislative session (chapter 126, Laws of 2024), and make other changes as may be necessary. SB 5842 amends RCW 26.23.037 with respect to DCS minimizing the use of Social Security numbers reported directly to DCS by insurance companies.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 26.23.110, 74.08.090, 74.20A.055; and SHB 1416 (section 5, chapter 168, Laws of 2021).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: An amendment to WAC 388-14A-4900 is necessary to implement this legislation. DCS has a strong interest in providing relevant guidance and procedures for insurance companies to comply with the reporting requirements of RCW 26.23.037. Other proposed changes are to update the name of the federal child support agency from Office of Child Support Enforcement to Office of Child Support Services.

Process for Developing New Rule: DCS engages in modified collaborative rule making. Those persons wishing to participate in developing the new rules are encouraged to contact Monica Turnbaugh at the department of social and health services (DSHS) DCS headquarters as soon as possible. DCS will post information regarding this rule development project and others on its website, which can be found at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support, or on the DSHS economic services administration's policy review website, which can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/extpolicy/. Rule-making forms and draft rules may also be found on the DSHS Filings and Rules page at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-of-the-secretary/filings-and-rulings.

DSHS/DCS encourages the public to take part in developing rules. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and will send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and to anyone else who requests a copy.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Monica Turnbaugh, Rules Coordinator, DCS, P.O. Box 9162, Mailstop 45860, Olympia, WA 98507-9162, phone 360-664-5339, fax 360-664-5342, TTY 1-800-833-6384, email Monica.Turnbaugh@dshs.wa.gov.