Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.12.340, 74.04.050, 74.04.055, and 74.08.090.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To establish into rule the Department of Social and Health Services maximum child care subsidy rates. The rule will set a standard for what the Department of Social and Health Services child care subsidy programs are able to pay and when exceptions are made to that rate.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Social and Health Services welcomes the public to take part in developing the rule. Anyone interested in participating should contact the staff person indicated below. After the rule is drafted, the Department of Social and Health Services will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and 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 Sally Reigel, Program Manager, P.O. Box 45700, Olympia, WA 98507, phone (360) 902-8046, TTY (360) 902-7906, FAX (360) 902-7903, e-mail REIS300@DSHS.WA.GOV.

June 16, 1998

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit