WSR 01-22-111

PROPOSED RULES

DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY,

TRADE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

[ Filed November 7, 2001, 11:56 a.m. ]

     Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 01-03-029.

     Title of Rule: Developmental disabilities endowment trust fund.

     Purpose: To establish the rules governing the developmental disabilities endowment fund as directed in RCW 43.330.240.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 43.330.240.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 43.330.195 through 43.330.240.

     Summary: These rules will govern the developmental disabilities endowment fund.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: These rules are necessary for the endowment fund to begin operations.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Jeanne Marie Thomas, 906 Columbia Street S.W., Olympia, WA 98504-8350, (360) 725-2862.

     Name of Proponent: Developmental Disabilities Endowment Fund Governing Board, governmental.

     Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.

     Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: These rules will govern the developmental disabilities endowment fund. These rules establish eligibility requirements, matching policies, dispute processes and other essential aspects of the endowment fund.

     Proposal does not change existing rules.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. These proposed rules do not have an economic impact on small businesses.

     Section 201, chapter 403, Laws of 1995, does not apply to this rule adoption. The rules do not meet the definition of a significant legislative rule.

     Hearing Location: Spokane Community College, 810 North Greene Street, Spokane, WA 99217-5399, on December 13, 2001, at 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.; and at Tacoma Community College, 6501 South 19th Street, Tacoma, WA 98466, on December 17, 2001, at 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Rick Torrance by December 6, 2001, TDD (360) 586-4224, or (360) 725-2851.

     Submit Written Comments to: Rick Torrance, Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, 906 Columbia Street S.W., P.O. Box 48350, Olympia, WA 98504-8350, fax (360) 586-0489, richardt@cted.wa.gov, by December 17, 2001.

     Date of Intended Adoption: January 7, 2002.

November 5, 2001

Martha Choe

Director

Chapter 365-220 WAC

DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES ENDOWMENT TRUST FUND

GENERAL
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-005   What is the purpose and scope of this chapter?   The purpose of this chapter is to establish the rules for the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund to implement RCW 43.330.195 through RCW 43.330.240.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-010   May a member of the public appear before the Governing Board?   Members of the public may appear before the Governing Board at their regularly scheduled meetings or submit written comments to the Governing Board for consideration at their regularly scheduled meetings. Requests for meeting schedules and agendas should be made to the Program Manager.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-015   What definitions apply to this chapter?   "Beneficiary" means a person for whom an individual trust account has been established within the Endowment Fund. Beneficiaries must reside in Washington State at the time of enrollment. Beneficiaries must meet the Washington State definition of developmental disability in R.C.W. 71A.10.020(3), as determined by a representative of the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Social and Health Services.

     "Department" means the Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development, Office of Community Development.

     "Disbursement Manager" means the person or persons designated by the Governing Board who must authorize all disbursements from the Endowment Fund. The Disbursement Manager will consider the disbursement plan filed by the primary donor when making decisions regarding disbursements. The Disbursement Manager is obligated to take into account how any individual disbursement will affect the ability of the account to sustain the needed disbursements over the lifetime of the beneficiary.

     "Disbursement Plan" means a plan, submitted by the primary donor at the time of enrollment, that identifies the goods or services most likely to be appropriate to the supplemental needs of the Beneficiary. The primary donor may periodically change this by amending the joinder agreement.

     "Disposition Plan" means a plan, submitted by the primary donor at the time of enrollment that directs how funds will be disbursed upon the death of the beneficiary.

     "Governing Board" means the seven-member group established to design and administer the Endowment Fund, according to RCW 43.330.210

     "Individual Trust Account" means an account established within the Endowment Trust Fund for an individual beneficiary.

     "Joinder Agreement" means an agreement establishing the primary donor's consent to the master trust document for the Endowment Fund. This includes the disbursement plan and the disposition plan, and designates the primary representative and additional persons authorized to request disbursements.

     "Primary Donor" means the person who sets up an account for a beneficiary and submits and signs the joinder agreement. The primary donor may be the beneficiary.

     "Primary Representative" means the person named in the joinder agreement with whom the Governing Board and/or the Disbursement Manager is authorized to communicate regarding an individual beneficiary's interests.

     "Program Manager" means the person designated by the Department to manage the Developmental Disabilties Endowment Fund and act as the Department liaison with other state agencies to facilitate Governing Board activities.

     "Resident" means a person who lives in the state of Washington. For purposes of the Endowment Fund, a beneficiary must be a resident.

     "Vesting" means to become qualified for matching funds.

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     Reviser's note: The spelling error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.DISBURSEMENTS
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-020   Who authorizes disbursements?   The Disbursement Manager will review all disbursement requests. Only the Disbursement Manager may authorize disbursements.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-025   What types of disbursements are allowed?   Recommended services and supports include, but are not limited to:

     1. Education, information, and training opportunities

     2. Living arrangements, including personal assistance services, skill building, financial management, medical monitoring, meal preparation, shopping, home maintenance, and house cleaning

     3. Unusual or extraordinary disability-related shelter expenses

     4. Capital expenses, including environmental modifications and transportation

     5. Employment supports and tuition

     6. Social productivity and personal fulfillment activities, such as volunteering, club membership, and recreation

     7. Assistive technology, including computers and electronic equipment

     8. Clothing, including specialized clothing

     9. Respite care

     10. Disability-related support groups

     11. Medical care, counseling, therapies, and other health related services, including alternative practitioners

     12. Utility and transportation costs

     13. Vacation, travel, and recreation

     14. Birthday and holiday presents

     15. Advocacy and legal services

     16. Individual trust account fees including enrollment, bookkeeping, tax filing and annual management expenses

     17. Items the Disbursement Manager deems appropriate and reasonable

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-030   Who may request disbursements on behalf of the beneficiary?   The primary representative and any additional persons designated by the primary donor in the joinder agreement may make disbursement requests on behalf of the beneficiary. The primary donor may amend this part of the joinder agreement.

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DISPOSITION PLAN
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-035   What happens to an account when the beneficiary dies?   At the time of enrollment, the primary donor will indicate how any remaining private funds, and any associated earnings, will be distributed upon the death of the beneficiary. The primary donor will indicate the amount of funds to be disbursed and to whom they will be disbursed. In some cases, state and federal law may determine what happens to remaining funds. When applicable, this will be indicated in the joinder agreement.

     When an individual account is closed upon the death of the beneficiary, the matching portion and any related interest will be returned to the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-040   Can the Disposition Plan be changed?   No. Once an individual trust account is funded, the individuals or organizations that are listed in the disposition plan cannot be changed.

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DISPUTES
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-045   What decisions may be appealed?   Primary donors or primary representatives may appeal Governing Board decisions, or decisions made on the Governing Board's behalf, regarding enrollment, account closure, disbursement decisions, extensions related to matching funds, and access to matching funds. For decisions made by contracting agencies or individuals, the dispute must first be addressed through the agency's or individual's dispute process.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-050   What is the dispute process?   (1) To appeal a Board decision, a primary donor or primary representative must send a letter addressed to the Program Manager at the Department. The letter of appeal must be signed by the appealing party and be received by the Program Manager within thirty calendar days of the date of the decision. The letter must include:

     (a) The name and mailing address of the appealing party;

     (b) A description of the decision being appealed; and

     (c) A statement explaining why the appealing party believes the decision was incorrect, outlining the facts surrounding the decision and including supporting documentation.

     (2) Upon receiving the letter of appeal, the Program Manager will send notification to the appealing party, confirming the appeal has been received and indicating when a decision can be expected.

     (3) The Governing Board or its designee will conduct appeals according to RCW 34.05.485. The Governing Board or its designee will review and decide the appeal based on the submitted documents unless the Governing Board or its designee and the appealing party agree to hold a hearing in person or by telephone.

     (4) The Program Manager will send the appealing party written notification of the Governing Board or its designee's initial decision within sixty days of receiving the letter of appeal. The notification will include the reasons for the initial decision, and instructions on further appeal rights.

     (5) The initial decision of the Governing Board or its designee becomes the final decision unless the Program Manager receives a request for a review hearing from the appealing party within thirty days of the date of the decision. The appealing party may request review of the initial decision in writing. The person requesting review must reference the initial decision and provide any additional written information that the appealing party would like considered in the review. A review officer designated by the Governing Board will review the decision through a hearing conducted under RCW 34.05.488 through RCW 34.05.494.

     (6) The officer will review and decide the appeal based on submitted documents unless the Governing Board or its designee and the appealing party agree to hold a hearing in person or by telephone.

     (7) The review officer will make any inquiries necessary to determine whether the proceeding must become a formal adjudicative proceeding under the provisions of chapter 34.05 RCW.

     (8) If the appealing party disagrees with a review decision under subsection (6) of this section, the appealing party may request judicial review of the decision, as provided for in RCW 34.05.542. Request for judicial review must be filed with the court within thirty days of service of the final agency decision.

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ELIGIBILITY
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-055   Who is eligible to be a beneficiary in the Endowment Fund?   Beneficiaries must reside in Washington State at the time of enrollment. Beneficiaries must meet the Washington State definition of developmental disability in Revised Code of Washington 71A.10.020(3).

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-060   How is eligibility determined?   All beneficiaries must be determined to meet the definition of developmental disability in Revised Code of Washington 71A.10.020(3) by a representative of the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Social and Health Services. The primary donor must make arrangements for notification of this determination to be sent to the Endowment Fund office.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-065   What happens if a beneficiary moves out of the State of Washington?   If the beneficiary moves out of the State of Washington, the Fund will offer two options:


A The balance of the account will be placed in another existing special needs trust. Any costs relating to the transfer will be charged to the beneficiary's account.

-OR-

B The account will remain open, and the account will be assessed fees at a level that will support all costs of maintaining the account. The beneficiary will no longer be eligible for the state match.

     The primary donor is required to notify the Disbursement Manager if the beneficiary moves out of the State of Washington.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-070   What happens if a beneficiary is determined to no longer meet the Washington State definition of developmental disability in Revised Code of Washington 71A.10.020(3)?   If the beneficiary is determined to no longer meet the definition of developmental disability in Revised Code of Washington 71A.10.020, the Endowment Fund will offer two options:


A The balance of the account will be placed in another existing special needs trust. Any costs relating to the transfer will be charged to the beneficiary's account.

-OR-

B The account will remain open, and the account will be assessed fees at a level that will support all costs of maintaining the account. The beneficiary will no longer be eligible for the state match.

     The primary donor is required to notify a representative of the Endowment Fund if the beneficiary is found to no longer meet the definition of developmental disability in Revised Code of Washington 71A.10.020.

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FEES
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-075   What fees must be paid to participate in the Endowment Fund?   The following fees may be charged by entities or individuals associated with the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund as a condition of participation:

     1. State Investment Board Fees

     All investment and operating costs associated with the investment of money shall be paid to the State Investment Board from the earnings of the Fund, as required by RCW 43.33A.160.

     2. State Treasurer Fees

     Fees charged for the services of the State Treasurer will not exceed .00274% per day while funds remain in the custody of the State Treasurer, as specified in RCW 43.08.190.

     3. Annual Management Fees

     An annual management fee will be charged to each account for services including bookkeeping, tax filing, banking services, Governing Board and Department activities, legal services, and other expenses deemed necessary by the Governing Board. The Governing Board shall authorize all changes in the annual management fees, and primary representatives will be notified sixty days in advance of the effective date of any changes in the annual management fees.

     4. Enrollment Fees

     Each individual trust account will be charged a $600 enrollment fee. A minimum of $200 of this fee will be due at the time of enrollment. The Governing Board shall authorize all changes in the enrollment fees, and primary representatives will be notified sixty days in advance of the effective date of any changes in Enrollment fees.

     5. Disbursement Manager Fees

     Fees for disbursement manager services will be charged privately according to the terms of the contract between the Disbursement Manager and the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Trust Fund. Current fee levels will be disclosed prior to enrollment. The Governing Board shall authorize all changes in the disbursement manager fees, and primary representatives will be notified sixty days in advance of the effective date of any changes in disbursement manager fees.

     6. Tax Filing Fees

     When needed, the costs associated with filing taxes for individual accounts will be deducted from those accounts. Current fee levels will be disclosed prior to enrollment. The Governing Board shall authorize all changes in tax filing fees, and primary representatives will be notified sixty days in advance of the effective date of any changes in tax filing fees.

     7. Fees for Locating Recipients Named in the Disposition Plan

     The Endowment Fund reserves the right to charge fees to cover the costs associated with locating any parties named as recipients in the disposition plan.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-080   Is it possible to be placed on the list for matching funds, and delay payment of the enrollment fees?   Yes. For the first 100 people who request delayed enrollment and meet all eligibility requirements, matching funds will be reserved for one year, or until $200 of the enrollment fee is paid, whichever is earlier. Reserved slots for delayed enrollment fees will be awarded on a first come, first served basis.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-085   Are fees refundable?   No. Fees are not refundable.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-090   What happens when fees are past due?   Accounts with fees that are not paid for a period of 90 days will be closed. The primary representative of an account will be notified 30 days before that account is closed due to outstanding fees.

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TRANSFERRING ACCOUNTS
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-095   When and how may individual accounts be transferred?   A primary representative may request Governing Board approval for a transfer of an account to another special needs trust. This must be done through written correspondence to the Governing Board stating the reasons for the request. The Governing Board shall review all requests for transfers. Only the Governing Board or its designee may approve transfers.

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MATCHING MONEY AND EARNINGS
NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-100   Are there any guarantees related to the availability of matching money or earnings on investments?   No. There is no guarantee that any account will receive matching money from the State of Washington or from any other source. This is dependent on the availability of matching money in the Endowment Fund. The Governing Board will determine availability.

     The State of Washington and the Developmental Disabilities Endowment Governing Board make no guarantee related to the return on investments of money placed in the individual accounts or in the Endowment Fund.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-105   Who establishes matching policies?   All matching polices are established by the Governing Board.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-110   How will access to matching funds be determined?   Matching funds are limited. Beneficiaries will be assigned access to matching funds on a first come, first served basis.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-115   How do participants qualify for the match?   Participants must maintain active participation for a minimum of three years in order to be qualified for the match. If withdrawals are made during this time that bring the account under the required vesting schedule, the account will be considered inactive. Accounts must remain active in order to continue to qualify for the match.

     Once earned, the match will be allocated with interest based on the date of the first contribution to a qualified account.

     Accounts do not need to vest in order to be qualified for the enrollment match or the annual management fee match.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-120   What is the definition of 'active participation'?   Active participation is defined as $300.00 of cumulative contributions into the fund each year, for three consecutive years. This may be accomplished through monthly, yearly, or one time only payments. Payments can not be credited for past years during which active participation was not maintained.

     Below are three examples of accounts with cumulative totals that would qualify as active accounts for each of the three years represented:

YEAR ACCOUNT #1 CONTRIBUTIONS ACCOUNT #2 CONTRIBUTIONS ACCOUNT #3 CONTRIBUTIONS
Year 1 $300.00 $600.00 $900.00
Year 2 $300.00 0 0
Year 3 $300.00 $300.00 0

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-125   What happens when an account becomes inactive?   When an account becomes inactive, it is no longer qualified to earn the match. The primary representative of an account will be notified at least thirty days before that account ceases to earn the match due to the account becoming inactive.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-130   Are there time limits for earning the match?   As long as an individual meets the criteria for an active account, and has qualified for the match, the account can continue to earn the match for as long as it takes to earn the lifetime maximum.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-135   Are extensions allowed?   One twelve-month extension may be granted to extend the time to become qualified for the match or to maintain active status in order to earn the match. To obtain the extension, a written request must be made to the Governing Board.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-140   What is the matching rate?   The state match rate is 25%, applied to the annual and lifetime maximums.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-145   What is the maximum annual contribution eligible for state matching money?   The maximum allowable annual contributions eligible for state matching dollars is $3,100.00. The maximum annual state match available for each beneficiary is $750.00. The state match is based on the amount of a contribution, and does not take into account any return on the investment of the contributions. The enrollment match and the annual management fee match do not apply to the maximum annual state match available for each beneficiary.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-150   What is the maximum lifetime contribution eligible for state matching money?   The maximum allowable lifetime contributions eligible for state matching dollars is $31,000.00. The maximum lifetime state match available for each beneficiary is $7,750.00. The state match is based on the amount of a contribution, and will not take into account any return on the investment of the contributions. The enrollment match and the annual management fee match do not apply to the maximum lifetime state match available for each beneficiary.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-155   Is there a limit on individual savings?   There is no limit on individual savings; there is only a limit on the amount the state will match.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-160   May donors make lump sum contributions?   Private contributions may be deposited each month, or in one or more lump sums. The match will occur annually, and it will be based on the cumulative unmatched contribution in the account to date. (The calculation of the match does not consider interest earned on contributions.)

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-165   How many accounts for each beneficiary are eligible to receive the match?   Each beneficiary may have only one account that is eligible for the match. Additional accounts may be established, but will not be eligible for the match unless the first account is closed. If the account earning the match is closed, another account may be eligible for the match, as allowed in WAC 365-220-170.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-170   For beneficiaries with multiple accounts, how is it determined which account is eligible for the match?   For beneficiaries with multiple accounts, the match will be applied to the first account opened. If the first account opened is later closed and the beneficiary has not received the maximum lifetime match, the next account opened for that beneficiary will be eligible for the maximum lifetime match less the amount of matching funds already received by that beneficiary.

     If a beneficiary has multiple accounts, and if an account for which they have vested is closed, vesting and access to the match are automatically transferred to the next earliest account opened for that beneficiary.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-175   In what proportion is the match spent?   For every disbursement made from an account, the amount of matching funds spent will be equal to the percentage of matching funds in the account multiplied by the amount of the disbursement.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-180   What is the enrollment match?   After $200 of the enrollment fee is paid, the enrollment fee will be matched dollar for dollar for accounts with access to matching funds. The maximum enrollment match is $400 per beneficiary. Vesting requirements do not apply to the enrollment match. Matching funds allocated for this purpose will not count against the beneficiary's maximum lifetime match. Matching funds allocated for this purpose will not count against the beneficiary's maximum annual match.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 365-220-185   What is the management fee match?   For every dollar the annual management fee exceeds $500 or 2% of the balance of the account, whichever is smaller, the account will be matched with a dollar. Vesting requirements do not apply to the management fee match. Matching funds allocated for this purpose will not count against the beneficiary's maximum lifetime match. Matching funds allocated for this purpose will not count against the beneficiary's maximum annual match.

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