PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-273-0025 Benefits you receive as a WTAP participant, 388-273-0030 How you can apply for WTAP, and 388-273-0035 What we reimburse the local telephone company.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090, 80.36.440, chapter 134, Laws of 2003.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The Community Services Division is amending Washington telephone assistance program (WTAP) rules to: Clarify the payment limits for reimbursable services, and streamline the billing process. The amendment also adds community service voice mail as a WTAP benefit as provided for by 2003 legislative session (chapter 134, Laws of 2003) effective July 1, 2003.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, and Washington Community, Trade and Economic Development representatives from DSHS and the two agencies have met and discussed these changes several times in the past two months. The rule amendments will be coordinated with these agencies.
Process for Developing New Rule: A CR-103 emergency rule was filed under WSR 03-12-057 on May 30, 2003, with an effective date of June 1, 2003. The rule language has been sent to all stakeholders with a letter requesting comments. We will notify all interested parties of the scheduled hearing to adopt rules. Comments and information on how to participate are available by contacting the DSHS representative below.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Grace Moy, Program Manager, Department of Social and Health Services, Washington Telephone Assistance Program, P.O. Box 45413, Olympia, WA 98504-5413, phone (360) 725-4751, fax (360) 413-3479, e-mail moygc@dshs.wa.gov.
June 11, 2003
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit