PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department plans to amend rules in chapter 388-446 WAC related to fraud and disqualification penalties for department programs and chapter 388-464 WAC regarding requirements to cooperate with the quality assurance review process.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.500, 74.04.510, 74.08.090.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department must adopt rules to be consistent with federal regulations for food stamps and the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program. The amendments will update program language and clarify the impact of fraudulent actions or failure to cooperate with the quality assurance process.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) publishes federal regulations for the food stamp program in the federal register. Rules published in the federal register are incorporated into the United States Code of Federal Regulations. FNS also issues administrative notices to inform states of new program requirements that are not yet in the United States Code of Federal Regulations. DSHS incorporates these regulations and exercises state options by adopting administrative rules for food assistance benefits in Washington state. Rules for the TANF program are based upon regulations published by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the Revised Code of Washington, and the department's TANF state plan.
Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the Office of the Code Reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the draft will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone 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 Amber Gillum, Policy Analyst, Division of Employment and Assistance Programs, Lacey Government Center, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-4570, phone (360) 413-3089, fax (360) 413-3493, e-mail GILLUAE@DSHS.WA.GOV.
December 2, 2003
Brian H. Lindgren, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit