Original Notice.

     Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 04-19-130.

     Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The Division of Child Support (DCS) is amending WAC 388-14A-3350 Are there any limits on how much back support the division of child support can seek to establish?

     Hearing Location(s): Office Building 2, Auditorium, DSHS Headquarters Building, 1115 Washington, Olympia, WA 98504 (public parking at 11th and Jefferson), on June 21, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.

     Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than June 22, 2005.

     Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., June 21, 2005.

     Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by June 17, 2005, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097.

     Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: Traditionally, DCS has started a claim for child support as of the date DCS received the nonassistance application for services. This approach works fine for a case where the custodial parent (CP) applies directly to DCS for child support services. However, DCS believes that this rule works a hardship on the CP where the CP applies to another child support agency (another state, country or Indian tribe), and the CP must wait for the other agency to refer the case to DCS for support establishment. DCS believes it is appropriate to start the nonassistance claim as of the date the CP applied for services, not as of the date DCS receives an application filed with another agency.

     Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.310, and 74.20A.055.

     Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.20A.055.

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

     Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.

     Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Nancy Koptur, DCS HQ, P.O. Box 9162, Olympia, WA 98507-9162, (360) 664-5065.

     No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses. It only affects individuals who have support obligations or individuals who are owed child support.

     A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The rule does meet the definition of a significant legislative rule but DSHS/DCS is exempt from preparing further analysis under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii).

May 11, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

     (a) DCS receives the application for nonassistance services if the CP applies directly to DCS for services; or

     (b) Another state or Indian tribe received the application for nonassistance services or the actual date the other state or tribe requests that child support start, whichever is later, if the other state or Indian tribe requests DCS to establish a support order.

     (2) This section does not limit in any way the right of the court to order payment for back support as provided in RCW 26.26.130 and 26.26.134 if the case requires paternity establishment.

     (((2))) (3) When another state or an Indian tribe is paying public assistance to the CP and children, DCS starts the claim for support as of the date specified by the other state or tribe.

     (((3))) (4) For the notice and finding of parental responsibility, WAC 388-14A-3120(9) limits the back support obligation.

     (((4))) (5) When the state of Washington is paying public assistance to the CP and/or the children, the following rules apply:

     (a) For support obligations owed for months on or after September 1, 1979, DCS must exercise reasonable efforts to locate the noncustodial parent (NCP);

     (b) DCS serves a notice and finding of financial or parental responsibility within sixty days of the date the state assumes responsibility for the support of a dependent child on whose behalf support is sought;

     (c) If DCS does not serve the notice within sixty days, DCS loses the right to reimbursement of public assistance payments made after the sixtieth day and before the notice is served;

     (d) DCS does not lose the right to reimbursement of public assistance payments for any period of time:

     (i) During which DCS exercised reasonable efforts to locate the NCP; or

     (ii) For sixty days after the date on which DCS received an acknowledgment of paternity for the child for whom the state has assumed responsibility, and paternity has not been established.

     (((5))) (6) The limitation in subsection (((4))) (5) does not apply to:

     (a) Cases in which the physical custodian is claiming good cause for not cooperating with the department; and

     (b) Cases where parentage is an issue and:

     (i) Has not been established by superior court order; or

     (ii) Is not the subject of a presumption under RCW 26.26.320.

     (((6))) (7) DCS considers a prorated share of each monthly public assistance payment as paid on each day of the month.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 34.05.310 (4)(d) and 74.20A.055. 03-20-072, § 388-14A-3350, filed 9/29/03, effective 10/30/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 74.20A.055. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3350, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-045.]

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