WSR 10-10-074

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed May 3, 2010, 8:40 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department plans to amend rules in chapter 388-444 WAC and related rules on food stamp employment and training (FSET or E&T).

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.057, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 74.08A.903, 74.04.500, and 74.04.515.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is proposing to amend rules under chapter 388-444 WAC, Food stamp employment and training, to:


     •     Change the program name from "food stamp employment and training" to "Basic Food employment and training" or BFET;

     •     Define which Basic Food recipients are mandatory BFET participants;

     •     Define which Basic Food recipients can volunteer for BFET activities; and

     •     Align rules with federal regulations on E&T requirements and conform with Washington's employment and training state plan for federal fiscal year 2011.

     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) enforces the provisions of the federal supplemental nutrition assistance program as enacted in the 2008 Food and Nutrition Act and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations. The department will develop amendments to Basic Food employment and training rules that are consistent with the act, federal regulations, and our approved Basic Food employment and training 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. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal 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 Robert L. Thibodeau, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45440, Olympia, WA 98504-5440, phone (360) 725-4634, fax (360) 725-4905.

April 29, 2010

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

© Washington State Code Reviser's Office