WSR 11-17-137

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed August 24, 2011, 8:58 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: DSHS is proposing to create a new chapter within TITLE 388 WAC to create new rules regarding the interaction between the state of Washington and tribal programs under Title IV-A of the federal Social Security Act, as required by RCW 74.08A.040.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08A.040.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department is proposing to adopt rules under RCW 74.08A.040 to set out the procedures and processes that apply to the operation of RCW 74.08A.040 and 74.08A.050, covering at a minimum the appropriate uses of state maintenance of effort (MOE) funds and annual reports on program operations. These amendments are necessary to adopt these rules so the department and the eligible tribes within Washington state upon approval of a tribal TANF by the secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services have a clear understanding of what is required.

     Process for Developing New Rule: In addition to working with tribes through the economic services administration (ESA) subcommittee of the Indian policy advisory committee, and in addition to the consultation process required under DSHS Administrative Policy 7.01, DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing rules. Anyone interested in the development of these rules should contact the staff person identified below. DSHS will post information regarding this rule development project and others on the DSHS/ESA's policy review web site, which can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/extpolicy/

     DSHS/ESA encourages the public to take part in developing the rules. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and will send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and to anyone else 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 Mike Mowrey, Tribal Relations Program Administrator - TANF, Community Services Division, Department of Social and Health Services, Economic Services Administration, P.O. Box 45857, Olympia, WA 98504-5857, phone (360) 725-4656, fax (360) 413-3123, e-mail Michael.Mowrey@dshs.wa.gov.

August 23, 2011

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

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