Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: The DSHS division of child support (DCS) is adopting new rules and amending existing sections in chapter 388-14A WAC to implement changes in the federal regulations concerning establishing and enforcing intergovernmental child support obligations. The federal rules being implemented in this rule-making order are 45 C.F.R. Parts 301.1, 302.35, 302.36, 303.3, 303.7, 303.11, 303.20, 305.63, 307.13, and 308.2.

     DCS filed emergency rules with an effective date of March 31, 2011, under WSR 11-08-020; DCS filed a second emergency rule package under WSR 11-16-006, effective July 30, 2011, in order to maintain the status quo until after this CR-103P, Rule-making order, is filed and the thirty-day period required under RCW 34.08.380(2) has run.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: New sections WAC 388-14A-2081 Under what circumstances can DCS close a case when the application for services was made directly to DCS? and 388-14A-2083 Under what circumstances can DCS close an intergovernmental case, otherwise known as a case where the application for services was originally made to another state, tribe, territory or country?; and amending WAC 388-14A-2080 Once DCS opens a support enforcement case, under what circumstances can it be closed?, 388-14A-2085 Under what circumstances may DCS ((deny)) keep a support enforcement case open despite a request to close ((a support enforcement case)) it?, 388-14A-2090 Who ((is mailed)) receives notice ((of DCS' intent to close)) when DCS closes a case?, 388-14A-2097 What happens to payments that come in after a case is closed?, 388-14A-2160 ((If my information is confidential, can)) On what authority does DCS ((report me to)) share my confidential information with a credit bureau?, 388-14A-3130 What happens if a ((parent)) party makes a timely request for hearing on a support establishment notice?, 388-14A-3302 How does the division of child support decide what notice to serve when there is already an existing order for child support?, 388-14A-3304 The division of child support may serve a notice of support debt and demand for payment when it is enforcing a support order issued in Washington state, a foreign court order or a foreign administrative order for support, 388-14A-3305 What can I do if I disagree with a notice of support debt and demand for payment?, 388-14A-3306 Does a notice of support debt and demand for payment result in a final determination of support arrears?, 388-14A-3307 How does the division of child support proceed when there are multiple child support orders for the same obligor and children?, 388-14A-3310 What notice does the division of child support serve to establish a fixed dollar amount under an existing child support order?, 388-14A-7100 The division of child support may register an order from another state for enforcement or modification, 388-14A-7110 The division of child support may ((assess and collect)) enforce interest on amounts owed under support orders entered or established in a jurisdiction other than Washington state, 388-14A-7115 Are there special rules for a hearing on a notice seeking to ((assess and collect)) enforce interest on a support order?, 388-14A-7120 When does DCS update the interest ((assessed)) on a case for enforcement?, 388-14A-7305 How ((do I)) does a party, IV-D agency or jurisdiction ask ((DCS to do)) for a determination of controlling order?, 388-14A-7325 How does DCS notify the parties ((of its)) that a determination of the controlling order ((has been)) is going to be made?, and 388-14A-7335 What happens if someone objects to ((DCS' proposed)) a notice of support debt and registration which contains a determination of the presumed controlling order?

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 26.23.120, 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040(9), 74.20A.310.

     Other Authority: 45 C.F.R. Parts 301.1, 302.35, 302.36, 303.3, 303.7, 303.11, 303.20, 305.63, 307.13, and 308.2.

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 11-18-098 on September 7, 2011.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 2, Amended 19, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 2, Amended 19, Repealed 0.

     Date Adopted: October 31, 2011.

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator

     (1) ((There is no current support order, and the support debt owed by the noncustodial parent (NCP) is less than five hundred dollars, or cannot be enforced under Washington law;)) The circumstances under which the division of child support (DCS) may close a case depend on whether the application for services was made directly to DCS or to another governmental entity.

     (2) ((The NCP or putative (alleged) father is dead with no assets, income or estate available for collection;)) WAC 388-14A-2081 discusses closure of a case when one of the parties submitted an application for support enforcement services directly to DCS, which includes when DCS opened the case as the result of an application for public assistance in the state of Washington.

     (3) ((The NCP has no assets or income available for collection and is not able to provide support during the child's minority because of being:

     (a) Institutionalized in a psychiatric facility;

     (b) Incarcerated without possibility of parole; or

     (c) Medically verified as totally and permanently disabled with no evidence of ability to provide support.

     (4) The applicant, agency or recipient of nonassistance services submits a written request for closure, and there is no current assignment of medical or support rights;

     (5) DCS has enough information to use an automated locate system, and has not been able to locate the NCP after three years of diligent efforts;

     (6) DCS does not have enough information to use an automated locate system, and has not been able to locate the NCP after one year of diligent efforts;

     (7) DCS is unable to contact the applicant, agency or recipient of services for at least sixty days;

     (8) DCS documents failure to cooperate by the custodial parent (CP) or the initiating jurisdiction, and that cooperation is essential for the next step in enforcement;

     (9) DCS cannot obtain a paternity order because:

     (a) The putative father is dead;

     (b) Genetic testing has excluded all putative fathers;

     (c) The child is at least eighteen years old;

     (d) DCS, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that establishing paternity would not be in the best interests of the child in a case involving incest, rape, or pending adoption; or

     (e) The biological father is unknown and cannot be identified after diligent efforts, including at least one interview by DCS or its representative with the recipient of support enforcement services.

     (10) DCS, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that the recipient of services has wrongfully deprived the NCP of physical custody of the child as provided in WAC 388-14A-3370(3);

     (11) DCS, the department of social and health services, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that action to establish or enforce a support obligation cannot occur without a risk of harm to the child or the CP;

     (12) DCS has provided locate-only services in response to a request for state parent locator services (SPLS);

     (13) The NCP is a citizen and resident of a foreign country, and:

     (a) NCP has no assets which can be reached by DCS; and

     (b) The country where NCP resides does not provide reciprocity in child support matters.

     (14) The child is incarcerated or confined to a juvenile rehabilitation facility for a period of ninety days or more; or

     (15) Any other circumstances exist which would allow closure under 45 C.F.R. 303.11 or any other federal statute or regulation)) WAC 388-14A-2083 discusses closure of an intergovernmental case, which is what we call a case where the application for services was made to the child support enforcement agency of another state, tribe, territory, country or political subdivision thereof, which then requested support enforcement services from DCS.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310, 45 CFR 303.11, 45 CFR 303.100. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2080, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-420.]

     (1) There is no current support order, and the support debt owed by the noncustodial parent (NCP) is less than five hundred dollars, or cannot be enforced under Washington law;

     (2) The NCP or putative (alleged) father is dead with no assets, income or estate available for collection;

     (3) The NCP has no assets or income available for collection and is not able to provide support during the child's minority because of being:

     (a) Institutionalized in a psychiatric facility;

     (b) Incarcerated without possibility of parole; or

     (c) Medically verified as totally and permanently disabled with no evidence of ability to provide support.

     (4) The applicant or recipient of nonassistance services submits a written request for closure, and there is no current assignment of medical or support rights;

     (5) DCS has enough information to use an automated locate system, and has not been able to locate the NCP after three years of diligent efforts;

     (6) DCS does not have enough information to use an automated locate system, and has not been able to locate the NCP after one year of diligent efforts;

     (7) DCS is unable to contact the applicant or recipient of services for at least sixty days;

     (8) DCS or the prosecutor documents failure to cooperate by the custodial parent (CP), and that cooperation is essential for the next step in enforcement;

     (9) DCS cannot obtain a paternity order because:

     (a) The putative father is dead;

     (b) Genetic testing has excluded all putative fathers;

     (c) The child is at least eighteen years old;

     (d) DCS, the prosecutor, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that establishing paternity would not be in the best interests of the child in a case involving incest, rape, or pending adoption; or

     (e) The biological father is unknown and cannot be identified after diligent efforts, including at least one interview by DCS or its representative with the recipient of support enforcement services.

     (10) DCS, the prosecutor, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that the recipient of services has wrongfully deprived the NCP of physical custody of the child as provided in WAC 388-14A-3370(3);

     (11) DCS, the prosecutor, the department of social and health services, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that action to establish or enforce a support obligation cannot occur without a risk of harm to the child or the CP;

     (12) DCS has provided locate-only services in response to a request for state parent locator services (SPLS);

     (13) The NCP is a citizen and resident of a foreign country, and:

     (a) NCP has no assets which can be reached by DCS; and

     (b) The country where NCP resides does not provide reciprocity in child support matters.

     (14) The child is incarcerated or confined to a juvenile rehabilitation facility for a period of ninety days or more; or

     (15) Any other circumstances exist which would allow closure under 45 C.F.R. 303.11 or any other federal statute or regulation.

[]

     (a) The state, tribe, territory, country or political subdivision that received the application for services tells DCS that its case is closed.

     (b) The state, tribe, territory, country or political subdivision that received the application for services tells DCS that it no longer wants DCS to provide services.

     (c) DCS documents failure to cooperate by the initiating jurisdiction, and that cooperation is essential for the next step in enforcement.

     (2) DCS calls this type of case an "intergovernmental case."

     (a) The state, tribe, territory, country or political subdivision thereof which referred the case to DCS is called the "initiating jurisdiction."

     (b) In these cases, DCS is the "responding jurisdiction."

[]

     (a) There is a current assignment of support or medical rights on behalf of the children in the case;

     (b) There is accrued debt under a support order which has been assigned to the state;

     (c) Support or medical rights on behalf of the children have previously been assigned to the state; or

     (d) The person who requests closure is not the recipient of support enforcement services((; or

     (e) A superior court order requires payments to the Washington state support registry (WSSR))).

     (2) If DCS is the responding jurisdiction in an intergovernmental case DCS cannot deny a request from the initiating jurisdiction to close the intergovernmental portion of a DCS case.

     (3) If there is no current assignment of support or medical rights, DCS may close the portion of the case which is owed to the custodial parent (CP), but if there is accrued debt under a support order which has been assigned to the state, DCS keeps that portion of the case open.

     (((3))) (4) If a superior court order specifies that the noncustodial parent (NCP) must make payments to the WSSR, but the CP does not want support enforcement services, DCS ((keeps the case open as)) changes the case status to a payment services only (PSO) case, which means that:

     (a) DCS provides payment processing and records maintenance, and

     (b) DCS does not provide enforcement services.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310, 45 CFR 303.11, 45 CFR 303.100. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2085, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-421.]

     (b) DCS does not provide sixty days' prior notice when closing a case under WAC 388-14A-2080(4))) The reason for case closure determines whether the division of child support (DCS):

     (a) Sends a notice of intent to close;

     (b) Sends a notice of case closure; or

     (c) Notifies the other jurisdiction.

     (2) DCS mails a notice of intent to close by regular mail to the last known address of the custodial parent (CP) and the noncustodial parent.

     (3) ((In an interstate case, DCS mails the notice to the CP by regular mail in care of the other state's child support agency)) If DCS is closing a case under WAC 388-14A-2081, DCS sends a notice of intent to close, advising the parties why DCS is closing the case. DCS sends the notice sixty days before closing the case, except:

     (a) DCS sends a notice of case closure but does not send a notice of intent to close when the applicant or recipient of nonassistance services submits a written request for closure, and there is no current assignment of medical or support rights;

     (b) DCS notifies the initiating jurisdiction in an intergovernmental case that DCS has closed the case after the initiating jurisdiction requests case closure; and

     (c) DCS does not send a notice of intent to close or a notice of case closure when:

     (i) DCS, the prosecuting attorney, the department of social and health services, a court of competent jurisdiction or an administrative hearing determines that action to establish or enforce a support obligation cannot occur without a risk of harm to the child or the custodial parent (CP); or

     (ii) DCS has provided locate-only services in response to a request for state parent locator services (SPLS).

     (4) If DCS is the responding jurisdiction and is closing an ((interstate)) intergovernmental case because of noncooperation by the initiating jurisdiction, DCS ((also mails the notice to)) notifies the other ((state's)) jurisdiction's child support agency sixty days before closing the case.

     (5) When DCS is the initiating jurisdiction in an intergovernmental case and DCS closes its case, DCS notifies the responding jurisdiction that DCS has closed its case and provides the reason for closure.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310, 45 CFR 303.11, 45 CFR 303.100. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2090, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-422.]

     (2) If DCS, as the initiating jurisdiction in an intergovernmental case, closed a case without notifying the responding jurisdiction, DCS must attempt to locate the custodial parent (CP) and disburse any payments the CP is entitled to receive.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310, 45 CFR 303.11, 45 CFR 303.100. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2097, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-424.]

     Reviser's note: The typographical error in the above section occurred in the copy filed by the agency and appears in the Register pursuant to the requirements of RCW 34.08.040.
AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 06-06-076, filed 2/28/06, effective 3/31/06)

WAC 388-14A-2160   ((If my information is confidential, can)) On what authority does DCS ((report me to)) share my confidential information with a credit bureau?   (1) ((When a consumer reporting agency, sometimes called a credit bureau, requests information regarding the amount of overdue support owed by a noncustodial parent (NCP), the division of child support (DCS) provides this information)) Under 42 USC §666 (a)(7), the division of child support (DCS) may report to consumer reporting agencies the name and identifying information of any noncustodial parent (NCP) who is delinquent in support and the amount of overdue support owed by that parent. Consumer reporting agencies are sometimes also called credit bureaus.

     (2) ((In addition to responding to requests for information by consumer reporting agencies)) Once DCS has reported an NCP to the credit bureaus, DCS ((reports to those agencies information regarding overdue support owed by an NCP. DCS then)) updates the information on a regular basis as long as DCS continues to enforce the support order, even after the NCP brings the account current.

     (3) Before releasing information to the consumer reporting agency, DCS sends a written notice to the NCP's last known address concerning the proposed release of the information ((to the NCP's last known address)).

     (4) The notice gives the NCP ten days from the date of the notice to request a conference board under WAC 388-14A-6400 to contest the accuracy of the information. If the NCP requests a conference board, DCS does not release the information until a conference board decision has been issued.

     (5) ((A noncustodial parent (NCP))) An NCP who disagrees with the information supplied by DCS to a consumer reporting agency or credit bureau may file a notice of dispute under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, 15 USC 1681.

     (6) DCS reports to credit bureaus according to the requirements of federal IV-D program rules. In interstate or intergovernmental cases, DCS may report:

     (a) As the responding jurisdiction; and

     (b) As the initiating jurisdiction when the responding jurisdiction does not report.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.120, 74.08.090, 74.20A.310. 06-06-076, § 388-14A-2160, filed 2/28/06, effective 3/31/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-2160, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-030 and 388-14-410.]

     (2) If either ((parent)) party makes a timely request for hearing, the division of child support (DCS) submits the hearing request to the office of administrative hearings (OAH) for scheduling.

     (3) OAH sends a notice of hearing by first class mail to all parties at their address last known to DCS, notifying each party of the date, time and place of the hearing. DCS, the noncustodial parent (NCP), and the custodial parent are all parties to the hearing.

     (4) A timely request for hearing stops the support establishment notice from becoming a final order, so DCS cannot collect on the notice. However, in appropriate circumstances, the administrative law judge (ALJ) may enter a temporary support order under WAC 388-14A-3850.

     (5) A hearing on an objection to a support establishment notice is for the limited purpose of resolving the NCP's accrued support debt and current support obligation. The NCP has the burden of proving any defenses to liability.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 02-06-098, § 388-14A-3130, filed 3/4/02, effective 4/4/02; 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3130, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00. Formerly WAC 388-11-135 and 388-11-400.]

     (2) If the support order sets the amount of the support obligation in a sum certain amount, DCS may serve a notice of support debt on the NCP as provided in RCW 74.20A.040 and WAC 388-14A-3304.

     (3) If DCS is registering a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state, DCS may serve a notice of support debt and registration on the NCP, as provided in RCW 26.21A.500, 26.21A.540 and WAC 388-14A-7100.

     (4) Under RCW 26.23.110, DCS may serve a notice of support owed on an NCP or a custodial parent (CP), as appropriate, if the underlying support order:

     (a) Does not state the monthly support obligation as a fixed dollar amount stated in U.S. dollars;

     (b) Contains an escalation clause or adjustment provision for which additional information not contained in the support order is needed to determine the fixed dollar amount of the support debt or the fixed dollar amount of the current and future support obligation, or both;

     (c) Provides that the NCP is responsible for a portion of nonmedical expenses incurred on behalf of the child, but does not reduce the amount owed to a fixed dollar amount; or

     (d) Provides that either the NCP or the custodial parent (CP) must provide medical support as provided under either RCW 26.19.105 or 74.20A.300, but does not reduce the medical support obligation to a fixed dollar amount.

     (5) As of the effective date of this section, DCS does not serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110 to determine the NCP's proportionate share of any nonmedical expenses other than daycare or child care expenses incurred on behalf of the child(ren) covered by the order.

     (6) The fact that an NCP or CP's request that DCS act on his or her claim for unreimbursed nonmedical expenses is rejected by DCS does not mean that the NCP or CP cannot pursue reimbursement of those expenses by proceeding in court.

     (a) If a CP obtains a judgment for unreimbursed nonmedical expenses, DCS may enforce the judgment if the CP qualifies for services under WAC 388-14A-2000.

     (b) If DCS served a notice of support owed to determine the NCP's proportionate share of nonmedical expenses at some time before the effective date of this section and either NCP or CP requests an annual review under RCW 26.23.110, DCS may continue to provide annual reviews for the support order which was the subject of the prior notice of support owed but only for the same nonmedical expenses addressed in the prior notice of support owed.

     (7) See WAC 388-14A-3310 for the general rules for a notice of support owed.

     (a) WAC 388-14A-3311 describes the procedures for service of a notice of support owed to:

     (i) Determine the fixed dollar amount of the support debt or the fixed dollar amount of the current and future support obligation;

     (ii) Implement an escalation clause or adjustment provision;

     (iii) Convert a support order set in foreign currency using the current rate of exchange to fix the amount of support in U.S. dollars; or

     (iv) Determine as a sum certain the NCP's proportionate share of daycare or child care expenses paid by the NCP.

     (b) WAC 388-14A-3312 describes the procedures for service of a notice of support owed to establish a parent's share of medical expenses and/or medical support owed for the child or children covered by a support order.

     (8) WAC 388-14A-3307 discusses how DCS proceeds when DCS decides that a determination of controlling order under chapter 26.21A RCW is required. Under that section, DCS may serve a notice of support debt and registration as provided in WAC 388-14A-7100.

     (9) WAC 388-14A-3315 provides that:

     (a) When DCS serves a notice of support debt or a notice of support owed on the NCP, DCS notifies the CP and the payee under the order, if the CP is not the payee under the order; and

     (b) When DCS serves a notice of support owed under WAC 388-14A-3312 on the CP, DCS notifies the NCP.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.09.105(17), 26.18.170(19), 26.23.050(8), 26.23.110(14), 34.05.020, 34.05.060, 34.05.220, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.055(9), and 74.20A.056(11). 11-12-006, § 388-14A-3302, filed 5/19/11, effective 6/19/11.]

     (a) A "foreign" order is one entered in a jurisdiction other than a Washington state court or administrative forum.

     (b) DCS uses the notice of support debt and demand for payment when there is only one current child support order for the NCP and the children in the case.

     (c) When there are multiple current support orders for the same obligor and children, DCS determines which order to enforce as provided under WAC 388-14A-3307.

     (2) DCS serves a notice of support debt and demand for payment like a summons in a civil action or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

     (3) In a notice of support debt and demand for payment, DCS includes the information required by RCW 74.20A.040, the amount of current and future support, accrued support debt, interest (if interest is being assessed under WAC 388-14A-7110), any health insurance coverage obligation, and any day care costs under the court or administrative order.

     (4) After service of a notice of support debt and demand for payment, the NCP must make all support payments to the Washington state support registry. DCS does not credit payments made to any other party after service of a notice of support debt and demand for payment except as provided in WAC 388-14A-3375.

     (5) A notice of support debt and demand for payment becomes final and subject to immediate wage withholding and enforcement without further notice under chapters 26.18, 26.23, and 74.20A RCW, subject to the terms of the order, unless, within twenty days of service of the notice in Washington, or within sixty days of service of the notice outside of Washington, the NCP:

     (a) Files a request with DCS for a conference board under WAC 388-14A-6400. The effective date of a conference board request is the date DCS receives the request;

     (b) Obtains a stay from the superior court; or

     (c) Objects to either the validity of the foreign support order or the administrative enforcement of the foreign support order, in which case DCS proceeds with registration of the foreign support order under WAC 388-14A-7100.

     (6) ((A notice of support debt and demand for payment served in another state becomes final according to WAC 388-14A-7200)) RCW 26.21A.515 controls the calculation of the debt on a notice of support debt and demand for payment.

     (7) Enforcement of the following are not stayed by a request for a conference board or hearing under this section or WAC 388-14A-6400:

     (a) Current and future support stated in the order; and

     (b) Any portion of the support debt that the NCP and custodial parent (CP) fail to claim is not owed.

     (8) Following service of the notice of support debt and demand for payment on the NCP, DCS mails to the last known address of the CP and/or the payee under the order:

     (a) A copy of the notice of support debt and demand for payment; and

     (b) A notice to payee under WAC 388-14A-3315 regarding the payee's rights to contest the notice of support debt. The CP who is not the payee under the order has the same rights to contest the notice of support debt and demand for payment.

     (9) If the NCP requests a conference board under subsection (5)(a) of this section, DCS mails a copy of the notice of conference board to the CP informing the CP of the CP's right to:

     (a) Participate in the conference board; or

     (b) Request a hearing under WAC 388-14A-3321 within twenty days of the date of a notice of conference board that was mailed to a Washington address. If the notice of conference board was mailed to an out-of-state address, the CP may request a hearing within sixty days of the date of the notice of conference board. The effective date of a hearing request is the date DCS receives the request.

     (10) If the CP requests a hearing under subsection (((9))) (8)(b) of this section, DCS must:

     (a) Stay enforcement of the notice of support debt and demand for payment except as required under subsection (6) of this section; and

     (b) Notify the NCP of the hearing.

     (11) If a CP requests a late hearing under subsection (((8))) (7) of this section, the CP must show good cause for filing the late request.

     (12) The NCP is limited to a conference board to contest the notice and may not request a hearing on a notice of support debt and demand for payment. However, if the CP requests a hearing, the NCP may participate in the hearing.

     (13) A notice of support debt and demand for payment must fully and fairly inform the NCP of the rights and responsibilities in this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-3304, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.21.016, 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310, 26.23.110, and 74.20A.040. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-3304, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3304, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-435.]

     (1) If either party objects to the enforcement of a non-Washington support order, that party may request that DCS register that order under chapter 26.21A RCW. DCS then serves a notice of support debt and registration as provided in WAC ((388-14A-7110)) 388-14A-7100.

     (2) If the noncustodial parent (NCP) objects to the amount of current support or the amount of support debt stated in the notice, the NCP may request a conference board under WAC 388-14A-6400.

     (a) The custodial parent (CP) may participate in the conference board under this section.

     (b) The CP may choose to convert the proceeding to an administrative hearing. The NCP may participate in a hearing held under this section.

     (3) If the custodial parent objects to the amount of current support or the amount of support debt stated in the notice, the CP may request an administrative hearing. The NCP may participate in a hearing held under this section.

     (4) See WAC 388-14A-3304 for a more full description of the hearing process on the notice of support debt and demand for payment.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-3305, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07.]

     (a) The debt determination is not a final determination under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), chapter 26.21A RCW.

     (b) ((Any party may request that a tribunal determine any amounts owed as interest on the support debt)) RCW 26.21A.515 controls in any computation and/or determination of accrued interest on arrearages under the support order.

     (2) The final administrative order comes about by:

     (a) Operation of law if nobody objects to the notice;

     (b) Agreed settlement or consent order under WAC 388-14A-3600;

     (c) Final conference board decision under WAC 388-14A-6400;

     (d) Final administrative order entered after hearing or a party's failure to appear for hearing.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-3306, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07.]

     (1) When not acting as a responding jurisdiction, DCS decides whether or not a determination of controlling order is necessary, and which state has the authority to make a determination of controlling order (DCO) under UIFSA.

     (2) The controlling order is the single order used for prospective enforcement and modification, determined according to the priority scheme set out in the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA).

     (3) Using the criteria listed in RCW 26.21A.130, DCS ((decides)) may decide which child support order it should enforce and ((serves)) may serve a notice of support debt and demand for payment under WAC 388-14A-3304.

     (((2))) (4) ((If DCS decides that a determination of controlling order under chapter 26.21A RCW is required)) When a party objects to enforcement of the order selected for enforcement under subsection (1) of this section, or when the order that DCS decides to enforce is not the order presented by a party or another jurisdiction for enforcement of current support, DCS ((serves)) may serve a notice of support debt and registration as provided in WAC 388-14A-7100.

     (((3))) (5) ((Upon request, DCS may do a determination of controlling order (DCO).

     (a) See)) WAC 388-14A-7305 ((for)) describes how ((you)) either party or the initiating jurisdiction can ask for a DCO.

     (((b) See)) (6) WAC 388-14A-7315 ((for)) describes how DCS decides whether ((or not)) to ((do)) deny a request for a DCO.

     (((4))) (7) If DCS ((does)) reviews the orders in response to a request for a DCO and decides that a Washington order is the presumed controlling order, DCS refers the case to superior court.

     (((5))) (8) If DCS ((does)) reviews the orders in response to a request for a DCO and decides that a non-Washington order is the presumed controlling order, DCS serves a notice of support debt and registration as provided in WAC 388-14A-7325.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-3307, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07.]

     (a) WAC 388-14A-3311 describes the procedures for service of a notice of support owed on the NCP to determine the fixed dollar amount of the support debt or the fixed dollar amount of the current and future support obligation, including:

     (i) The NCP's proportionate share of daycare or child care expenses incurred on behalf of the child(ren); and

     (ii) Converting a support order set in foreign currency using the current rate of exchange to fix the amount of support in U.S. dollars, if necessary; and

     (b) WAC 388-14A-3312 describes the procedures for service of a notice of support owed on either parent to establish that parent's share of medical expenses and/or medical support owed for the child or children covered by a support order.

     (2) The notice of support owed contains an initial finding, showing DCS' calculation of the fixed dollar amount of:

     (a) The current and future support obligation;

     (b) Any support debt owed; or

     (c) Both amounts.

     (3) The notice of support owed facilitates enforcement of the underlying support order by implementing the terms of the order, but it cannot modify the terms of the order.

     (4) The reasons that DCS may serve a notice of support owed include, but are not limited to:

     (a) The underlying support order sets a support obligation but does not state the monthly support obligation as a fixed dollar amount;

     (b) The underlying support order sets a support obligation stated in foreign currency and DCS seeks to convert that amount using the current rate of exchange to fix the amount of support stated in U.S. dollars;

     (c) DCS is implementing the adjustment or escalation provision of a court order;

     (((c))) (d) The support order provides that the NCP is responsible for paying for a portion of daycare or child care expenses incurred on behalf of the child(ren), but does not reduce the amount owed to a fixed dollar amount. DCS serves the notice of support owed to determine the NCP's proportionate share of those expenses; or

     (((d))) (e) The support order provides that either the NCP or the CP must provide medical support as required under either RCW 26.19.105 or 74.20A.300, but does not reduce the medical support obligation to a fixed dollar amount.

     (5) Because of the different purposes for which DCS may serve a notice of support owed under RCW 26.23.110, DCS has developed two separate forms to use for the notice of support owed:

     (a) The basic form used by DCS to establish a fixed dollar amount owed by an NCP under an existing child support order is called the notice of support owed.

     (b) DCS developed a special form called the "notice of support owed - Medical support" which is used only for the following purposes:

     (i) To notify an obligated parent of the obligation to pay a portion of the premium for health insurance provided by the other parent or state of Washington; or

     (ii) To determine a fixed dollar amount for uninsured medical expenses incurred on behalf of the children and to demand payment of the obligated parent's proportionate share when a support order requires the obligated parent to pay a specific percentage of uninsured medical expenses.

     (6) For the purposes of this chapter, the term "notice of support owed" includes "notice of support owed" and "notice of support owed - Medical support."

     (7) DCS serves a notice of support owed on the NCP or the CP, as appropriate, like a summons in a civil action or by certified mail, return receipt requested.

     (8) WAC 388-14A-3315 provides that, when DCS serves a notice of support owed on one party, DCS notifies the other party to the support order by sending a form called the notice to payee, and encloses a copy of the notice that was served.

     (a) After service on the NCP, DCS mails a notice to payee to the CP and to the payee under the order, if the CP is not the payee under the order.

     (b) After service on the CP, DCS mails a notice to payee to the NCP.

     (9) In a notice of support owed, DCS includes:

     (a) The information required by RCW 26.23.110;

     (b) Any provision or factors contained in the underlying order regarding how to calculate the monthly support or the amounts claimed for medical support;

     (c) Any other information not contained in the order that DCS used to calculate the amounts in the notice; and

     (d) Notice of the right to request an annual review of the order or a review on the date given in the order for an annual review, if any. WAC 388-14A-3330 describes the procedures for the annual review of a notice of support owed.

     (10) A notice of support owed fully and fairly informs the parties of the rights and responsibilities in this section.

     (11) After service of a notice of support owed, the recipient of the notice (which could be either the CP or the NCP, as appropriate,) must make all support payments required by the notice to the Washington state support registry (WSSR). DCS does not credit payments made to any other party after service of a notice of support owed except as provided in WAC 388-14A-3375.

     (12) The need to serve a notice of support owed does not require DCS to cease all enforcement actions on a case. At any time, DCS may enforce:

     (a) A fixed or minimum dollar amount for monthly support stated in the court order or a prior administrative order entered under this section;

     (b) Any part of a support debt that has been reduced to a fixed dollar amount by a court or administrative order; and

     (c) Any part of a support debt that neither party claims is incorrect.

     (13) A notice of support owed becomes final and subject to immediate income withholding and enforcement as provided in WAC 388-14A-3316.

     (14) An objection or request for hearing on a notice of support owed may be timely or untimely:

     (a) WAC 388-14A-3317 discusses what happens if a parent makes a timely request for hearing; and

     (b) WAC 388-14A-3318 discusses what happens if a parent makes an untimely request for hearing.

     (15) WAC 388-14A-3320 provides general information regarding an administrative hearing on a notice of support owed.

     (16) WAC 388-14A-3330 provides information regarding the annual review of a notice of support owed.

     (17) For the purposes of this section and WAC 388-14A-3311 through 388-14A-3330, the term "payee" includes "physical custodian," "custodial parent," or "party seeking reimbursement."

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.09.105(17), 26.18.170(19), 26.23.050(8), 26.23.110(14), 34.05.020, 34.05.060, 34.05.220, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.055(9), and 74.20A.056(11). 11-12-006, § 388-14A-3310, filed 5/19/11, effective 6/19/11. Statutory Authority: 2007 c 143, §§ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, and 9. 08-12-029, § 388-14A-3310, filed 5/29/08, effective 7/1/08. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310 and 26.23.110, and 74.20A.040. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-3310, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220(1), 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-3310, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-415.]

     (a) At the option of the division of child support (DCS), the support order or income-withholding order may be registered with the superior court pursuant to RCW 26.21A.505 or it may be registered with the administrative tribunal according to subsection (2) of this section. Either method of registration is valid.

     (b) A support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or jurisdiction is registered when the order is filed with the registering tribunal of this state.

     (c) DCS may enforce a registered order issued in another state or jurisdiction in the same manner and subject to the same procedures as an order issued by a tribunal of this state.

     (d) DCS may assess and collect interest on amounts owed under support orders entered or established in a jurisdiction other than the state of Washington as provided in WAC 388-14A-7110.

     (e) DCS may notify the parties that it is enforcing a non-Washington support order using the notice of support debt and demand for payment under WAC 388-14A-3304 or using the notice of support debt and registration as provided in this section and in WAC 388-14A-7110. Either method of notice is valid.

     (2) DCS must give notice to the nonregistering party when it administratively registers a support order or income-withholding order issued in another state or jurisdiction. DCS gives this notice with the Notice of Support Debt and Registration (NOSDR).

     (a) The notice must inform the nonregistering party:

     (i) That a registered order is enforceable as of the date of registration in the same manner as an order issued by a tribunal of this state;

     (ii) That if a party wants a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order, the party must request a hearing within twenty days after service of the notice on the nonregistering party within Washington state. If the nonregistering party was served with the notice outside of Washington state, the party has sixty days after service of the notice to request a hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order;

     (iii) That failure to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order in a timely manner will result in confirmation of the order and enforcement of the order and the alleged arrearages and precludes further contest of that order with respect to any matter that could have been asserted;

     (iv) Of the amount of any alleged arrearages, including interest, if interest is being assessed under WAC 388-14A-7110; and

     (v) Whether DCS has made a determination of controlling order under chapter 26.21A RCW, as described in WAC 388-14A-7325.

     (b) The notice must be:

     (i) Served on the nonregistering party by certified or registered mail or by any means of personal service authorized by the laws of the state of Washington; and

     (ii) Served on the registering party by first class mail at the last known address; and

     (iii) Accompanied by a copy of the registered order and any documents and relevant information accompanying the order submitted by the registering party.

     (c) The effective date of a request for hearing to contest the validity or enforcement of the registered order is the date DCS receives the request.

     (3) A party or support enforcement agency seeking to modify, or to modify and enforce, a child support order issued in another state or jurisdiction may register the order in this state according to RCW 26.21A.540 through 26.21A.550.

     (a) The order must be registered as provided in subsection (1)(a) if the order has not yet been registered.

     (b) A petition for modification may be filed at the same time as a request for registration, or later. The petition must specify the grounds for modification.

     (c) DCS may enforce a child support order of another state or jurisdiction registered for purposes of modification, as if a tribunal of this state had issued the order, but the registered order may be modified only if the requirements of RCW 26.21A.550 are met.

     (4) Interpretation of the registered order is governed by RCW 26.21A.515.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-7100, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.21.016. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-7100, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.035, 34.05.220, 74.20A.310. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-7100, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-14-260 and 388-14-495.]

     (a) The request is from:

     (i) Another state's IV-D agency;

     (ii) An Indian tribe;

     (iii) A foreign country which has entered into a reciprocal agreement with the United States of America or with the state of Washington; or

     (iv) A custodial parent (CP) or noncustodial parent (NCP) who resides outside of Washington state who has filed a petition under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), chapter 26.21A RCW.

     (b) The party requesting that DCS ((assess and collect)) enforce interest provides a calculation of the interest claimed which has been certified by a IV-D agency or a certified public accountant (CPA); and

     (c) The support order was entered or established in a jurisdiction other than Washington state.

     (2) When a foreign support order has been submitted for enforcement under UIFSA, DCS may, at its option, either:

     (a) Use the notice of support debt and demand for payment to ((assess and collect)) enforce interest on an out-of-state support order. See WAC 388-14A-3304 for the rules regarding the notice of support debt and demand for payment; or

     (b) Use a notice of support debt and registration to ((assess and collect)) enforce interest on the foreign order. See WAC 388-14A-7100 for the rules regarding registration of a foreign order.

     (3) When an out of state order has been submitted for registration for enforcement and modification under UIFSA, DCS uses a notice of support debt and registration to ((assess and collect)) enforce interest on the out of state order. See WAC 388-14A-7100 for the rules regarding registration of a foreign support order.

     (4) Any hearing held on a notice of support debt and registration which includes a claim for interest is conducted in accordance with WAC 388-14A-7125 and 388-14A-7115.

     (a) WAC 388-14A-7135 describes the procedures for confirmation of the registered order.

     (b) WAC 388-14A-7135 describes the effect of confirmation of the registered order.

     (5) At any time after the notice of support debt and registration becomes a final administrative order, DCS may update the amount of interest as provided in WAC 388-14A-7120.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-7110, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.21.016. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-7110, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05.]

     (2) The calculation of the amount of interest which has been certified by a IV-D agency or a CPA must be accepted as evidence at a hearing on a notice of support debt and demand for payment or on a notice of support debt and registration.

     (a) Such certified calculation is prima facie evidence of the amount of interest owed by the NCP.

     (b) Any party challenging the certified calculation has the burden of proving that the amount of interest claimed is incorrect.

     (3) A party challenging the certified calculation may challenge the calculation for one or more of the following reasons:

     (a) The amount of principal is incorrect because credit was not given for payments made;

     (b) The amount of principal is incorrect because credit was given for payments which were not actually made; or

     (c) The interest calculation was not properly done according to the law of the state issuing the order.

     (4) If the administrative law judge (ALJ) finds that the party challenging the interest calculation has shown that the amount of principal is incorrect, the ALJ:

     (a) Enters an order stating the correct amount of principal;

     (b) Orders the party which submitted the original interest calculation to:

     (i) Recalculate or have recalculated the interest based on the new principal amount; and

     (ii) Submit the new certified calculation to the ALJ within a reasonable amount of time; and

     (c) After receiving the new certified calculation, enters an order determining the amount of debt, including interest, for the period claimed in the notice.

     (5) If the ALJ orders a new certified calculation, DCS may enforce any amounts of principal the ALJ found to be due and owing under the support order while the administrative order under subsection (4)(c) of this section is pending.

     (6) A claim that the interest calculation was not properly done must be supported by an interest calculation which is certified by a IV-D agency or a certified public accountant (CPA). The ALJ then determines which calculation is best supported by the evidence.

     (7) The division of child support does not perform certified interest calculations for use in a hearing under this section.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.21.016. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-7115, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05.]

     (2) To notify the parties to the order that DCS has updated the amount of interest, DCS uses a form called the ((Updated Interest Calculation Letter)) interest enforcement letter.

     (a) The ((updated)) interest ((calculation)) enforcement letter is based upon ((a calculation of interest which has been certified by a)) the annual notification of accrued interest from the IV-D agency or an updated interest calculation from a certified public accountant (CPA).

     (b) DCS sends the ((updated)) interest ((calculation)) enforcement letter to the noncustodial parent (NCP), by first class mail to the NCP's last known address.

     (3) The ((updated)) interest ((calculation)) enforcement letter ((advises)) may advise the NCP of:

     (a) The new, updated amount of interest owed for the arrears period; and

     (b) The updated total amount of support owed, including interest.

     (4) An NCP who objects to an ((updated)) interest ((calculation)) enforcement letter ((may request a conference board under WAC 388-14A-6400 to dispute the terms of the letter.

     (5) The calculation of the amount of interest which has been certified by a IV-D agency or CPA must be accepted as evidence at a conference board on an updated interest calculation letter.

     (a) The certified calculation is prima facie evidence of the amount of interest owed by the NCP.

     (b) Any party challenging the certified calculation has the burden of proving that the amount of interest claimed is incorrect)) must contact the IV-D agency or the CPA who did the calculation to dispute the amount of interest claimed.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 26.21.016. 05-07-059, § 388-14A-7120, filed 3/11/05, effective 4/11/05.]

     (2) When another state's IV-D agency or another jurisdiction has identified that there are multiple support orders in existence and DCS has personal jurisdiction over both of the parties to the orders, the IV-D agency or jurisdiction may request a determination of controlling order from DCS.

     (3) A request for a determination of controlling order may be made at any time, unless there has already been a determination of controlling order for the same obligor and children.

     (((3))) (4) DCS can provide a form which contains all the required elements for a request for determination of controlling order. A request for a determination of controlling order:

     (a) Must be in writing;

     (b) Must contain copies of any child support orders known to the requesting party. DCS waives this requirement if DCS has a true copy of the order on file; and

     (c) ((State the reason the requesting party thinks DCS is enforcing the wrong)) Must identify the order that the requesting party believes should be the controlling order.

     (((4))) (5) A request for determination of controlling order does not constitute a petition for modification of a support order.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-7305, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07.]

     (a) If DCS decides that the order that should be enforced is a Washington order, ((we immediately)) DCS refers the matter to the superior court for a determination of controlling order proceeding under chapter 26.21A RCW.

     (b) If ((we)) DCS decides that the order that should be enforced is an order which was not entered in the state of Washington, DCS follows the procedures set out in subsections (2) through (4) of this section.

     (2) DCS serves a notice of support debt and registration (((NOSDR))) as provided in WAC 388-14A-7100. DCS serves the ((NOSDR)) notice of support debt and registration on the obligor, the obligee, and on all identified interested parties. The ((NOSDR)) notice of support debt and registration includes a determination of controlling order.

     (3) DCS serves the notice of support debt and registration on ((the nonrequesting)) a party who did not request the determination of controlling order by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service.

     (4) DCS serves the notice on the ((requesting)) party who requested the determination of controlling order and on any other identified interested parties by first class mail to the last known address.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-7325, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07.]

     (2) ((The)) An objection to the determination of presumed controlling order must contain:

     (a) The reason the party, IV-D agency or jurisdiction objects ((to the determination of controlling order)). Examples of reasons to object include, but are not limited to:

     (i) There is another order that was not considered in making the determination;

     (ii) The alleged controlling order has been vacated, suspended or modified by a later order, which is attached to the objection;

     (iii) The issuing tribunal lacked personal jurisdiction over the nonpetitioning party;

     (iv) The order was obtained by fraud; or

     (v) Any other legal defense available under chapter 26.21A RCW.

     (b) A copy of the order which the party, IV-D agency or jurisdiction believes should be the controlling order, if that order was not included with the notice.

     (c) A statement of facts in support of the ((party's)) objection.

     (((2))) (3) When DCS receives an objection to the proposed determination of controlling order, DCS refers the objection to the prosecuting attorney or attorney general to bring an action for determination of controlling order under RCW 26.21A.130 in the superior court.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(2), 43.20A.550, 74.04.055, 74.08.090, 74.20.040, 74.20A.310. 07-08-055, § 388-14A-7335, filed 3/29/07, effective 4/29/07.]

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