WSR 18-23-028

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT

[Filed November 13, 2018, 4:53 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Modifying requirements for claimant directives to participate in reemployment services under RCW 50.20.010 (1)(e).

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 50.12.010 and 50.12.040 provide general rule-making authority to the employment security department (ESD).

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: As recommended by Unemployment Insurance Program Letter No. 3-17 (Dec. 8, 2016), the department is implementing an automated scheduling service to allow claimants to self-schedule the dates they will receive reemployment services. The rules need to be adjusted to reflect a more flexible scheduling approach.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Labor (USDOL) reviews the state's administration of the unemployment insurance program to ensure conformity to federal statutes and regulations. The state has broad flexibility in the implementation of the unemployment insurance laws so long as conformity is maintained. The proposed regulations will be shared with USDOL prior to adoption.

Process for Developing New Rule: The proposed rule will be shared with stakeholders as identified through the standard rule-making process. ESD will solicit input and consider all comments in the development of the final rule.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Scott E. Michael, P.O. Box 9046, phone 360-902-9587, fax 360-902-9662, TTY relay 711, email rules@esd.wa.gov, web site https://esd.wa.gov/newsroom/rulemaking/benefits.

November 13, 2018

Daniel L. Zeitlin

Employment System

Policy Director