Subject of Possible Rule Making: The division of child support (DCS) proposes to amend, adopt, or repeal, as needed, various sections in chapter 388-14A WAC to make the administrative support establishment process more efficient and user-friendly as we: (1) Implement ESSB 6037 (chapter 6, Laws of 2018, which adopted the 2017 version of the Uniform Parentage Act); and the technical corrections made to that bill by SSB 5333 (chapter 46, Laws of 2019); as well as (2) update terminology and clarify and streamline the rules and procedures regarding parentage to conform with current state and federal laws and other related rules as may be needed.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: DCS is updating its rules to implement changes in state and federal law in order to clarify and streamline our processes, with the end goal of making our processes and procedures clearer, more flexible, and more understandable for the parties, children, and families who receive our services. DCS is incorporating changes in terminology regarding parentage from the Uniform Parentage Act (adopted as chapter 26.26A RCW). In addition, DCS is implementing certain mandatory and optional provisions from the Flexibility, Efficiency, and Modernization in Child Support Enforcement Programs rule ("Flexibility rule," which was published on December 20, 2016, in the Federal Register, Volume 81, Number 244, on page 93492), as well as other concepts. This rule-making project is intended to improve the level of services we can provide to children and families.

Process for Developing New Rule: DCS engages in modified collaborative rule making. Those people wishing to participate in developing the new rules are encouraged to contact the DCS rules coordinator at the department of social and health services (DSHS) DCS headquarters as soon as possible. DCS will post information regarding this rule development project and others on the DSHS economic services administration's policy review website, which can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/extpolicy/. Rule-making forms and draft rules may also be found on the DSHS filings and rules page at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-of-the-secretary/filings-and-rulings. DSHS/DCS encourages the public to take part in developing 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 Monica Turnbaugh, DCS Rules Coordinator, DCS Headquarters, P.O. Box 9162, Olympia, WA 98507-9162, phone 360-664-5339, fax 360-664-5342, TTY 1-800-833-6384, email Monica.Turnbaugh@dshs.wa.gov, website www.childsupportonline.wa.gov.