(1) Application. This chapter contains the procedural rules that apply to adjudicative proceedings involving the department of children, youth, and families (DCYF).

(2) This chapter:

(a) Where appropriate, establishes rules encouraging informal dispute resolution between DCYF and persons or entities who disagree with the department's actions; and

(b) Regulates all hearings involving DCYF.

(3) The rules of this chapter are intended to implement and supplement chapter 43.216 RCW; the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), chapter 34.05 RCW; and the model rules of procedure adopted by the office of administrative hearings (OAH), chapter 10-08 WAC. If a provision of this chapter is broader or conflicts with a more specific provision in another applicable rule or law, the more specific rule or law applies.

(4) This chapter and any amendments to this chapter apply to cases pending before OAH or a review judge at the time of adoption unless the amendment or rule specifically states otherwise. An amendment to this chapter does not require that issues already addressed by OAH or a review judge be readdressed to comply with the amendment, unless the amendment expressly says otherwise.

(5) Nothing in this chapter is intended to affect the constitutional rights of any person or to limit or change additional requirements imposed by statute or other rule. Other laws or rules determine whether a hearing right exists, including the APA and DCYF program rules and laws.

(6) Specific DCYF hearing rules contained in other chapters within this title will prevail over the rules in this chapter.

(7) Effective July 1, 2019, this chapter, not chapter 388-02 or 170-03 WAC, applies to all cases from programs administered by DCYF in which DCYF or its predecessor agencies issued a written notice of an appealable decision, including written notices issued before July 1, 2019. A petition for review of an initial order filed before July 1, 2019, will be reviewed by the body to which the petition was filed.