Subject of Possible Rule Making: WAC 388-310-1850 Washington state WorkFirst program, reemploy Washington workers, and related rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.08.090 and 74.04.050.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department needs to clarify client eligibility (family size and income); timeliness in the fair hearing procedure; and the availability of funding for bonus payments.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Although WorkFirst is regulated by DSHS, reemploy Washington workers (RWW) is administered by the Employment Security Department (ESD). DSHS and ESD are jointly coordinating this rule clarification.

Process for Developing New Rule: Several meetings have been held between DSHS and ESD concerning the clarification of this WAC. ESD and DSHS will jointly develop the clarifying language and will send it out to interested parties informing them of the proposed clarifications. Please let us know if you have comments or suggestions on the draft language.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Sandy Jsames, WorkFirst Division, Department of Social and Health Services, phone (360) 413-3239, fax (360) 413-3482, e-mail jsamessm@DSHS.wa.gov; or Bonnie Ross, WorkFirst Division, Department of Social and Health Services, phone (360) 413-3239, fax (360) 413-3482, e-mail rossbp@DSHS.wa.gov.

August 3, 1999

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit