Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of social and health services, economic services administration is amending sections of chapter 388-296 WAC related to the rule-making petitions accepted by the division of child care and early learning (DCCEL), and other petitions DCCEL denied but agreed to clarify specific WAC sections.

     Rule-making petitions accepted by DCCEL include amendments to WAC 388-296-0550 (2)(b), 388-296-0960(6), 388-296-0020, add definition for stationary equipment, and 388-296-1360 (6)(a), and (7).

     The department has agreed to make clarifying revisions that do not change the effect of the rule to WAC 388-296-290 (2) and (4), 388-296-0960(5), 388-296-0550 (2)(f), 388-296-1220 (7), (10), 388-296-0560(15), 388-296-1420 (1), (2), (3) and (4), 388-296-0870 (2)(a), (b), (c)(v), (vi), (4), and (5), and 388-296-0770 (1), (2), and (8).

     The department will make additional clarifying changes as deemed appropriate.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 74.15 RCW, RCW 74.08.090.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Minimum licensing requirements for family home child care are necessary to protect and promote the health, safety and well being of children in out-of-home care. Sections of chapter 388-296 WAC are being amended to make the rules more responsive to child care providers, or to clarify existing rule language.

     Process for Developing New Rule: All interested parties are invited to review and provide input on amended language. Notice will be sent to all family home child care providers in the state of Washington announcing the change and location on the DCCEL internet site for review and comment. For information about this rule making, or to be on a mailing list to receive notices about this rule, contact the person listed below. At a later date, the proposed rules will be filed with the code reviser, and comments will be taken in writing and at a public hearing before the amended rules are adopted as permanent.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Judy Jaramillo, Program Manager, 1009 College Street, Lacey, WA 98503, Division of Child Care and Early Learning, P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98504-5480, phone (360) 725-4692, fax (360) 413-3482, e-mail jaramje@dshs.wa.gov.

December 15, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit