PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
EARLY LEARNING
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 170-290 WAC.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 43.215 RCW, SB 6226, 3ESHB 2127.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To implement certain bills enacted by the 2012 legislature and signed by the governor:
| • | Regarding raising the cutoff of eligibility for working connections child care subsidies from one hundred seventy-five percent of the federal poverty level, to two hundred percent of the federal poverty level. |
| • | Regarding increasing the authorization period for working connections child care from six months to twelve months. |
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The department of early learning (DEL) jointly administers the working connections child care and seasonal child care subsidy programs. To the extent possible, DEL plans to coordinate rule development with these state and federal agencies.
Process for Developing New Rule: To the extent practical, DEL intends to seek public input during the rule drafting and development process. At a later date, DEL will file proposed rules (more than one proposed rule-making notice may be filed), hold a public hearing or hearings, and accept written comments before adopting permanent rules.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Individuals and organizations wishing to receive draft and proposed materials may join a DEL rules mailing list by contacting the DEL rules coordinator at Rules@del.wa.gov, by phone at (360) 725-4421, by fax to (360) 725-4459, or writing to DEL Rules Coordinator, Department of Early Learning, P.O. Box 40972, Olympia, WA 98504-0972.
June 15, 2012
Elizabeth M. Hyde
Director