WSR 21-23-103
PERMANENT RULES
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration))
((Division of Child Support)
[Filed November 17, 2021, 8:33 a.m., effective December 18, 2021]
Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.
Purpose: The division of child support (DCS) is enacting WAC 388-14A-2210 What is the procedure for service by certified mail due to COVID-19? Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has altered certified mail delivery practices to limit in-person contact for signatures. DCS relies on the certified mail return receipt requested delivery method for service of various notices. Because these USPS practices do not have a projected end date at this time, DCS is proposing a permanent rule to ensure due process and adequate service under the modified USPS processes.
Citation of Rules Affected by this Order: New WAC 388-14A-2210.
Adopted under notice filed as WSR 21-20-129 on October 5, 2021.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted at the Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's own Initiative: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Number of Sections Adopted using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 1, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
Date Adopted: November 17, 2021.
Katherine I. Vasquez
Rules Coordinator
SHS-4802.4
NEW SECTION
WAC 388-14A-2210What is the procedure for service by certified mail due to COVID-19?
(1) The United States Postal Service has made temporary changes to its certified mail signature gathering procedures to limit direct contact with recipients. As long as these special signature gathering procedures remain in effect, the division of child support (DCS) will consider service by certified mail, return receipt requested when required under chapter 388-14A WAC to be successful 10 days after the following requirements are satisfied:
(a) The notice is sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, with restricted delivery to the noncustodial or custodial parent DCS is serving; and
(b) The postal service employee signs the receipt on behalf of the individual taking delivery as required by current postal service restricted delivery procedures.
(2) The individual taking delivery under section (1)(b) of this section is presumed to be the subject of service or the authorized agent of the subject.