WSR 97-02-082
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
[Filed December 31, 1996, 2:33 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Under the state's new temporary assistance to needy families (TANF) cash assistance program, a family's monthly grant will be reduced by twenty-five percent when the caretaker relative refuses, without good cause, to cooperate in establishing paternity or obtaining child support.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050 and 74.04.055.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Public Law 104-193, section 103 (a)(1) requires states to reduce TANF benefits by at least twenty-five percent to families whose caretaker relative refuses, without good cause, to cooperate in paternity establishment or child support collection. To maintain federal funding for Washington state's TANF program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.
Process for Developing New Rule: Agency study, internal (management) and external (field staff) review process whereby draft material is distributed for review and comment. All comments are taken into consideration before the final rule is issued.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Kevin Sullivan, Program Manager, AFDC/Refugee Assistance Section, Division of Income Assistance, P.O. Box 45400, Olympia, WA 98504-5400, phone (360) 413-3093, FAX (360) 413-3495.
December 31, 1996
Merry A. Kogut, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit