WSR 97-14-046
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
(Public Assistance)
[Filed June 27, 1997, 3:52 p.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Washington WorkFirst program based on EHB 3901 (1997), Part III and federal legislation under Public Law 104-193, Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996. Repeal of existing chapter 388-300 WAC, Job opportunities and basic skills training (JOBS) program.
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: EHB 3901 repeals the JOBS program and replaces it with the Washington WorkFirst program. Rules are needed to assure clients are treated in a fair and equitable manner across the state with regard to work activity program requirements. EHB 3901, section 325 directs the department to promulgate rules regarding which employers would be eligible to participate in a wage subsidy program; section 326 directs the department to establish the community service program.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: No other agency regulates this subject.
Process for Developing New Rule: Interested parties are invited to contact the Department of Social and Health Services staff representative below to participate in developing these rules. The Department of Social and Health Services will distribute proposed rules for review and comment. All comments will be taken into consideration before final rules are adopted.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Sue Langley, Program Manager, WorkFirst Program Operations Section, WorkFirst Division, P.O. Box 45480, Olympia, WA 98504-5480, phone (360) 413-3241, FAX (360) 413-3493, e-mail Langlsa@dshs.wa.gov, TTY 1-800-833-6388.
June 25, 1997
Merry A. Kogut, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit