WSR 97-14-073

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Children's Administration)

(Public Assistance)

[Filed June 30, 1997, 11:45 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 388-155 WAC, Minimum licensing requirements for child day care homes.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.15.030.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Changes in WAC are needed to comply with state law. Also considering changes in WAC to increase safety and welfare of children in care, decrease redundancy in regulations, and review the need for regulations that may not be effective.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Child Care Coordinating Committee, Department of Health, State Fire Marshall. The Department of Social and Health Services will meet with all entities to assure these rules do not conflict or overlap.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Department of Social and Health Services encourages public participation developing these rules. Interested persons may contact the Department of Social and Health Services representative below for information about public meetings.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Laura Dallison, Licensing Program Manager, Office of Child Care Policy, P.O. Box 45700, Olympia, WA 98502, phone (360) 902-8044, FAX (360) 902-7903, e-mail dlau300@dshs.wa.gov, TTY (360) 902-7906.

June 27, 1997

Merry A. Kogut, Manager