WSR 98-18-078

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES

(Economic Services Administration)

[Filed September 1, 1998, 11:11 a.m.]

Date of Adoption: September 1, 1998.

Purpose: Chapter 388-290 WAC implements a subsidized child care program needed by low-income families with dependent children to become employed or maintain employment. This rule allows a family's eligibility to be based on total income compared to one hundred seventy-five percent of the federal poverty level adjusted for family size. The rule also allows for greater client access to the subsidy program.

Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Amending WAC 388-290-010.

Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.04.050.

Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that immediate adoption, amendment, or repeal of a rule is necessary for the preservation of the public health, safety, or general welfare, and that observing the time requirements of notice and opportunity to comment upon adoption of a permanent rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Reasons for this Finding: This rule change creates greater access to childcare subsidies for WorkFirst clients. Currently, eligibility is based on gross income. This change allows the department to take payroll taxes into consideration when determining eligibility. Without this rule change, WorkFirst clients who have found new jobs will not be eligible for child care when their gross income exceeds the limits of eligibility. This may threaten their jobs, as well as the safety of their job, as well as the safety of their children if they are forced to use unlicensed care or leave their children home alone.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, amended 1, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; Pilot Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 0, amended 0, repealed 0.

Effective Date of Rule: Immediately.

September 1, 1998

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

SHS-2466.1

AMENDATORY SECTION (Amending WSR 98-08-021, filed 3/19/98, effective 4/19/98)

WAC 388-290-010  Subsidized child care--Purpose and income limit. The purpose of this program is to provide child care services necessary to assist families with dependent children to become or remain employed. The department may provide subsidized child care services to families with ((gross)) incomes at or below one hundred seventy-five percent of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) adjusted for family size.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050, 74.13.0903, and Public Law 104-193, Sections 407 and 605. 98-08-021, § 388-290-010, filed 3/19/98, effective 4/19/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and 1997 c 58 §§ 401-404. 97-20-130, § 388-290-010, filed 10/1/97, effective 11/1/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.04.050 and 45 CFR 255.4(F). 95-23-028 (Order 3916), § 388-290-010, filed 11/8/95, effective 12/9/95.]