WSR 98-18-090

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

EMPLOYMENT SECURITY DEPARTMENT

[Filed September 2, 1998, 10:06 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The 1998 legislature authorized the department to accept initial applications for unemployment benefits by means other than a written request (SSB 6420). Beginning February 1999, the department plans to transition the application process into call centers, where the majority of claims will be handled via telephone.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 50.12.010 Commissioner's duties and powers, 50.12.040 Rule-making authority, and 50.20.140 Filing applications and claims.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Current rules mandate that initial applications be filed in person; these rules must be amended to provide instructions on how to file applications and claims when the department transitions to call centers. Other rules which refer to in-person filings of appeals and various forms, or which require the department to offer in-person interviews, will be amended consistent with the processing of applications and claims via telephone. Additional housekeeping changes, and rewording for purposes of clarity of language, will be made as necessary.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Labor reviews the state's administration of the unemployment insurance program to ensure conformity to federal statutes and regulations. The state has broad flexibility in the implementation of unemployment insurance laws as long as conformity is maintained. The proposed regulations will be shared with USDOL Region X staff prior to adoption.

Process for Developing New Rule: The department will conduct informal public meetings with interested individuals and stakeholders to gather their input and comments during the development of these regulations.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Persons interested in attending public meetings to discuss the proposed regulations should contact Juanita Myers, Program Coordinator, Unemployment Insurance Division Policy Unit, P.O. Box 9046, Olympia, WA 98507-9046, phone (360) 902-9665, fax (360) 902-9799, e-mail jmyers@esd.wa.gov.

September 1, 1998

Carver Gayton

Commissioner