PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 05-05-078.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The Division of Child Support (DCS) is amending WAC 388-14A-3102 and 388-14A-3120 to correct a date reference to clarify when, under the Uniform Parentage Act, chapter 26.26 RCW, an affidavit acknowledging paternity was sufficient to establish a binding determination of paternity.
Rules Affected: WAC 388-14A-3102 When the parents have signed an acknowledgment or affidavit of paternity, which support establishment notice does the division of child support serve on the noncustodial parent?; and 388-14A-3120 The notice and finding of parental responsibility is used to set child support when the father's duty of support is based upon an affidavit of paternity which is not a conclusive presumption of paternity.
Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East (behind Goodyear Courtesy Tire), Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, on May 24, 2005, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than May 25, 2005.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA, e-mail fernaax@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m., May 24, 2005.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Andy Fernando, DSHS Rules Coordinator, by May 20, 2005, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: In 1997, the Washington legislature enacted a statute providing that an affidavit acknowledging paternity was sufficient to establish a binding determination of paternity, effective July 1, 1997. However, the new paternity acknowledgment forms were not available until August of 1997, so the Division of Child Support (DCS) used August 15, 1997, as the effective date for such filings. The Uniform Parentage Act makes it clear that any acknowledgment filed after July 1, 1997, is subject to the provisions of the UPA. DCS now seeks to bring its rules and policies in line with existing Washington law and clarify that the effective date is July 1, 1997.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: See above.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 26.26.315, 26.26.320, 26.26.330, 26.26.335, 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, 74.20A.310.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 26.26.315, 26.26.320, 26.26.330, 26.26.335, 74.20A.056.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Nancy Koptur, DCS HQ, P.O. Box 9162, Olympia, WA 98507-9162, (360) 664-5065.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. This rule does not have an economic impact on small businesses. It only affects individuals who have support obligations or individuals who are owed child support.
A cost-benefit analysis is not required under RCW 34.05.328. The rule does meet the definition of a significant legislative rule but DSHS/DCS is exempt from preparing further analysis under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii).
April 13, 2005
Andy Fernando, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
3511.1 (2) For affidavits or acknowledgments filed on or before
((August 14, 1997)) July 1, 1997 with the center for health
statistics in the state of Washington, the division of child
support (DCS) serves a notice and finding of parental
responsibility (NFPR). See WAC 388-14A-3120.
(3) For affidavits or acknowledgments filed after
((August 14, 1997)) July 1, 1997 with the center for health
statistics in the state of Washington, DCS serves a notice and
finding of financial responsibility (NFFR) under WAC 388-14A-3115, because the affidavit or acknowledgment has
become a conclusive presumption of paternity under RCW 26.26.320.
(4) For acknowledgments or affidavits filed with the vital records agency of another state, DCS determines whether to serve a NFFR or NFPR depending on the laws of the state where the affidavit is filed.
(5) DCS relies on the acknowledgment or affidavit, even if the mother or father were not yet eighteen years of age at the time they signed or filed the acknowledgment or affidavit, as provided in RCW 26.26.315(4).
(6) If the mother was married at the time of the child's birth, but not to the man acknowledging paternity, the man to whom she was married must also have signed and filed a denial of paternity within ten days of the child's birth.
(7) If the acknowledgment or affidavit is legally deficient in any way, DCS may refer the case for paternity establishment in the superior court.
(8) If the mother is the noncustodial parent, DCS serves a NFFR.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.056, 74.20A.310, 26.26.315, 26.26.320, 26.26.330, 26.26.335, 74.20A.055, 2002 c 302, and 2002 c 199. 03-17-013, § 388-14A-3102, filed 8/12/03, effective 9/12/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3102, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00.]
(2) The NFPR differs from a notice and finding of financial responsibility (NFFR) (see WAC 388-14A-3115) because the parties may request genetic testing to contest paternity after being served with a NFPR.
(3) DCS serves a NFPR when:
(a) An affidavit acknowledging paternity is on file with
the center for health statistics and was filed before ((August
14, 1997)) July 1, 1997; or
(b) An affidavit acknowledging paternity is on file with the vital records agency of another state and the laws of that state allow the parents to withdraw the affidavit or challenge paternity.
(4) DCS attaches a copy of the acknowledgment of paternity or certification of birth record information to the NFPR.
(5) The NFPR advises the noncustodial parent and the custodial parent (who is either the mother or the physical custodian of the child) of the support obligation for the child or children named in the notice. The NFPR fully and fairly advises the parents of their rights and responsibilities under the NFPR. The NFPR warns the noncustodial parent and the custodial parent that at an administrative hearing on the notice, the administrative law judge (ALJ) may set the support obligation in an amount higher or lower than, or different from, the amount stated in the NFPR, if necessary for an accurate support order.
(6) The NFPR includes the information required by RCW 26.23.050, 74.20A.055, and 74.20A.056.
(7) The NFPR includes the noncustodial parent's health insurance obligation, pursuant to RCW 26.18.170 and 26.23.050.
(8) The NFPR may include an obligation to provide support for day care expenses or special child-rearing expenses, pursuant to chapter 26.19 RCW.
(9) DCS may not assess an accrued support debt for a period longer than five years before the NFPR is served. This limitation does not apply to the extent that the noncustodial parent hid or left the state of Washington for the purpose of avoiding service.
(10) After service of the NFPR, the noncustodial parent and the custodial parent must notify DCS of any change of address, or of any changes that may affect the support obligation.
(11) The noncustodial parent must make all support payments to the Washington state support registry after service of the NFPR. DCS does not give the NCP credit for payments made to any other party after service of the NFPR, except as provided by 388-14A-3375.
(12) DCS may take immediate wage withholding action and enforcement action without further notice under chapters 26.18, 26.23, and 74.20A RCW when the NFPR is a final order. See WAC 388-14A-3110 for when the notice becomes a final order.
(13) In most cases, a child support obligation continues until the child reaches the age of eighteen. WAC 388-14A-3810 describes when the obligation under the NFPR can end sooner or later than age eighteen.
(14) Either the noncustodial parent, or the mother, if she is also the custodial parent, may request genetic tests. A mother who is not the custodial parent may at any time request that DCS refer the case for paternity establishment in the superior court.
(15) DCS does not stop enforcement of the order unless DCS receives a timely request for hearing or a timely request for genetic tests. See WAC 388-14A-3110 for time limits. DCS does not refund any money collected under the notice if the noncustodial parent is later:
(a) Excluded from being the father by genetic tests; or
(b) Found not to be the father by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(16) If the noncustodial parent requested genetic tests and was not excluded as the father, he may request within twenty days from the date of service of the genetic tests in Washington, or sixty days from the date of service of the genetic tests outside of Washington:
(a) A hearing on the NFPR.
(b) That DCS initiate a parentage action in superior court under chapter 26.26 RCW.
(17) If the noncustodial parent was not excluded as the father, the mother, if she is also the custodial parent, may within twenty days of the date of service of the genetic tests request:
(a) A hearing on the NFPR; or
(b) That DCS initiate a parentage action in superior court under chapter 26.26 RCW.
(18) If the NCP is excluded by genetic testing, DCS may refer the case for paternity establishment in the superior court.
(19) A hearing on a NFPR is for the limited purpose of resolving the accrued support debt, current support obligation and reimbursement to DCS for paternity-related costs. The NCP has the burden of proving any defenses to liability.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.056, 74.20A.310, 26.26.315, 26.26.320, 26.26.330, 26.26.335, 74.20A.055, 2002 c 302, and 2002 c 199. 03-17-013, § 388-14A-3120, filed 8/12/03, effective 9/12/03. Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3120, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00. Formerly WAC 388-11-290.]