Subject of Possible Rule Making: The division of child support (DCS) is making new sections and/or amendments in chapter 388-14A WAC, including WAC 388-14A-3205 How does DCS calculate my income?, and other new or amended sections as may become necessary to clarify how DCS completes the Washington child support schedule worksheets in a foster care case.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: DCS seeks to clarify the rules and procedures concerning completion of the worksheets under the Washington state child support schedule, determining the income of the parties to a child support establishment proceeding, and determining the administrative child support obligation in a foster care case after the Hochreiter decision.

     Process for Developing New Rule: DCS engages in modified collaborative rule making. Those persons wishing to participate in developing the new rules are encouraged to contact Nancy Koptur at the DCS headquarters as soon as possible. DCS will post information regarding this rule development project and others on its web site, which can be found at www.wa.gov/dshs.dcs, or on the DSHS economic services administration's policy review web site, which can be found at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/esa/extpolicy/. DSHS/DCS encourages the public to take part in developing the rules. After the rules are drafted, DSHS will file a copy with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making, and will send a copy to everyone currently on the mailing list and to anyone else who requests a copy.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Nancy Koptur, DCS Rules Coordinator, Division of Child Support, P.O. Box 9162, Mailstop 45860, Olympia, WA 98507-9162, phone (360) 664-5065, e-mail nkoptur@dshs.wa.gov, toll-free 1-800-457-6202, fax (360) 664-5055, TTY/TDD (360) 664-5011.

December 30, 2005

Andy Fernando, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit