PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)
(Division of Child Support)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 06-24-111.
Title of Rule and Other Identifying Information: The department is proposing the amendment of WAC 388-14A-3200 an 388-14A-6300 regarding the establishment of administrative child support orders, declaring that the division of child support (DCS) does not enter orders following the calculation and set-off method established in Marriage of Arvey, 77 Wn. App. 817, 894 P.2d 1346 (1995).
Hearing Location(s): Blake Office Park East, Rose Room, 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503 (one block north of the intersection of Pacific Avenue S.E. and Alhadeff Lane, behind Goodyear Tire. A map or directions are available at http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/msa/rpau/docket.html or by calling (360) 664-6097), on February 27, 2007, at 10:00 a.m.
Date of Intended Adoption: Not earlier than February 28, 2007.
Submit Written Comments to: DSHS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504, delivery 4500 10th Avenue S.E., Lacey, WA 98503, e-mail schilse@dshs.wa.gov, fax (360) 664-6185, by 5:00 p.m. on February 27, 2007.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Stephanie Schiller, DSHS Rules Consultant, by February 23, 2007, TTY (360) 664-6178 or (360) 664-6097 or by e-mail at schilse@dshs.wa.gov.
Purpose of the Proposal and Its Anticipated Effects, Including Any Changes in Existing Rules: DCS seeks to clarify the rules regarding the establishment of administrative child support orders.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: DCS believes that the statutory authority contained in chapter 74.20A RCW concerning the establishment of administrative child support orders does not give DCS the authority to establish child support orders which set off one parent's child support obligation against the other in the manner established in Marriage of Arvey, 77 Wn. App. 817, 894 P.2d 1346 (1995). DCS wishes to clarify that such set off should not be used in administrative child support orders entered by administrative law judges, either.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.08.090, 34.05.220 (1)(a), 74.20A.055.
Statute Being Implemented: RCW 74.20A.055.
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 rules relating to the care of dependent children are exempt from preparing further analysis under RCW 34.05.328 (5)(b)(vii).
January 19, 2007
Jim Schnellman, Chief
Office of Administrative Resources
3812.4(2) See WAC 388-14A-8100 for rules on completing the worksheets under the WSCSS for cases where DCS is determining support for a child in foster care.
(3) DCS does not have statutory authority to set the child support obligations of both the noncustodial parent (NCP) and custodial parent (CP) in the same administrative proceeding.
(a) DCS orders can not set off the support obligation of one parent against the other.
(b) Therefore, the method set forth in Marriage of Arvey, 77 Wn. App 817, 894 P.2d 1346 (1995), must not be applied when DCS determines a support obligation.
(4) The limitations in this section apply to DCS staff and to administrative law judges (ALJs) who are setting child support obligations.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056. 06-16-073, § 388-14A-3200, filed 7/28/06, effective 8/28/06; 00-15-016 and 00-20-022, § 388-14A-3200, filed 7/10/00 and 9/25/00, effective 11/6/00. Formerly WAC 388-11-205.]
(2) In hearings held under this chapter to contest a
notice and finding of financial responsibility or a notice and
finding of parental responsibility or other notice or
petition, the ((administrative law judge (ALJ))) ALJ must
determine:
(a) The noncustodial parent's obligation to provide support under RCW 74.20A.057;
(b) The names and dates of birth of the children covered by the support order;
(c) The net monthly income of the noncustodial parent (NCP) and any custodial parent (CP);
(d) The NCP's share of the basic support obligation and any adjustments to that share, according to his or her circumstances;
(e) If requested by a party, the NCP's share of any special child-rearing expenses in a sum certain amount per month;
(f) The NCP's obligation to provide medical support under RCW 26.18.170;
(g) The NCP's accrued debt and order payments toward the debt in a monthly amount to be determined by the division of child support (DCS);
(h) The NCP's current and future monthly support obligation as a per month per child amount and order payments in that amount; and
(i) The NCP's total current and future support obligation as a sum certain and order payments in that amount.
(3) Having made the determinations required in subsection (2) above, the ALJ must order the NCP to make payments to the Washington state support registry (WSSR).
(4) The ALJ must allow DCS to orally amend the notice at the hearing to conform to the evidence. The ALJ may grant a continuance, when necessary, to allow the NCP or the CP additional time to present rebutting evidence or argument as to the amendment.
(5) The ALJ may not require DCS to produce or obtain information, documents, or witnesses to assist the NCP or CP in proof of defenses to liability. However, this rule does not apply to relevant, nonconfidential information or documents that DCS has in its possession.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.160. 06-09-015, § 388-14A-6300, filed 4/10/06, effective 5/11/06. Statutory Authority: RCW 26.23.050, 34.05.220, 74.08.090, 74.20A.310. 05-14-102, § 388-14A-6300, filed 6/30/05, effective 7/31/05. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.08.090, 26.23.050, 34.05.220, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, 45 CFR 303.11, 45 CFR 303.100. 01-03-089, § 388-14A-6300, filed 1/17/01, effective 2/17/01. Formerly WAC 388-11-100 and 388-11-210.]