WSR 16-01-153

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed December 21, 2015, 12:46 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: To amend WAC 388-450-0200 Will the medical expenses of elderly persons or individuals with disabilities in my assistance unit be used as an income deduction for Basic Food?, and other related rules as may be required.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 74.04.050, 74.04.055, 74.04.500, 74.04.057, 74.04.510, 74.08.090, 74.08A.120, 7 C.F.R. 273.9.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To amend WAC 388-450-0200 to clarify that medical marijuana is not an acceptable medical expense.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The state legislature authorizes DSHS to administer the federal food stamp program, supplemental nutrition assistance program under RCW 74.04.500, 74.04.510, and food assistance for legal immigrants who are ineligible for the federal food stamp program under RCW 74.08A.120.

Process for Developing New Rule: DSHS welcomes the public to take part in developing the rules. Anyone interested should contact the staff person identified below. At a later date, DSHS will file a proposal with the office of the code reviser with a notice of proposed rule making. A copy of the proposal will be sent to everyone on the mailing list and to anyone 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 Ezra Paskus, Program Manager, Economic Services Administration, Community Services Division, P.O. Box 45470, Olympia, WA 98504-5470, phone (360) 725-4611, fax (360) 725-4905, e-mail paskuet@dshs.wa.gov.

December 21, 2015

Katherine I. Vasquez

Rules Coordinator