Subject of Possible Rule Making: The division of child support (DCS) is proposing to amend or add new sections in chapter 388-14A WAC to implement HB 1262 as enacted during the 2023 legislative session (chapter 248, Laws of 2023). HB 1262 establishes a requirement that employers report lump sum payments over $500 if there is an income withholding order in place for the paying parent that includes child support arrears. This gives DCS time to send an income withholding order to collect from the lump sum payment and apply the funds to unpaid child support debts, and other related rules as may be necessary.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rules are necessary to implement this legislation to provide guidance and outline relevant procedures for employers to comply with the reporting requirements. As needed, amendments may also make additional changes required to improve clarity, update policy, or better align rule language with state and federal law or regulations.

Process for Developing New Rule: DCS engages in modified collaborative rule making. Those wishing to participate in developing the new rules are encouraged to contact Monica Turnbaugh at the department of social and health services (DSHS) DCS headquarters as soon as possible. DCS will post information regarding this rule development project and others on its website, which can be found at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/esa/division-child-support, or on the DSHS economic services administration's policy review website, which can be found at https://fortress.wa.gov/dshs/f2ws03esaapps/extpolicy/.

Rule-making forms and draft rules may also be found on the DSHS filings and rules page at https://www.dshs.wa.gov/office-of-the-secretary/filings-and-rulings.

DSHS/DCS encourages the public to take part in developing 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 Monica Turnbaugh, DCS Rules Coordinator, P.O. Box 9162, Mailstop 45860, Olympia, WA 98507, phone 360-664-5339, fax 360-664-5342, TTY 1-800-833-6384, email monica.turnbaugh@dshs.wa.gov.