WSR 26-10-097

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF

CHILDREN, YOUTH, AND FAMILIES

[Filed May 6, 2026, 10:48 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: The licensing division is amending WAC 110-300-0400 Application materials, 110-300-0401 License fees, 110-301-0400 Application materials, 110-301-0401 License fees, 110-302-0400 Application materials, and 110-302-0401 License fees; other related rules.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.216.300, 43.216.305, 43.216.310, and Washington state Executive Order 25-03 Improving transparency in the state's permitting and licensing processes.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Rule making is necessary to align the licensing fee process with current operational needs and to support the efficiency, transparency, and predictability goals outlined in Executive Order 25-03.

Under the current rules, providers pay fees at application submission which can result in refunds or reimbursements if, within the required 90 calendar days, they do not complete the process or open [no further information supplied by agency]. If payment is collected when licenses are issued, rather than when applications are submitted, the process will be more efficient as unnecessary refunds and reimbursements can be avoided.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: Not applicable.

Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making; and collaborative.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Brett Skinner, P.O. Box 9809, Vancouver, WA 98666, phone 360-601-0885, email brett.skinner@dcyf.wa.gov, website www.dcyf.wa.gov; or Amy Emerson, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, phone 360-972-5385, email amy.emerson@dcyf.wa.gov, website www.dcyf.wa.gov.

May 6, 2026

Brenda Villarreal

Rules Coordinator