Subject of Possible Rule Making: The following sections in chapter 110-50 WAC, Child welfare, will be amended: WAC 110-50-0060 What must a parent do to place the child in foster care with the department?, 110-50-0070 Under what circumstances may a parent sign a consent for voluntary placement of a child in foster care with the department?, 110-50-0080 How long may a voluntary placement last with the department?, and 110-50-0090 May the department grant an exception to the length of stay in a voluntary placement?; other related rules.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The child welfare division is amending the voluntary placement agreement (VPA) WAC in chapter 110-50 WAC and other related rules. The WAC revisions will decrease the time frames for VPAs from 180 to 90 calendars days to ensure the department of children, youth, and families is meeting the federal IV-E funding requirement. WAC will also be updated to align with current practice, clarify the requirements, reorganize, and remove redundancy, decreasing the number of VPA WAC.

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

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Alissa Copeland, phone 206-276-7644, email alissa.copeland@dcyf.wa.gov; or Nicole Clark, 1500 Jefferson Street S.E., Olympia, WA 98501, email Nicole.Clark@dcyf.wa.gov, website www.dcyf.wa.gov.