Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revisions to existing rules and possible new rules to update licensing fees for child day care and to provide waivers for child residential programs and to reflect principles of clear rule writing. Rules proposed for revision may include, but are not limited to, WAC 440-44-025 and 440-44-026.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 43.20B.110.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The review is [to] assess possible need for revision to existing rules and to consider writing rules clearly waiving payment of fees for licensees providing residential out-of-home care to children and to conform rules to clear writing standards per Executive Order 97-02.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulates aspects of out-of-home care and provides some financial assistance to the state through Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act. The department will offer HHS, Region 10, staff the opportunity to participate in a stakeholder group to work on revising these rules and other rules related to child welfare services and out-of-home care and will provide proposed rules for review and comment.

Process for Developing New Rule: The Children's Administration, with input from the Attorney General's Office, will convene a work group consisting of department staff, assistant attorneys general, and stakeholders, including foster parents and their representatives to participate with Children's Administration in the review and development of revised rules. These draft rules will be distributed generally for review and comment before finalization.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties may ask to participate in the stakeholder work group that will work with staff to develop the rules by contacting Jill Montgomery, Confidential Secretary to the Director, Division of Program and Policy Development, at (360) 902-7913 or e-mail MONJ300@dshs.wa.gov. In addition, interested parties may provide recommendations for inclusion in the proposed rule. They may review and comment on the proposed rules in writing, by electronic mail, or by telephone. They may participate in and offer testimony in public hearings that will be scheduled for the purpose of soliciting comments on the proposed rules.

August 10, 1999

Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit