PROPOSED RULES
SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Children's Administration)
Original Notice.
Preproposal statement of inquiry was filed as WSR 96-15-107.
Title of Rule: Adopting three new chapters: Child welfare services -- Foster care, chapter 388-25 WAC; Child welfare services -- Adoption and adoption support, chapter 388-27 WAC; and Child welfare services to prevent out-of-home placement and achieve family reconciliation, chapter 388-32 WAC.
Repealing chapter 388-70 WAC and parts of chapter 388-15 WAC.
Purpose: The proposed rules replace chapter 388-70 WAC and parts of chapter 388-15 WAC as part of the department's rule migration and regulatory reform required under EO 97-02. The proposed rules revise child welfare services, adoption, foster care, family reconciliation services, family support services, and add home based services. The proposed rules describe programs and funding requirements to a degree not previously described in rule, with respect to the foster care program.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 74.13.031.
Statute Being Implemented: Chapters 74.13, 13.32A, and 13.34 RCW.
Summary: Rewrite rules in clear format, to update requirements and benefits, repeal outdated rules.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The rules are updated to reflect current federal and state law and regulation and to comply with Executive Order 97-02.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting and Implementation: Lonnie Locke/Pam Caird/Sharon Young/Caroline Ford, P.O. Box 45710, Olympia, WA 98504-5710, (360) 902-7932; and Enforcement: Celeste Carey/Pam Caird/Sharon Young/Caroline Ford, P.O. Box 45710, Olympia, WA 98504-5710, (360) 902-7986.
Name of Proponent: Department of Social and Health Services, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: The rules recodify existing rules in a new chapter, restate the rules in clear writing format and update existing rules to reflect current state and federal law and regulation. The adopted rules will provide clear, concise answers to persons seeking information regarding child welfare services.
Proposal does not change existing rules.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. Children's Administration has analyzed the proposed WAC changes and concludes that no new costs will be imposed on the small businesses impacted by these WACs. Preparation of a small business economic impact statement is not required.
RCW 34.05.328 applies to this rule adoption. Children's Administration has determined that the changes to the adoption support program in chapter 388-27 WAC and the home-based services program in chapter 388-32 WAC meet the definition of significant legislative rules. The other parts of this proposal clarify language of existing rules without changing the effect. For information regarding the cost benefit analyses contact: For chapter 388-25 WAC, Child welfare services -- Foster care, Lonnie Locke, (360) 902-7932; for chapter 388-27 WAC, Child welfare services -- Adoption and adoption support, Pam Caird, (360) 902-7968; and for chapter 388-32 WAC, Child welfare services to prevent out-of-home placement and achieve family reconciliation, Sharon Young, (360) 902-7991.
Hearing Location: Lacey Government Center (behind Tokyo Bento Restaurant), 1009 College Street S.E., Room 104-B, Lacey, WA 98503, on October 24, 2000, at 10:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Kelly Cooper, DSHS Rules Coordinator, by October 17, 2000, phone (360) 664-6094, TTY (360) 664-6178, e-mail myercme@dshs.wa.gov [coopekd@dshs.wa.gov].
Submit Written Comments to: Identify WAC Numbers, DSHS Rules Coordinator, Rules and Policies Assistance Unit, P.O. Box 45850, Olympia, WA 98504-5850, fax (360) 664-6185, by October 24, 2000.
Date of Intended Adoption: No sooner than October 25, 2000.
August 23, 2000
Marie Myerchin-Redifer, Manager
Rules and Policies Assistance Unit
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 00-19 issue of the Register.