WSR 02-23-031

EMERGENCY RULES

DEPARTMENT OF

SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES
(Economic Services Administration)

[ Filed November 12, 2002, 3:39 p.m. , effective November 15, 2002 ]

     Date of Adoption: November 12, 2002.

     Purpose: To bring the rules of the DSHS Division of Child Support (DCS) into accord with the changes to chapter 388-02 WAC effective November 15, 2002 (WSR 02-21-061), eliminating administrative review via the DSHS Board of Appeals for all DCS hearings except for those concerning diclosure of address information under WAC 388-14A-2114 through 388-14A-2140; to clarify when the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) issues an initial decision and when OAH issues a final decision; to establish procedures for requesting reconsideration of a decision by OAH.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 34.05.220(1), 74.08.090, 74.20A.055, 74.20A.056, and 74.20A.310.

     Under RCW 34.05.350 the agency for good cause finds that state or federal law or federal rule or a federal deadline for state receipt of federal funds requires immediate adoption of a rule.

     Reasons for this Finding: Changes to chapter 388-02 WAC adopted effective November 15, 2002, under WSR 02-21-061 make it necessary for DCS to adopt rules regarding this subject to preserve due process rights of those affected by DCS rules.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 5, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 5, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: November 15, 2002.

November 12, 2002

Brian H. Lindgren, Manager

Rules and Policies Assistance Unit

3185.3
NEW SECTION
WAC 388-14A-6105   What is the difference between an initial order and a final order in a hearing involving the division of child support?   (1) In an administrative hearing involving the DSHS division of child support (DCS), the administrative law judge (ALJ) enters either an initial order, which is subject to review, or a final order, which is not subject to review.

     (2) The terms "initial order," "final order" and "review" are defined in WAC 388-02-0010, and those definitions are repeated here for ease of reference:

     (a) "Initial order" is a hearing decision made by an ALJ that may be reviewed by a review judge pursuant to WAC 388-02-0215(4). An initial order is sometimes called an "initial decision."

     (b) "Final order" means an order that is the final DSHS decision.

     (c) "Review" means the act of reviewing initial orders and making the final agency decision as provided by RCW 34.05.464.

     (3) WAC 388-14A-6110 and 388-14A-6115 describe how to determine what kind of order is entered. Whether the ALJ enters an initial order or a final order does not depend on the date the hearing is held or the date the order is entered.

     (4) WAC 388-14A-6120 describes what you can do if you disagree with an initial order or final order.

     (5) WAC 388-14A-6125 describes when DCS may take enforcement action on an initial order or final order.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 388-14A-6110   When must an ALJ enter an initial order in a DCS hearing proceeding?   An administrative law judge (ALJ) must enter an initial order in a division of child support (DCS) hearing proceeding if:

     (1) The case involves the disclosure of a party's address under WAC 388-14A-2114 through 388-14A-2140;

     (2) A custodial parent (CP) or noncustodial parent (NCP) files a hearing request before November 15, 2002;

     (3) A CP or NCP files a petition for modification with DCS or the office of administrative headings (OAH) before November 15, 2002; or

     (4) DCS petitions for modification of an administrative order, and either the NCP or the CP is served with the notice of hearing before November 15, 2002.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 388-14A-6115   When must an ALJ enter a final order in a DCS hearing proceeding?   Except for cases regarding address disclosure under WAC 388-14A-2114 through 388-14A-2140, an administrative law judge (ALJ) must enter a final order in a DCS hearing proceeding if:

     (1) A custodial parent (CP) or noncustodial parent (NCP) files a hearing request on or after November 15, 2002;

     (2) An NCP or CP files a petition for modification with DCS or the office of administrative hearings (OAH) on or after November 15, 2002;

     (3) DCS petitions for modification of an administrative order, and neither the NCP nor the CP is served before November 15, 2002.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 388-14A-6120   What can I do if I do not agree with an initial order or final order entered by an administrative law judge?   (1) Except for the DCS representative, any party to an initial order entered by an administrative law judge (ALJ) has the right to request review pursuant to chapter 388-02 WAC.

     (2) No party may request administrative review of a final order entered by an ALJ.

     (3) Any party to an initial order or a final order may petition to vacate an order of dismissal or default, pursuant to WAC 388-14A-3700 and 388-14A-6150.

     (4) Any party to an initial order or final order may request correction of a clerical error in the order, pursuant to WAC 388-02-0540 through 388-02-0555.

     (5) Any party to a final order may request reconsideration of the order, pursuant to WAC 388-02-0605 through 388-02-0635.

     (6) Except for the DCS representative, any party to a final order may petition for judicial review, pursuant to RCW 34.05.510 through 34.05.598. You do not need to request reconsideration of the order before you petition for judicial review.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 388-14A-6125   When does an initial order or final order entered by an ALJ become enforceable?   (1) If no party requests review within twenty-one days of the date OAH mailed an initial order, the DSHS division of child support (DCS) may take enforcement action on the twenty-second day after OAH mailed the order.

     (2) DCS may take enforcement action on a final order immediately upon entry of the order.

     (a) Even if a party files a request for reconsideration, a request to correct a clerical error, a petition to vacate, or a petition for judicial review, DCS does not stop enforcement of the order.

     (b) To stop DCS from enforcing a final order, you must obtain a court order staying (stopping) enforcement of the order.

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