WSR 17-08-019

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Filed March 27, 2017, 1:37 p.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Chapter 246-790 WAC, amending women, infants, and children (WIC) grocery vendor sections.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: 7 C.F.R. Part 246 and RCW 43.70.120.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: The department of health is considering amending WIC vendor rules to clarify business integrity requirements; clarify types of monitoring activities; define "pattern" relating vendor violations and sanctions; and align the rule with planned electronic benefit transfer (eWIC) implementation. Amendments may be necessary to provide needed clarification in order to support the program's authority to assess vendor violations and apply sanctions; support WIC vender [vendor] compliance; and reduce fraud.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: 7 C.F.R. Part 246 governs the administration of the USDA Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). The state office of the attorney general will participate in development of the WAC. Additional stakeholder agencies are the DSHS supplemental nutrition electronic benefits transfer (SNAP - EBT) program, and the DSHS temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program. The department will collaborate and share information with the agencies listed above. In addition, a comprehensive communication plan which identifies additional stakeholder[s] has been developed.

Process for Developing New Rule: Collaborative.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed amendments. The department will use existing listserv and other known contact information to inform stakeholders of opportunities to provide input on proposed rule language. Key constituent groups include the WIC vendor advisory committee, WIC authorized grocery vendors, and the WIC clinic services advisory committee. To be included on an interested parties list contact Troy Parks at (360) 236-3610, troy.parks@doh.wa.gov, or P.O. Box 47886, Olympia, WA 98504.

March 27, 2017

John Wiesman, MPH, PhD

Secretary