Administrative Rule Review Report  #AR10-026

Legislative Service Office

4-May-10

AGENCY: Department of Workforce Services.

DATE SUBMITTED: May 3, 2010.

SUBJECT: Chapters 1, WY Quality Counts! Educational Development Program.

NATURE OF RULES:                     Legislative and procedural.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY:         W.S. 23-1-302(a)(i).

DETERMINATION OF PROCEDURAL COMPLIANCE BASED UPON INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY THE AGENCY TO LSO:  The LSO has no record of receiving notice of the Agency's intended rulemaking action as required by W.S. 16-3-103(a). Otherwise, procedural compliance is apparently complete to date.  The rules are not new rules, so a notice pursuant to W.S. 28-9-103(d) was not required.

SUMMARY OF RULES:        The Department of Workforce Services administers a program created in 2006 for child care services that includes a quality rating system, incentive payments for quality care and grants for professional educational development.  The Department's rules governing the program were last amended in 2008.  The current amendments:

• Create a new Section 7 that establishes repayment waiver requirements for all grant categories;

• Expand the list of coursework eligible for assistance grants;

• Authorize grants to contract workers of child caring facilities;

• Increase maximum grants from $1,500 to $2,000 for persons enrolled in Child Development Associate Certificate programs.

FINDINGS:  The rules appear to be within the scope of statutory authority and legislative intent. 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:  That the rules be placed on the Consent List and be approved by the Council as submitted by the Agency.

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Gerald W. Laska

Staff Attorney

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Linda Cook

Staff Attorney

GWL/