Washington Administrative Code Title 44 - Attorney General's Office
The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Title 44 is specifically dedicated to the Attorney General's Office. This title outlines the rules and procedures governing the various functions and operations of the Washington State Attorney General (AGO).
The Attorney General's Office serves as the chief legal officer for the state of Washington. Its primary functions, as reflected in these regulations, include providing legal advice to state agencies, representing the state in legal proceedings, and fulfilling certain public service and oversight roles.
Here's a breakdown of the key chapters and the types of regulations you would find within WAC Title 44:
Chapter 44-02 - Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act Civil Penalty Adjustment:
This chapter deals with regulations related to the civil penalties that can be imposed under the Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act. It would specify how these penalties are calculated, adjusted, and enforced by the Attorney General's Office in cases of Medicaid fraud.
Chapter 44-06 - Public Records:
This is a very important chapter, as it governs how the Attorney General's Office handles requests for public records under Washington's Public Records Act (PRA). Key aspects include:
Function and Organization: General information about the AGO's structure and how to make inquiries.
Public Records Available: Specifies what types of records are generally available to the public.
Requests for Public Records: The procedures for submitting requests, including required information.
Response to Public Records Requests: Timelines and methods for the AGO to respond to requests.
Copying Fees: Rules regarding fees for duplicating public records.
Protection of Public Records: Measures taken to ensure the integrity and preservation of records.
Exemptions: Identifies types of records or information that may be exempt from disclosure under the PRA.
Review of Denials: Procedures for requestors to seek internal review of a denial of a public records request. This often involves an AGO review of state agency denials, where the AGO is authorized to issue a written opinion on the agency's claim of exemption.
Chapter 44-10 - Arbitration and the Arbitration Process:
This chapter details the rules for specific arbitration processes overseen or participated in by the Attorney General's Office. For example, this might include consumer protection arbitrations (such as those related to the "lemon law" for vehicles), where the AGO has a role in facilitating or screening arbitration requests.
It covers topics like the screening of arbitration requests, the conduct of arbitration hearings, and the responsibilities of parties involved.
Chapter 44-14 - Public Records Act—Model Rules:
This chapter provides model rules for other state agencies to adopt when establishing their own procedures for handling public records requests. While Chapter 44-06 applies specifically to the AGO, Chapter 44-14 serves as a template or guide for other state entities to ensure consistency and compliance with the Public Records Act.
It covers the scope of the Public Records Act, the requirement for agencies to adopt reasonable regulations, and guidance on the construction and application of the act.
Overall Purpose of WAC Title 44:
These regulations serve several key purposes for the Washington Attorney General's Office:
Transparency and Accountability: Chapters on public records (44-06 and 44-14) ensure that the AGO operates transparently and is accountable to the public by providing clear guidelines for accessing government information.
Procedural Fairness: Rules regarding arbitration ensure fair processes for dispute resolution in which the AGO may be involved.
Enforcement Authority: The Medicaid Fraud False Claims Act chapter outlines the AGO's procedures for enforcing laws designed to combat fraud.
Internal Operations: While less detailed than some agency titles, it sets out fundamental aspects of how the AGO functions administratively.
For the most current and complete text of the Washington Administrative Code, including Title 44, you should always consult the official resources provided by the State of Washington, such as the Washington State Legislature's website (app.leg.wa.gov/WAC) or other reliable legal databases.
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