Wash. Admin. Code § 110-30-0340 – How does the ALJ make a decision regarding the founded CPS finding?

(1) The ALJ must decide if a preponderance of the evidence in the hearing record supports a determination that the alleged perpetrator committed an act of abuse or neglect of a child.
(2) If the ALJ determines that a preponderance of the evidence in the hearing record supports the founded CPS finding, the ALJ must uphold the finding.
(3) If the ALJ determines that the founded CPS finding is not supported by a preponderance of the evidence in the hearing record, the ALJ must remand the matter to the department for a change of the finding consistent with the ruling of the ALJ.

[WSR 18-14-078, recodified as § 110-30-0340, filed 6/29/18, effective 7/1/18. Statutory Authority: RCW 74.13.031, 74.04.050, and chapter 26.44 RCW. WSR 02-15-098 and 02-17-045, § 388-15-129, filed 7/16/02 and 8/14/02, effective 2/10/03.]