(1) When an individual receives medical assistance subject to recovery under this chapter and the individual is the holder of record title to real property or the purchaser under a land sale contract, the department of social and health services may present to the county auditor for recording in the deed and mortgage records of a county a request for notice of transfer or encumbrance of the real property. The department shall adopt a rule providing prior notice and hearing rights to the record title holder or purchaser under a land sale contract.

     (2) The department shall present to the county auditor for recording a termination of request for notice of transfer or encumbrance when, in the judgment of the department, it is no longer necessary or appropriate for the department to monitor transfers or encumbrances related to the real property.

     (3) The department shall adopt by rule a form for the request for notice of transfer or encumbrance and the termination of request for notice of transfer or encumbrance that, at a minimum:

     (a) Contains the name of the public assistance recipient and a departmental case identifier or other appropriate information that links the individual who is the holder of record title to real property or the purchaser under a land sale contract to the individual's public assistance records;

     (b) Contains the legal description of the real property;

     (c) Contains a mailing address for the department to receive the notice of transfer or encumbrance; and

     (d) Complies with the requirements for recording in RCW 36.18.010 for those forms intended to be recorded.

     (4) The department shall pay the recording fee required by the county clerk under RCW 36.18.010.

     (5) The request for notice of transfer or encumbrance described in this section does not affect title to real property and is not a lien on, encumbrance of, or other interest in the real property.

[2005 c 292 § 1.]