TITLE health-services

Part II. Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Chapter 401. System Administration

Subchapter B. Interagency Agreements

25 TAC §§401.41-401.45, 401.48-401.52, 401.54, 401.57-401.61

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (department) proposes the repeal of Chapter 401, Subchapter B, §§401.41-401.45, 401.48-401.52, 401.54, 401.57-401.61 concerning Interagency Agreements. New Chapter 411, Subchapter B, concerning interagency agreements, is contemporaneously proposed for public comment in this issue of the Texas Register .

The repeals are part of a comprehensive reorganization of chapters and subchapters within the department's portion of the Texas Administrative Code in conjunction with the sunset review required by the current Appropriations Act, Article IX, §167. The subchapter adopts legislatively mandated memoranda of understanding (MOU) and other agreements between the department and other state agencies.

William R. Campbell, chief financial officer, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period that the repeals, as proposed, are in effect, there will be no significant fiscal impact on state or local government.

Karen Hale, commissioner, has determined that for each year of the first five years the repeals as proposed are in effect, the public benefit is the existence of a concise and relevant body of policy documents that is in compliance with the legislative mandate to sunset the department's rules. There is no anticipated economic impact on persons or small businesses affected by the repeal of the subchapter. No local employment impact is anticipated as a result of repealing the subchapter.

Written comments on the proposal may be sent to Linda Logan, director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668, within 30 days of publication.

The repeals are proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015, which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board with broad rulemaking authority.

This repeal of this subchapter would affect the following statutes which require the adoption of various MOUs: Texas Education Code, §29.011; Texas Family Code, §264.003; Texas Government Code, §501.093; Texas Health and Safety, §§161.133 and 533.044, and 614.013; and Texas Human Resources Code, §§22.011, 22.013, 22.014, and 81.017.

§401.41. Purpose.

§401.42. Application.

§401.43. Definitions.

§401.44. Memorandum of Understanding: Provision, Regulation, and Funding of Services in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities.

§401.45. Memorandum of Understanding: Coordination of Services to Disabled Persons.

§401.48. Memorandum of Understanding: Continuity of Care for Inmates with a History of Substance Abuse.

§401.49. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Coordinated Services to Children and Youths.

§401.50. Memorandum of Understanding: Coordination of Delivery of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services to Hearing-Impaired or Deaf Persons.

§401.51. Memorandum of Understanding: Coordination of Information, Services, and Resources for Youth.

§401.52. Memorandum of Understanding: Coordination of Exchange and Distribution of Public Awareness Information.

§401.54. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Transition Planning for Students Receiving Special Education Services.

§401.57. Training Requirements for Identifying Abuse, Neglect, and Unprofessional or Unethical Conduct in Health Care Facilities

§401.58. Uniform Assessment Tool for Assessing Decision-making Capacity.

§401.59. Continuity of Care System for Offenders with Mental Impairments.

§401.60. Interagency Coordination of Special Education Services to Students with Disabilities in Residential Care Facilities.

§401.61. Distribution.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 12, 1999.

TRD-9904183

Charles Cooper

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 22, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4516


Chapter 410. Volunteer Services and Public Information

Subchapter A. Public Responsibility Committees

25 TAC §§410.01-410.14

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (department) proposes the repeal of §§410.01-410.14 of Chapter 410, concerning Public Responsibility Committees. Chapter 596 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, the statutory authority, for these sections has been repealed.

William R. Campbell, chief financial officer, has determined that for each of the first five years the proposed repeals are in effect, there will be no significant fiscal impact on state or local governments as a result of enforcing the repeal of these rules.

Karen Hale, commissioner, has determined that for each year of the first five years that the repeals as proposed are in effect, the public benefit will be the existence of a concise and relevant body of policy documents as a result of repealing unnecessary rules. There will be no effect on small or large businesses or on individuals. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the repeals as proposed. No local economic impact is anticipated as a result of repealing the rules.

Written comments on the proposal may be sent to Linda Logan, director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668, within 30 days of publication.

The repeals are proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015, which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board with broad rulemaking authority.

The sections affect the Health and Safety Code, §532.015, Human Resources Code, §32.021, and Government Code, §531.021.

§410.01. Purpose.

§410.02. Application.

§410.03. Definitions

§410.04. Functions of the PRC.

§410.05. Membership.

§410.06. Meetings.

§410.07. Information Responsibilities.

§410.08. Investigatory Responsibilities.

§410.09. Routine Reporting Responsibilities.

§410.10. Confidentiality.

§410.11. Redress to Complaints.

§410.12. Exhibits.

§410.13. References.

§410.14. Distribution.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 9, 1999.

TRD-9904143

Charles Cooper

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 22, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4516


Chapter 411. State Authority Responsibilities

Subchapter B. Interagency Agreements

25 TAC §§411.51-411.63, §411.75

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (department) proposes new §§411.51-411.63, and §411.75 of new Chapter 411, Subchapter B, concerning Interagency Agreements.

The new subchapter adopts legislatively mandated memoranda of understanding (MOU) and other agreements between the department and other state agencies that currently are adopted in Chapter 401, Subchapter B. The texts of §411.61, concerning capacity assessment for self care and financial management; and §411.62, concerning continuity of care system for offenders with mental impairments, contain the full texts of those MOUs, and reflect recent revisions by the signatory agencies.

The MOU between the department and the Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) in §411.61 is revised to require the use of an assessment instrument by selected providers of services to an elderly person, a person with mental retardation, a person with a developmental disability, or a person who is suspected of being a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability. The Capacity Assessment for Self Care and Financial Management is required when the provider believes a guardian of the person or the estate may be appropriate and a referral to the appropriate court for guardianship is anticipated. The current version of the MOU requires the assessment instrument to be piloted by the department in selected settings that serve persons with mental retardation and by TDHS in selected nursing facilities. The pilot has concluded and the assessment instrument has been revised as a result of information submitted by the pilot sites and the judges who participated in the pilot. The revised MOU drops references to the pilot and requires use of the assessment instrument at all facilities specified by the two agencies. Although none of the department's state hospitals or providers of Medicaid waiver services for which the department has operating authority were included in the pilot, the department has determined that the assessment instrument is appropriate for use in those settings. The MOU also mandates the use of the assessment instrument when a court considering a guardianship for a person in one of the targeted populations requests an assessment from the provider.

The MOU between the department, TDCJ, and local mental health and mental retardation authorities in §411.62 is revised to incorporate changes made by the 75th Legislature (1997) to Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC), §614.013, which mandates the MOU. The statute, as amended, includes local community supervision and corrections departments (CSCD) as participants in the MOU. The revised MOU specifies the expectations for the local CSCDs and implements a statutory change that facilitates the exchange of confidential information about offenders between the signatory agencies. Revisions to the MOU concerning the department require collaboration with local MHMR authorities in the development of CARE system data elements to facilitate the generation of reports about offenders involved with the MHMR service delivery system; revision of department rules to include continuity of care expectations for offenders with mental illness or mental retardation; continued inclusion in the performance contract of requirements for local authorities to identify staff responsible for the coordination of referrals and access to services for eligible offenders; and receipt of referrals by local authorities of persons who meet the priority population definitions, with the understanding that those persons will be placed on a waiting list for needed services if no funding exists. Revisions concerning TDCJ require the agency to provide information about only those offenders with mental illness and mental retardation who meet the department's priority population definitions, develop a procedure to ensure that offenders have medications and/or prescriptions upon their release from TDCJ facilities, and ensure that aftercare treatment providers are provided with all pertinent medical and/or psychiatric records prior to the release of eligible offenders. Revisions concerning local authorities require collaboration with the department in the development of CARE system data elements to facilitate the generation of reports about offenders involved with the MHMR service delivery system, development and implementation of procedures for sharing information with local jail systems and CSCDs, and identification to the department's contract managers and the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (TCOMI) of local authority staff responsible for the coordination of referrals and access to services for eligible offenders with updates when staff change.

The texts of §§411.54-411.60 and 411.63 adopt by reference rules of other state agencies that contain the full texts of the referenced MOUs. Those MOUs are in various stages of review by the signatory agencies and will be revised as deemed necessary by those agencies with publication of the revised MOUs in the Texas Register for public review and comment.

The new subchapter is part of a comprehensive reorganization of chapters and subchapters within the department's portion of the Texas Administrative Code in conjunction with the sunset review required by the current Appropriations Act, Article IX, §167. This provision is continued in the Appropriations Act recently passed by the 76th Legislature and will be codified as Texas Government Code, §2001.039 (Senate Bill 178, §1.11) with an effective date of September 1, 1999.

Existing Chapter 401, Subchapter B is proposed for repeal contemporaneously in this issue of the Texas Register .

William R. Campbell, chief financial officer, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period that the subchapter, as proposed, is in effect, there should be no significant fiscal impact on state or local government as a result of enforcing the provisions. Except for the revised MOUs in §411.61 and §411.62, the new sections contain no new provisions. The volume of referrals for guardianship of individuals receiving services from the entitites described in §411.61 is not expected to increase from the current low numbers. The new provisions of the MOU in §411.62 will not require the department or local authorities to hire new staff or reassign existing staff.

Gerry McKimmey, assistant commissioner, has determined that for each year of the first five years the new subchapter as proposed is in effect, the public benefit is the existence of a concise and relevant body of policy documents that is in compliance with the legislative mandate to sunset the department's rules and with statutory requirements to enter into MOUs with various state agencies. There is no anticipated economic impact on persons or small businesses affected by the new subchapter because it imposes no new requirements on persons or small businesses. No local employment impact is anticipated as a result of adopting the subchapter as proposed.

Written comments on the proposal may be sent to Linda Logan, director, Policy Development, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, Texas 78711-2668, within 30 days of publication.

The new subchapter is proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015, which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board with broad rulemaking authority, and under the following statutes which require the department to adopt by rule the memoranda referenced in the subchapter: Texas Education Code, §29.011; Texas Family Code, §264.003; Texas Government Code, §501.093; Texas Health and Safety, §§161.133 and 533.044, and 614.013; and Texas Human Resources Code, §§22.011, 22.013, 22.014, and 81.017.

This subchapter would affect the Texas Education Code, §29.011; Texas Family Code, §264.003; Texas Government Code, §501.093; Texas Health and Safety, §§161.133 and 533.044, and 614.013; and Texas Human Resources Code, §§22.011, 22.013, 22.014, and 81.017.

§411.51. Purpose.

The purpose of this subchapter is to provide public notice of legislatively mandated memoranda of understanding and other agreements between the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) and other state agencies.

§411.52. Application.

This subchapter applies to:

(1)

facilities of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, including Central Office; and

(2)

in the case of §411.62 of this title (relating to Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Continuity of Care System for Offenders with Mental Impairments), to local mental health and mental retardation authorities.

§411.53. Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1)

Local mental health and/or mental retardation authority -- As defined in the Texas Health and Safety Code, §531.002, an entity to which the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board delegates its authority and responsibility within a specified region for planning, policy development, coordination, and resource development and allocation and for supervising and ensuring the provision of mental health to persons with mental illness and mental retardation services to persons with mental retardation in one or more local service areas.

(2)

MOU -- Memorandum of Understanding.

(3)

TAC -- Texas Administrative Code.

(4)

TDMHMR -- Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

§411.54. Memorandum of Understanding: Provision, Regulation, and Funding of Services in Hospitals and Long-Term Care Facilities.

(a)

TDMHMR adopts by reference a rule of the Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) contained in 40 TAC §72.101 (relating to Services in Hospitals and Long-term Care Institutions).

(b)

The TDHS rule contains the text of MOU between TDMHMR, TDHS, and the Texas Department of Health concerning responsibilities, procedures, and standards involved in the provision, regulation, and/or funding of services in hospitals and long-term care facilities. The MOU is required by the Texas Human Resources Code, §22.014.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.55. Memorandum of Understanding: Coordination of Services to Disabled Persons.

(a)

TDMHMR adopts by reference rules of the Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) contained in 40 TAC §§72.201-72.212 (relating to Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Coordination of Services to Persons with Disabilities).

(b)

The TDHS rule contains the text of an MOU between TDMHMR, TDHS, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Texas Department of Health, Texas Commission for the Blind, Texas Commission for the Deaf, and Texas Education Agency clarifies financial and service responsibilities of each agency in relation to disabled persons and addresses how each agency will share data relating to services to disabled persons. The MOU is required by the Texas Human Resources Code, §22.011.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.56. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Coordinated Services to Children and Youths.

(a)

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) adopts by reference a rule of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services (TDPRS) contained in 40 TAC §736.701 (relating to Memorandum of Understanding for Coordinated Services to Children and Youths).

(b)

The TDPRS rule contains the text of an MOU between TDMHMR, TDPRS, Texas Commission for the Blind, Texas Department of Health, Texas Department of Human Services, Texas Education Agency, Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, and Texas Youth Commission. The MOU implements a system of local level interagency staff groups to coordinate services for multiple problem children and youth, and is required by the Texas Family Code, §264.003.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.57. Memorandum of Understanding: Coordination of Delivery of Mental Health and Mental Retardation Services to Hearing-Impaired or Deaf Persons.

(a)

TDMHMR adopts by reference rules of the Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (TCDHH) contained in 40 TAC Chapter 181, Subchapter H (relating to Memoranda of Understanding with State Agencies).

(b)

The TCDHH rules contain the text of an MOU between TDMHMR and TCDHH concerning the coordination of delivery of mental health and mental retardation services to persons who are deaf or have a hearing impairment. The MOU is required by the Texas Human Resources Code, §81.017.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.58. Memorandum of Understanding: Coordination of Exchange and Distribution of Public Awareness Information.

(a)

TDMHMR adopts by reference a rule of the Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) contained in 40 TAC §72.301 (relating to Authorization and Requirement to Exchange and Distribute Public Awareness Information).

(b)

The TDHS rule contains the text of an MOU between TDMHMR, TDHS, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, and Texas Department of Health concerning the coordination of the exchange and distribution of public awareness information among agencies. The MOU is required by the Texas Human Resources Code, §22.013.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.59. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Transition Planning for Students Receiving Special Education Services.

(a)

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) adopts by reference a rule of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) contained in 19 TAC §89.1110 (relating to Memorandum of Understanding on Transition Planning for Students Receiving Special Education Services).

(b)

The TEA rule contains the text of an MOU between TDMHMR, TEA, Texas Workforce Commission, Texas Department of Human Services, Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, and the Commission for the Blind. The MOU concerns the provision of services necessary to prepare students enrolled in special education programs for a successful transition to life outside the public school system, and is required by the Texas Education Code, §29.011.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.60. Training Requirements for Identifying Abuse, Neglect, and Unprofessional or Unethical Conduct in Health Care Facilities.

(a)

TDMHMR adopts by reference a rule of the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (TCADA) contained in 40 TAC §148.118 (relating to Training Requirements Relating to Abuse, Neglect, and Unprofessional or Unethical Conduct).

(b)

The TCADA rule contains the text of MOU between TDMHMR, TCADA, and the Texas Department of Health concerning training requirements for identifying abuse, neglect, and unprofessional or unethical conduct in health care facilities. The MOU is required by the Texas Health and Safety Code, §161.133.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.61. Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Capacity Assessment for Self Care and Financial Management.

(a)

Introduction And Legal Authority. The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) and Texas Department of Human Services (TDHS) enter into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in accordance with Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC), §533.044. The statute requires the use of a uniform assessment tool to assess whether an elderly person, a person with mental retardation, a person with a developmental disability, or a person who is suspected of being a person with mental retardation or a developmental disability and who is receiving services in a facility regulated or operated by TDMHMR or TDHS needs a guardian of the person or estate or both. TDMHMR and TDHS agree to require the following entities, as indicated, to comply with the provisions of this MOU:

(1)

TDMHMR: state facilities; local mental retardation authorities and their contractors; and providers in the ICF/MR/RC or Medicaid waiver programs; and

(2)

TDHS: nursing facilities.

(b)

Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this section, have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1)

Capacity Assessment for Self Care and Financial Management -- The uniform capacity assessment instrument developed by TDMHMR and TDHS in compliance with THSC, §533.044, for use by providers described in subsection (a)(1) and (2) of this section to assess an individual's:

(A)

ability to make a decision and communicate that decision to others; and

(B)

capacity to:

(i)

substantially provide the individual's food, clothing, or shelter;

(ii)

care for the individual's physical health; or

(iii)

manage the individual's financial affairs.

(2)

Developmental disability (related condition) -- In accordance with the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 42, §435.1009, a severe and chronic disability that:

(A)

is attributable to:

(i)

cerebral palsy or epilepsy; or

(ii)

any other condition, other than mental illness, found to be closely related to mental retardation because the condition results in impairment of general intellectual functioning or adaptive behavior similar to that of individuals with mental retardation, and requires treatment or services similar to those required for individuals with mental retardation;

(B)

is manifested before the individual reaches age 22; and

(C)

is likely to continue indefinitely; and

(D)

results in substantial functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of major life activity:

(i)

self-care;

(ii)

understanding and use of language;

(iii)

learning;

(iv)

mobility;

(v)

self-direction; and

(vi)

capacity for independent living.

(3)

Elderly -- In accordance with Texas Human Resources Code, §102.001, sixty years of age or older.

(4)

ICF/MR/RC -- The Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with Mental Retardation or a Related Condition program which provides Medicaid-funded residential services to individuals with mental retardation or a related condition.

(5)

Individual -- A person who is receiving services from a provider and who:

(A)

is elderly; or

(B)

has mental retardation or is suspected of having mental retardation, including a person who is dually diagnosed with mental retardation and mental illness; or

(C)

has a developmental disability or is suspected of having a developmental disability.

(6)

Local mental retardation authority -- As defined in the Texas Health and Safety Code, §531.002, an entity to which the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board delegates its authority and responsibility within a specified region for planning, policy development, coordination, and resource development and allocation and for supervising and ensuring the provision of mental retardation services to consumers in one or more local service areas.

(7)

Medicaid waiver program - A home and community-based program serving people with mental retardation and/or related conditions which is operated by TDMHMR as authorized by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) in accordance with §1915(c) of the Social Security Act, including the Home and Community-based Services (HCS), Home and Community-based Waiver Services -- OBRA (HCS-O), and Mental Retardation Local Authority (MRLA) programs.

(8)

Mental retardation -- Significantly subaverage general intellectual functioning existing concurrently with deficits in adaptive behavior and manifested during the developmental period (birth to 18 years of age.)

(9)

Nursing facility -- An organization that provides organized and structured nursing care and service and is licensed under THSC, Chapter 242.

(10)

Planning team -- For providers other than nursing facilities, a group composed of the individual receiving services, the individual's legally authorized representative (LAR), actively-involved family members and friends who are invited by the individual or LAR, and professional and other support staff, that meets to assess the individual's habilitation, treatment, and service/support needs and develop strategies for enabling the individual to achieve desired outcomes.

(11)

Provider -- Those entities described in subsection (a)(1) and (2) of this section.

(12)

Professional -- A person licensed or certified by the State of Texas in a health or human services occupation or who meets TDMHMR criteria to be a case manager, service coordinator, qualified mental retardation professional, or associate psychologist.

(13)

State facilities -- State hospitals, state schools, and state centers that are operated by TDMHMR.

(c)

Capacity Assessment.

(1)

A provider will perform a capacity assessment for an individual receiving services from that provider when:

(A)

the provider believes a guardian of the person or the estate for that individual may be appropriate and a referral to the appropriate court for guardianship is anticipated; or

(B)

requested to do so by a court .

(2)

In conducting the capacity assessment, the provider will use the Capacity Assessment for Self Care and Financial Management. Copies of the Capacity Assessment for Self Care and Financial Management may be obtained by contacting the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, 512/206-4516, or from the TDHS Long Term Care Policy web site.

(d)

Performance Of Capacity Assessment. The capacity assessment will be performed:

(1)

for providers other than nursing facilities, by the professional designated by the planning team with assistance from other staff or consultants as requested by the professional or directed by the planning team; and

(2)

at nursing facilities, by the social worker with assistance from member(s) of the interdisciplinary care plan team as requested by the social worker.

(e)

Annual Review. No later than the last month of each state fiscal year, TDMHMR and TDHS shall review and modify the MOU as necessary.

§411.62. Memorandum of Understanding concerning Continuity of Care System for Offenders with Mental Impairments.

(a)

For the purpose of establishing a continuity of care system for offenders with mental illnesses or mental retardation, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR), local mental health and mental retardation authorities (MHMRAs), and local community supervision and corrections' departments (CSCD's) agree to the following:

(1)

Authority and purpose. Senate Bill 252, Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., Ch.488, 1, and House Bill 1747, Acts 1997, 75th Leg., codified as Texas Health and Safety Code, §614.013, authorizes TDCJ, TDMHMR, local MHMRAs, and CSCD's (entities) to establish a memorandum of understanding that identifies methods for:

(A)

identifying persons with mental illness or mental retardation involved in the criminal justice system;

(B)

developing interagency rules, policies and procedures for the coordination of the care of and exchange of information on persons with mental illness or mental retardation by local and state criminal justice agencies, TDMHMR, local MHMRAs, and CSCDs; and

(C)

identifying services needed by persons with mental illness or mental retardation to re-enter the community successfully.

(2)

This memorandum of understanding is intended to implement a continuity of care system for offenders with mental illness or mental retardation in the criminal justice system, using funds appropriated for that purpose.

(b)

All entities agree to the extent possible to:

(1)

follow the statutory provisions in Texas Health and Safety Code, §614.017, relating to the exchange of information (including electronic) about offenders with mental illness or mental retardation for the purpose of providing or coordinating services among the entities;

(2)

develop a system and a procedure that describes the agencies' role in the pre-release and post-release planning process for persons with mental illness or mental retardation;

(3)

develop procedures that provide for the preparation of assessments or diagnostics prior to the imposition of community supervision, incarceration, or parole, and the transfer of such diagnostics between local and state entities prior to release from incarceration;

(4)

submit to the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (Council) a list of contact staff who are responsible for responding to referrals and/or issues regarding persons with mental illness or mental retardation;

(5)

participate in cross training and/or educational events targeted for improving each agency's knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice and mental health/mental retardation systems' roles and responsibilities;

(6)

inform each other of any proposed rule or standards changes which could affect the continuity of care system. Each agency shall be afforded 30 days after receipt of proposed change(s) to respond to the recommendations prior to the adoption;

(7)

provide on-going status reports to the Council on the implementation of initiatives outlined in this MOU;

(8)

actively seek federal funds to operate and/or expand the service capability;

(9)

develop a technical assistance manual that describes the criminal justice and mental health/mental retardation service delivery systems, and the role and responsibilities of each agency.

(c)

TDCJ, to the extent possible, shall:

(1)

design an information base for exchange purposes, that provides the following information:

(A)

the number of offenders with a priority population diagnosis of mental illness or mental retardation who are on community supervision, incarcerated, or on parole;

(B)

the county of residence to which these individuals reside or will return to upon release from incarceration;

(C)

the type and level of offense with which the offender has been charged and convicted;

(D)

the diagnoses including psychiatric, medical, and mental retardation;

(E)

any other information deemed necessary to be consistent with the intent of this agreement.

(2)

develop a procedure to ensure that clients or offenders have medications and/or prescriptions upon their release from incarceration from TDCJ facilities;

(3)

ensure that aftercare treatment providers are provided with all pertinent medical and/or psychiatric records prior to the client or offenders release from TDCJ facilities.

(d)

TDMHMR, to the extent possible, shall:

(1)

Collaborate with local authorities in the development of CARE system data elements which are within the capacity of the MHMR system to generate reports about offenders with a mental illness or mental retardation referred, served, and discharged from service;

(2)

Express in departmental rules continuity of care expectations for persons with mental illness and/or mental retardation involved in the criminal justice system;

(3)

maintain in the performance contracts requirements for local MH/MR authorities to identify those staff members (primary and alternates) responsible for the coordination of referrals and access to service for persons with mental illness or mental retardation involved with or referred from the state and/or local criminal justice systems; and

(4)

receive referrals on any person with mental illness or mental retardation who meets the priority population definition and is in need of MH/MR treatment services, with the understanding that if no funding exists they would be on a waiting list until services are available.

(e)

Local MHMRAs, to the extent possible, shall:

(1)

Collaborate with TDMHMR in the development of CARE system data elements which are within the capacity of the MHMR system to generate reports about offenders with MI/MR referred, served, and discharged from services;

(2)

Develop and implement procedures with the local jail and CSCD which address respective responsibilities for sharing information and which specifically address the following circumstances:

(A)

offenders whose status is that of a convicted felon or deferred adjudication and offender consent to release information is not necessary per §614.017 of the Texas Health and Safety Code;

(B)

offenders from whom consent to release information is required; and

(C)

offenders from whom consent to release information is required but circumstances exist which meet the provisions of Chapter 611 of the Texas Health and Safety Code allowing release of information without consent;

(3)

Identify by September 30, 1998, to the State Authority Contract Manager and the Texas Council on Offenders with Mental Impairments (TCOMI), those staff members (primary and alternates) responsible for the coordination of referrals and access to services for persons with mental illness or mental retardation involved with or referred from the state and/or local criminal justice systems. This information must be updated with the department and TCOMI when assigned staff change; and

(4)

receive referrals on any person with mental illness or mental retardation who meets the priority population definition and is in need of mental health and mental retardation treatment services, with the understanding that if no funding exists they would be on a waiting list until services are available.

(f)

CSCDs, to the extent possible, shall:

(1)

provide information to local MHMRAs concerning persons who are under community supervision and are served by said entities;

(2)

track the number of referrals to local MHMRAs;

(3)

monitor the number of persons supervised by CSCDs who are on MHMR waiting lists who become re-involved in the criminal justice system;

(4)

initiate referrals on any person with mental illness or mental retardation who meets the priority population definition and is in need of MHMR treatment services, with the understanding that if no funding exists they would be on a waiting list until services are available;

(5)

identify barriers and gaps in services which should be identified in the community justice plan of each respective CSCD; and

(6)

coordinate with local MHMR authorities to access available information, including the CARE System, on offenders with mental illness or mental retardation.

(g)

Review And Monitoring.

(1)

TDMHMR, TDCJ, the local MHMRAs, and local CSCDs shall jointly monitor implementation of the continuity of care system as outlined in this Memorandum of Understanding. The intent of all agencies is to provide timely communication, discussion and resolution of transitional problems should any occur.

(2)

This MOU shall be adopted by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, the boards of trustees of community MHMR centers and local CSCDs. Subsequent to adoption, all parties to this memorandum shall annually review this memorandum and provide status reports to the Council. Amendments to this memorandum of understanding may be made at any time by mutual agreement of the parties.

(3)

The Council will serve as the dispute resolution mechanism for conflicts concerning this MOU at both the local and statewide level.

§411.63. Interagency Coordination of Special Education Services to Students with Disabilities in Residential Care Facilities.

(a)

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) adopts by reference a rule of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in 19 TAC §89.1115 (relating to Memorandum of Understanding Concerning Interagency Coordination of Special Education Services to Students with Disabilities in Residential Care Facilities).

(b)

The TEA rule contains the text of an MOU between TDMHMR, TEA, Texas Department of Human Services, Texas Department of Health, Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention, Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, and Texas Youth Commission. The MOU concerns the provision of a free and appropriate education for school-age residents of residential care facilities, and was developed at the direction of the Texas Senate Committee on Health and Human Services, 73rd Texas Legislature, 1993.

(c)

Copies of the MOU are filed in the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, 909 West 45th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, and may be reviewed during regular business hours.

§411.75. Distribution.

The provisions of this subchapter shall be distributed to:

(1)

members of the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board;

(2)

executive, management and program staff in the TDMHMR's Central Office;

(3)

superintendents/directors of TDMHMR facilities;

(4)

executive directors of all state-operated community services;

(5)

executive directors of all local MHMRAs;

(6)

chairs of boards of trustees of community mental health and mental retardation centers;

(7)

interested advocates and advocacy organizations; and

(8)

state agencies and other entities who are parties to the memoranda referenced in this subchapter.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State, on July 12, 1999.

TRD-9904184

Charles Cooper

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: August 22, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 206-4516