TITLE 25.HEALTH SERVICES

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

Chapter 14. COUNTY INDIGENT HEALTH CARE PROGRAM

The Texas Department of Health (department) proposes amendments to §§14.1, 14.2, 14.102, 14.103, 14.104, 14.105, 14.107, 14.201, 14.202, 14.203, 14.204 and new §14.109 concerning the County Indigent Health Care Program (CIHCP).

The proposed amendment to §14.1 will comply with state law, simplify program administration, and make minor clarifications. To comply with state law, §14.1 clarifies the distribution of state assistance funds to eligible counties based on a maximum annual allocation. To simplify program administration, word changes have been made concerning a county's submission of their General Revenue Tax Levy (GRTL) report and the loss of eligibility for state assistance funds if their GRTL report is not received timely by the State Property Tax Board.

Proposed §14.2 simplifies program administration concerning eligibility disputes.

The proposed amendments to §§14.102, 14.103, 14.104, and 14.105 will comply with state law, be analogous with the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, and correct minor spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. Specifically, the proposed amendment to §14.104, which is a result of House Bill 2602 passed by the 77th Legislature, 2001, maintains the current net monthly income limit of 21% of the Federal Poverty Income Limit (FPIL). The proposed amendment to §14.105 makes wording changes concerning the resource value of prepaid burial insurance policies and real property to be analogous with the TANF program.

In §14.107, changes have been proposed to simplify program administration concerning appeal hearings and fraud hearings.

The proposed amendment to §14.201, which is a result of House Bill 2446, passed by the 77th Legislature, 2001, allows counties to choose emergency medical services as an optional service.

Proposed amendments to §§14.202, 14.203, and 14.204 include wording changes and minor punctuation, capitalization, and acronym changes to make minor clarifications.

The department proposes new §14.109 concerning employment services. These rules are proposed to comply with state law. Specifically the new section covers the county option to implement an employment services program, guidelines to be used if a county implements an employment services program, the allowable exemptions, and the disqualification periods for non-compliance.

Neva Klotz, Budget Director, has determined that for each year of the first five-year period the sections are in effect, there will be no fiscal implications on state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections as proposed.

Ms. Klotz has also determined that for the first five years the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated will be simplified administration of the program and compliance with state law. There will be no impact on small businesses or micro-businesses to comply with these sections as described. This was determined by interpretation of the rules that small businesses and micro-businesses will not be required to alter their business practices in order to comply with the rules as proposed. There are no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the sections as proposed. There is no anticipated impact on local employment.

A public hearing on the proposed sections will be held at 10:00 a.m. on September 21, 2001, in the Public Hearing Room, Texas Department of Health, 12555 Riata Vista Circle, Austin, Texas to accept comments on the proposal.

Comments on the proposed sections may be submitted to Kathy McCormick, Program Specialist, Indigent Health Care Division, Texas Department of Health, Mail Code Y-990, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756-6405, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

Subchapter A. COUNTY PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

25 TAC §14.1, §14.2

The sections are proposed under Health and Safety Code Chapter 61 and Human Resources Code Chapters 22 and 32. The department has rule making authority for CIHCP under Health and Safety Code Chapter 61.

The proposed sections affect the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code Chapters 22 and 32.

§14.1.County Program Administration.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) General administrative requirements. Each county required to administer a program must:

(1) provide public notice and make a reasonable effort to notify the public, not later than [ at ] the beginning of the state's fiscal year, of the county's eligibility standards, and the county's application, documentation, and verification procedures and the verification and documentation procedures that applicants must comply with to establish eligibility;

(2) - (13) (No change.)

(d) (No change.)

(e) State assistance fund.

(1) - (3) (No change.)

(4) The department distributes funds to eligible counties based on a maximum annual allocation [ for each county potentially eligible for state assistance ], subject to funding. [ The maximum annual allocation for each county will be based on such factors as spending history, population, and the number of residents living below the Federal Poverty Income Limit. The maximum annual allocation will be recomputed at least every six months. The minimum annual allocation, subject to funding, will be no less than the average of what a county would have received in state fiscal years 1997, 1998, 1999 at the 8.0% GRTL threshold with a 90% state match. At the end of the state fiscal year the department may reallocate the distribution of money to eligible counties. ]

(A) The maximum annual allocations will be based on such factors as spending history, population, and the number of residents living below the Federal Poverty Income Limit.

(B) The maximum annual allocations will be recomputed at least every six months.

(C) 85% of the state assistance fund will be allocated to the counties that actually were eligible and received state assistance funds the prior state fiscal year.

(D) The remaining amount will be held in reserve for other potentially eligible counties.

(E) The department may reallocate the reserve of money to eligible counties.

(F) No county can be approved for more than 40% of available state assistance funds within a state fiscal year.

(G) No county can be approved for more than 5.0% of the available state assistance funds in any given month.

(f) Eligibility requirements for counties applying for state assistance.

(1) Each county that plans to credit expenditures toward [ towards ] eligibility for the state assistance fund must:

(A) - (I) (No change.)

(J) report the county's GRTL, as shown in county records on July 31 of each year, to the State Property Tax Board not [ no ] later than October 1 of the same year. If part of the county is served by a hospital district, request the county appraisal district to determine the GRTL of county property located [ propertylocated ] outside the area served by a hospital district. If this report is not received by the State Property Tax Board by December 1 of the same year, a county may not be eligible for state assistance funds that state fiscal year.

(2) Counties may not credit payments for the following toward [ towards ] eligibility for the state assistance fund :

(A) - (F) (No change.)

(3) Counties may also credit toward eligibility for the state assistance fund the value of health care services credited or paid in a state fiscal year and provided to county residents eligible under the eligibility and payment standards established by the department in Subchapters B, C, and D of this chapter (relating to Determining Eligibility, Providing Services, and Case [ Care ] Management) under the following types of contracts:

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(g) Determining county eligibility for state assistance.

(1) Within 30 days from the date the department receives written notification that the county expended 6.0% of its GRTL for basic and department approved optional services for eligible residents, the department must:

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(C) provide information relevant to a department audit of the county's [ country's ] financial accounting system.

(2) (No change.)

(h) (No change.)

(i) The department administration of state assistance funds. The following procedures are established to assist the department in its administration of state assistance funds and to assist counties in the management of their programs.

(1) (No change.)

(2) After a county reaches the 8.0% expenditure level, the county must contact the department by telephone to encumber available state assistance funds to match expenditures that the commissioners court will be asked to authorize.

(A) (No change.)

(B) The county must complete the State of Texas purchase voucher form, enter "For reimbursement from the state assistance fund provided under the County Indigent Health Care Program (the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 61). The payee agrees to repay any funds paid in error and acknowledges the state's authority to collect any funds paid in error." and the approval code number for the encumbered funds on the voucher, and submit the voucher to the department within 30 days after the commissioner's court authorizes the expenditures. The county judge must sign and date the purchase voucher and enter his or her telephone number. If the county does not submit the purchase voucher within the 30-day period, the encumbered state assistance funds become unencumbered and are reallocated to the remaining counties .

(3) The department prepares a weekly report on the status of the state assistance fund after 75% [ 50% ] of the fund is expended, and the department sends the report to counties that reported reaching the 6.0% expenditure level.

(4) - (5) (No change.)

§14.2.Eligibility Disputes [ and Fraud ].

(a) - (e) (No change.)

[(f) If a county discovers that a household intentionally misrepresented information to receive benefits, the county may recover the funds through household restitution or court action. Counties may consult with the county attorney to develop a procedure for administering suspected fraud cases.]

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 August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104843

Susan Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236


Subchapter B. DETERMINING ELIGIBILITY

25 TAC §§14.102 - 14.105, 14.107, 14.109

The sections are proposed under Health and Safety Code Chapter 61 and Human Resources Code Chapters 22 and 32. The department has rule making authority for CIHCP under Health and Safety Code Chapter 61.

The proposed sections affect the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code Chapters 22 and 32.

§14.102.Residency.

(a) - (d) (No change.)

(e) A person cannot qualify for county health care assistance from more than one county simultaneously [ imultaneously ].

(f) - (g) (No change.)

§14.103.Household Determinations.

(a) (No change.)

(b) An inmate in a county jail or a non-TANF [ non-AFDC ] foster care child qualifies as a household if the inmate or the child meets all other eligibility criteria. A foster child in the managing conservatorship of a licensed privately funded 24-hour child care facility does not qualify for county health care assistance.

(c) - (k) (No change.)

§14.104.Income.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Types of Income. Eligibility staff must count or exempt types of income as follows:

(1) Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits. These benefits are exempt [ exempted ].

(2) (No change.)

(3) Cash contributions. Cash contributions are counted as unearned income, but are exempt [ exempted ] if they are irregular and unpredictable.

(4) (No change.)

(5) Child's earned income. A child's earned income is exempt [ exempted ] if the child is a full-time student or a part-time student employed less than 30 hours a week.

(6) - (7) (No change.)

(8) Disqualified household member's earned and unearned income. This income is exempt [ exempted ].

(9) (No change.)

(10) Educational assistance. This assistance is exempt [ exempted ]. These payments include aid from the United States Office of Education for undergraduate, vocational, or education courses. Some examples of the most common forms of educational assistance are Pell grants, Stafford Loan Program, Parent Loans for Students, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, College Work Study, and Carl D. Perkins Loans. Exempt educational assistance including loans (regardless of the source).

(11) Energy assistance. Energy assistance from federally- funded [ federally funded ], state-administered programs (HEAP), weatherization, energy crisis intervention) is exempt [ exempted ]. Utility supplement payments from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) or local housing authorities, whether they are in the form of vendor payments, in-kind income, or cash payments, are exempt [ exempted ]. Energy assistance from private, nonprofit, or government agencies that make payments based on need is exempt [ exempted ]. If an energy assistance payment is combined with other payments, only the energy assistance portion of the payment is exempt [ exempted ].

(12) Foster care payments. These payments are exempt [ exempted ].

(13) (No change.)

(14) In-kind income. In-kind income (any gain or benefit that is not in the form of money payable directly to the household) is exempt [ exempted ].

(15) (No change.)

(16) Job training. Payments made under the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) are exempt [ exempted ], except On The Job (OJT) payments funded under Title II, Section 204(#) of the WIA are earned income and counted for adults. OJT payments are exempt if received by a child who is under 19 and under parental control of another household member.

(17) - (19) (No change.)

(20) Other supplemental job training and training allowance payments. Job training and training allowance payments from agencies that are for training-related expenses are exempt [ exempted ].

(21) - (24) (No change.)

(25) Supplemental Security Income [ security income ] (SSI) payments. These payments are exempt [ exempted ].

(26) - (27) (No change.)

(28) Third-party payments. These payments are exempt [ exempted ] if the money is intended and used for the maintenance of a nonmember. If a single payment is received for more than one beneficiary, the amount actually used for the nonmember up to the nonmember's identifiable portion or prorated portion, if the portion is not identifiable, is excluded.

(29) - (30) (No change.)

(31) Vendor payments. These payments are exempt [ exempted ] if made by a person or organization outside the household directly to the household's creditor or person providing the service.

(32) Veterans Administration (VA) benefits. These benefits are counted as unearned income. Benefits that meet a special need are exempt [ exempted ].

(33) - (34) (No change.)

(35) Unusual types of benefits/payments. Benefits/payments from the following programs are exempt [ exempted ]:

(A) - (I) (No change.)

(d) Net income test and deductions. The net income test is used to determine eligibility.

(1) Net income test. Net monthly income is gross monthly income minus allowable deductions. A household is eligible if its net monthly income, after rounding down cents, is not more than [ 17% FPIL until 12-31-2000, ] 21% FPIL [ 1-1-2001 until 12-31-2001, and 25% FPIL beginning 1-1-2002 ] for the household's size. All households must pass the net income test.

(2) (No change.)

(e) - (f) (No change.)

§14.105.Resources.

(a) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Types of resources. The following resources are countable or exempt. Eligibility staff must count the equity value of any resource not specifically exempt [ exempted ] in this subsection.

(1) Burial plots are exempt [ exempted ].

(2) A household's homestead is exempt [ exempted ]. A homestead is the household's usual residence and surrounding property which is not separated by property owned by others. The exemption remains in effect if the surrounding property is separated from the home by public rights of way. If the household intends to return, eligibility staff must exempt a homestead temporarily unoccupied because of employment, training or future employment, illness, casualty, or natural disaster. Real property outside of Texas cannot be claimed as a homestead. Households which currently do not own a home, but own or are purchasing a lot on which they intend to build or are building a permanent home, receive an exemption for the lot and, if partially completed, for the home. Eligibility staff must count money remaining from the sale of a homestead as a resource.

(3) Inaccessible resources are exempt [ exempted ].

(4) Jointly-owned [ Jointly owned ] property is exempt [ exempted ] if the property is jointly owned by the household and other owners and the household provides proof that:

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(5) Trust funds are exempt [ exempted ].

(6) - (7) (No change.)

(8) Keogh plans are counted as a resource. If there is a penalty for early withdrawal, eligibility staff must deduct the early withdrawal penalty and count the remainder as a resource. Exception: Do not count Keogh [ keogh ] plans as resources if there is a contractual withdrawal agreement with other people who are not household members and who share the same fund. This type of Keogh [ keogh ] plan is considered an inaccessible resource.

(9) Life insurance is exempt [ exempted ].

(10) - (11) (No change.)

(12) Personal possessions are exempt [ exempted ].

(13) Up to $1,500 cash value of a prepaid [ Prepaid ] burial insurance policy [ policies ], funeral plan [ plans ], or funeral agreement [ agreements up to $1,500 (one per ] for each certified member [ member) ] is exempt [ are exempted ].

(14) Exempt real property if the household is making a good faith effort to sell it. [ Real property is counted unless the household is making a good faith effort to sell it. At the county's option, eligibility staff may exempt the household's real property if the household agrees to a legally enforceable obligation to reimburse the county for all or part of the services received. The county and household must negotiate the terms of the obligation. ]

(15) - (18) (No change.)

(19) Resources of disqualified persons are exempt [ exempted ].

(20) (No change.)

(e)-(g) (No change.)

Appeal and Fraud Hearings. [ Notification and Appeals. ] (a) Appeal Hearing .

(1) [ (a) ] Individuals have the right to appeal denial of their application or eligibility.

(2) Counties shall establish written procedures for appeal hearings, which shall provide for appropriate due process.

(b) Fraud Hearing.

(1) Counties shall establish written procedures for fraud hearings, which shall provide for appropriate due process.

(2) If it is determined that the household intentionally misrepresented information to receive benefits, counties may impose fraud disqualifications as contained in the county's written procedures.

[(b) Counties may adapt, for use in their program, the Texas Department of Health (department) fair hearings and notifications procedures contained in the department's Fair Hearings, Fraud, and Civil Rights Handbook, or develop their own rules and procedures for fair hearings and notifications.]

§14.109.Employment Services.

(a) Employment Services. Counties have the option of implementing an employment services program.

(b) The following are guidelines to be used if a county implements an employment services program.

(1) Notify all CIHCP eligible residents and those with pending applications of the program requirements at least 30 days before the program begins.

(2) Allow an exemption from employment services if applicants or CIHCP eligible residents meet one of the following criteria:

(A) receive food stamp benefits;

(B) receive unemployoment insurance benefits or have applied but not yet been notified of eligibility (both food stamp and unemployment insurance benefits require recipients to register for work with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) and report for job interviews and accept suitable offers of employment);

(C) physically or mentally unfit for employment. The county may require proof, such as a doctor's statement, before allowing this exemption;

(D) undocumented alien (because an undocumented alien cannot legally register for work with TWC);

(E) distance from the applicant's or CIHCP eligible resident's home to available employment or training resources is too remote. Too remote means that the distance from the applicant's or CIHCP eligible resident's home to the job or training requires commuting time of more than two hours a day (not including taking a child to and from a child care facility); or prohibits walking, and transportation is not available;

(F) age 15 or younger;

(G) age 16, 17, or 18 and attending elementary, secondary, vocational, or technical school full time;

(H) age 60 or older;

(I) a parent or other household member who personally provides care for a child under age 6 or a disabled person of any age living with the CIHCP household;

(J) employed or self employed at least 30 hours per week, or receive earnings equal to 30 hours per week multiplied by the federal minimum wage;

(K) migrant or seasonal farm worker under contract or similar agreement with employer or crew chief to begin work within 30 days;

(L) full-time volunteer for the Volunteers In Service To America (VISTA) program; or

(M) pregnant.

(3) An applicant or CIHCP eligible resident is considered non-exempt if he or she does not meet one of the above-listed exemptions. A non-exempt applicant or CIHCP eligible resident must register for work with TWC and may be required to report for job interviews and accept an offer of suitable employment. In order to track job search activities (reporting for interviews and accepting an offer of suitable employment), individual contracts or agreements may be necessary between the local TWC office and the county.

(4) If a non-exempt applicant or CIHCP eligible resident fails without good cause to comply with employment services requirements, disqualify him or her from CIHCP benefits:

(A) for one month or until her or she agrees to comply, whichever is later, for the first non-compliance;

(B) for three consecutive months or until he or she agrees to comply,whichever is later, for the second non-compliance;

(C) for six consecutive months or until he or she agrees to comply, whichever is later, for the third or subsequent non-compliance;

(5) Counties, who wish to set up an optional employment services program, should contact their local TWC office to determine how to set up their program and negotiate what type of information can be provided.

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 August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104844

Susan Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236


Subchapter C. PROVIDING SERVICES

25 TAC §§14.201 - 14.204

The sections are proposed under Health and Safety Code Chapter 61 and Human Resources Code Chapters 22 and 32. The department has rule making authority for CIHCP under Health and Safety Code Chapter 61.

The proposed sections affect the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 61, Human Resources Code Chapters 22 and 32.

§14.201.Required and Optional Services, and Their Definitions.

(a) (No change.)

(b) The following services are optional services. A county must notify the department of the county's intent to provide any of the following services prior to the beginning of a state fiscal year. If the services are approved by the department or if the department fails to notify the county of the department's disapproval before the 31st day after the date the department receives the county's request, the county may credit the services toward eligibility for state assistance for the state fiscal year following the date of the request. A county must notify the department in writing if they decide to discontinue providing any of the optional services that were department approved. (For state fiscal year 2000 only, a county must notify the department of the county's intent to provide any of the following services within 45 days of the final adoption of these rules. If approved by the department, the county may credit these services toward eligibility for state assistance the month following the date of the approval.)

(1) - (13) (No change.)

(14) Emergency Medical Services. When the client's condition is life-threatening and requires the use of special equipment, life support systems, and close monitoring by trained attendants while en route to the nearest appropriate facility, ground ambulance transport is an emergency service.

§14.202.Exclusions and Limitations.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Specific exclusions. The following specific services or supplies are excluded from basic and department approved optional services:

(1) - (5) (No change.)

(6) prosthetic or orthotic [ orthodontic ] devices;

(7) - (15) (No change.)

(16) hearing aids ; [ . ]

(17) chiropractors.

(d) - (g) (No change.)

§14.203.Payments for Basic and Department Approved Optional Services.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) The payment standards for the individual basic and department approved optional services are as follows:

(1) (No change.)

(2) Physician, family planning, laboratory, and x-ray services. The payment standard for the procedures the department identifies as the most-commonly [ most commonly ] performed procedures in the Medicaid program is the Texas Medicaid payment for the procedure.

(A) - (B) (No change.)

(3) Prescribed drugs. The reimbursement rate is the Redbook [ redbook ] wholesale price minus 10%, plus the basic dispensing fee established by the department in accordance with Human Resources Code Chapter 32 .

[(4) Family planning clinic services. The reimbursement rate is the fee established by the department for the Medicaid Family Planning Program.]

(4) [ (5) ] Skilled nursing facility care. The reimbursement rate is the skilled facility daily rate established by the department for the Medicaid program.

(5) [ (6) ] Rural health clinic (RHC) services. The reimbursement rate is the fee established by the department for the Medicaid program.

(6) [ (7) ] Payments for department approved optional services will be based on Texas Medicaid Program rates.

(d) (No change.)

§14.204.Services and Payment Liability, Limitations, and Options.

(a) - (g) (No change.)

(h) Only counties not fully served by a public hospital or hospital district may submit claims for Texas Medicaid or Vendor Drug Program reimbursement to the department for basic and department approved optional services provided to an otherwise eligible SSI/SSDI appellant if the services are furnished by a Title XIX-enrolled provider; if the SSI/SSDI appellant is later determined to be retroactively eligible for SSI/Medicaid; and the appellant and the provider assign reimbursement rights by completing the appellant/provider assignment form.

(1) - (2) (No change.)

(3) The county determines the Medicaid eligibility status of all eligible residents who are also SSI/SSDI appellants by using the [ National Heritage Insurance Company (NHIC) ] automated inquiry system established by the state [ (NAIS) ] at least once a month.

(A) To use the automated inquiry system [ NAIS ], the county requests a telephone access code number from the department in writing. Upon receipt of the county's written request, the department sends the county the access code number and instructions for using the automated inquiry system [ NAIS ] toll-free number from a touch-tone telephone.

(B) The automated inquiry system [ NAIS ] provides the county with information about the SSI/SSDI appellant's current Medicaid eligibility.

(C) The county must follow all procedures established by the department for CIHCP counties accessing the automated inquiry system [ NAIS ].

(4) - (5) (No change.)

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 August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104845

Susan Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236


Chapter 97. COMMUNICABLE DISEASES

Subchapter B. IMMUNIZATION REQUIREMENTS IN TEXAS ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION

25 TAC §97.63

The Texas Department of Health (department) proposes an amendment to §97.63, concerning immunization requirements for Texas child-care facilities, elementary and secondary schools and institutions of higher education. Specifically, this amendment requires hepatitis A vaccination for children in child-care facilities, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and first grade in geographic areas when the incidence rate of hepatitis A during a representative period of time of no less than 180 days has reached a rate at least twice the national average, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices.

Linda S. Linville, M.S., R.N., Chief, Bureau Immunization and Pharmacy Support, has determined that the department requires greater flexibility to respond to increased incidence rates of hepatitis A disease in geographic areas specified by the department as those rates increase to a minimum of twice the national average, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. In addition, Senate Bill 1 General Appropriations Act, Article II, Rider 49, titled "Hepatitis A Immunization in Counties of High Incidence" was enacted by the 77th Legislature mandating Hepatitis A vaccination in the following high incidence counties: Bailey, Bee, Bexar, Brown, Cochran, Comal, Dallam, Dallas, Dawson, Deaf Smith, Ector, Gaines, Glasscock, Grayson, Hale, Harris, Hidalgo, Hood, Karnes, Knox, Lamb, Maverick, Medina, Moore, Nueces, Oldham, Potter, Roberts, Runnels, Terry, Travis, Upton, Ward, and Yoakum.

Ms. Linville has determined that for the first five-year period that the section will be in effect there will be fiscal implications as a result of enforcing and administering the section as proposed. The total cost to state government of immunizing the cohort of children susceptible to hepatitis A who are expected to attend child-care facilities and schools in counties that currently qualify under the proposed requirement will be approximately $400,000 per fiscal year. Currently there are at least 34 counties at or near the threshold for incidence rates that would require vaccination. Much of the cost of vaccinating children against hepatitis A in many of the qualifying counties is already being expended in voluntary local vaccination programs. Cost to local government should not be substantial, with most new costs originating in the increased operating expenses required to serve a larger number of children. School districts and private schools will be required to monitor their student populations for compliance with the new requirement without absorbing any significant fiscal impact.

Ms. Linville has also determined that for each year of the first five years that the section is in effect the public benefits anticipated as a result of enforcing and administering the section as proposed will emerge as fewer outbreaks of hepatitis A occur. Public benefits will continue to accrue since greater protection levels translate into lower incidence rates for hepatitis A and reduced treatment costs for hepatitis A infection. No costs to small business or micro-business are expected. No impact on local employment is expected. Health benefit plans will be affected by this proposed rule, which increases the number of vaccines and vaccinations for which they are required to provide first-dollar coverage. Health-care providers who administer uncompensated vaccination and private-pay parents will experience increased costs for vaccine and vaccine administration. These visits are estimated to cost $90 on average.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Janie Garcia, Immunization Division, Texas Department of Health, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, Texas 78756, (512) 458-7284, or (800) 252-9152. Comments will be accepted for 30 days following publication of this proposal in the Texas Register .

This amendment is proposed under Health and Safety Code §81.023, which requires the Board of Health (board) to develop immunization requirements for children; Education Code §38.001, which allows the board to develop immunization requirements for admission to any elementary or secondary school; Education Code §51.933, which allows the board to develop immunization requirements for students at any institution of higher education who are pursuing a course of study in a health profession; Texas Human Resources Code, §42.043, which requires the department to make rules regarding the immunization of children admitted to child-care facilities; and Health and Safety Code §12.001, which provides the board with the authority to adopt rules for the performance of every duty imposed by law on the board, the department and the commissioner of health.

This section affects Health and Safety Code §81.023; Texas Education Code, §§38.001, 51.933; and Human Resources Code §42.043.

§97.63.Required Immunizations

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) The following immunizations are required in the respective age groupings. A child or student must meet all the immunization requirements specific to an age group upon first entering the age group. Implementation of requirements for hepatitis B vaccine for adolescents and varicella vaccine and hepatitis A for all ages is contingent upon the appropriation of funds to the department for these purposes. By July 1 of each odd-numbered year, the department will publish a statement on whether or not these vaccines have been funded and are required as specified.

(1) Children less than five years of age: polio vaccine; diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) or diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine; measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR); Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine (HibCV), hepatitis A, and varicella vaccine.

(A) - (E) (No change.)

(F) Children 15 months of age, but not yet five years of age (15 months through four years of age):

(i) - (v) (No change.)

(vi) no later then August 1, 2000, children subject to these requirements as described in §97.61 (relating to Children and Students Included in Requirements) must comply with the following requirement for hepatitis A vaccine if the facility, school or institution attended is located in any of the following counties: Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmitt, Duval, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, McMullen, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala. Serologic confirmation of immunity to hepatitis A or serologic evidence of infection is acceptable in lieu of vaccine. In addition to the above hepatitis A vaccine requirements, the Texas Department of Health (department) pursuant to the requirements of Health and Safety Code §81.023 shall require hepatitis A vaccine for children residing in other geographic areas specified by the department when the incidence rate of hepatitis A during a representative period of time of no less than 180 days has reached the rate at least twice the national average, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Serologic confirmation of immunity to hepatitis A or serologic evidence of infection is acceptable in lieu of vaccine. For further information, see §97.67 of this title. Doses of hepatitis A vaccine are required as follows:

(I) -(II) (No change.)

(2) Children and students five years of age or older.

(A) - (G) (No change.)

(H) Hepatitis A. Effective August 1, 1999, children subject to these requirements as described in §97.61 of this title (relating to Children and Students Included in Requirements) must comply with the following requirement for hepatitis A vaccine if the facility, school or institution attended is located in any of the following counties: Brewster, Brooks, Cameron, Crockett, Culberson, Dimmitt, Duval, Edwards, El Paso, Frio, Hidalgo, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, Jim Hogg, Kenedy, Kinney, La Salle, Maverick, McMullen, Pecos, Presidio, Real, Reeves, Starr, Sutton, Terrell, Uvalde, Val Verde, Webb, Willacy, Zapata, and Zavala. Serologic confirmation of immunity to hepatitis A or serologic evidence of infection is acceptable in lieu of vaccine. In addition to the above hepatitis A vaccine requirements, the department pursuant to the requirements of Health and Safety Code §81.023 shall require hepatitis A vaccine for children residing in other geographic areas specified by the department when the incidence rate of hepatitis A during a representative period of time of no less than 180 days has reached the rate at least twice the national average, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. Serologic confirmation of immunity to hepatitis A or serologic evidence of infection is acceptable in lieu of vaccine. For further information, see §97.67 of this title. Children and students born on or after September 2, 1992, will be required to have received two doses of hepatitis A vaccine administered on or after their second birthday.

(3) (No change.)

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 August 17, 2001.

TRD-200104833

Susan Steeg

General Counsel

Texas Department of Health

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236


Part 2. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION

Chapter 415. PROVIDER CLINICAL RESPONSIBILITIES

Subchapter C. USE AND MAINTENANCE OF TDMHMR DRUG FORMULARY

25 TAC §§415.101 - 415.114

(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 (TDMHMR) proposes the repeals of §§415.101 - 415.114 of Chapter 415, Subchapter C, concerning use and maintenance of TDMHMR Drug Formulary . New §§415.101 - 415.114 of Chapter 415, Subchapter C, concerning the same, which would replace the repealed sections, are contemporaneously proposed in this issue of the Texas Register .

The repeals would allow for the adoption of new sections governing the same matters.

The subchapter is proposed for repeal as part of the reorganization of the TDMHMR rule base to reflect current operational and organizational relationships. The contemporaneous adoption and repeal of these subchapters would fulfill the requirements of the Texas Government Code, §2001.039, concerning the periodic review of agency rules.

Cindy Brown, chief financial officer, has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed repeals are in effect, the proposed repeals do not have foreseeable significant implications relating to cost or revenue of the state or local governments.

Steven Shon, M.D., medical director, has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed repeals are in effect, the public benefit expected as a result of the adoption of the new rules is the ability to continue specific drug treatment from inpatient to outpatient settings as well as the assurance that individuals receiving community-based mental health and mental retardation services funded by TDMHMR have access to the same drug treatment as individuals receiving services in TDMHMR facilities. It is anticipated that there would be no economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed repeals.

It is anticipated that the proposed repeals will not affect a local economy.

It is anticipated that the proposed repeals will not have an adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro businesses because new rules, which would not significantly alter requirements for small business or micro businesses, are proposed to replace the repealed 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.

These sections are proposed for repeal under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board (board) with broad rulemaking authority, and §534.052, which requires the board to adopt rules it considers necessary and appropriate to ensure the adequate provision of community-based mental health and mental retardation services through a local authority.

These proposed sections would affect the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a) and §534.052.

§415.101.Purpose.

§415.102.Application.

§415.103.Definitions.

§415.104.General Requirements.

§415.105.Organization of TDMHMR Drug Formulary.

§415.106.Executive Formulary Committee.

§415.107.Responsibilities of the Executive Formulary Committee.

§415.108.Applying to Have a Drug Added to the Formulary.

§415.109.Changing the TDMHMR Drug Formulary.

§415.110.Prescribing Non-formulary Drugs.

§415.111.Adverse Drug Reactions.

§415.112.Exhibit.

§415.113.References.

§415.114.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 August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104891

Andrew Hardin

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 206-5216


25 TAC §§415.101 - 415.114

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) proposes new §§415.101 - 415.114 of Chapter 415, Subchapter C, concerning use and maintenance of TDMHMR Drug Formulary . Existing §§415.101 - 415.114 of Chapter 415, Subchapter C, concerning the same, which the new sections would replace, are contemporaneously proposed for repeal in this issue of the Texas Register .

The proposed new rules would describe the policies and procedures governing the use and maintenance of the TDMHMR Drug Formulary in TDMHMR facilities and in community settings for mental health and mental retardation services that are funded by TDMHMR.

The new subchapter is proposed as part of the reorganization of the TDMHMR rule base to reflect current operational and organizational relationships. The contemporaneous repeal and adoption of these subchapters would fulfill the requirements of the Texas Government Code, §2001.039, concerning the periodic review of agency rules.

Cindy Brown, chief financial officer, has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed new rules are in effect, enforcing or administering the rules does not have foreseeable significant implications relating to cost or revenue of the state or local governments because the proposed new rules are not significantly different from the rules proposed for repeal.

Steven Shon, M.D., medical director, has determined that, for each year of the first five years the proposed new rules are in effect, the public benefit expected is the ability to continue specific drug treatment from inpatient to outpatient settings as well as the assurance that individuals receiving community-based mental health and mental retardation services funded by TDMHMR have access to the same drug treatment as individuals receiving services in TDMHMR facilities. It is anticipated that there would be no additional economic cost to persons required to comply with the proposed new rules because the rules do not impose any more requirements on such persons than those contained in the rules proposed for repeal.

It is anticipated that the proposed new rules will not affect a local economy because the rules do not alter the requirements contained in the rules proposed for repeal.

It is anticipated that the proposed new rules will not have an adverse economic effect on small businesses or microbusinesses because the new rules do not significantly alter the requirements contained in the rules proposed for repeal.

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.

These sections are proposed under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a), which provides the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board (board) with broad rulemaking authority, and §534.052, which requires the board to adopt rules it considers necessary and appropriate to ensure the adequate provision of community-based mental health and mental retardation services through a local authority.

These proposed sections would affect the Texas Health and Safety Code, §532.015(a) and §534.052.

§415.101.Purpose.

The purpose of this subchapter is to provide policies and procedures governing the use and maintenance of the TDMHMR Drug Formulary .

§415.102.Application.

(a) This subchapter applies to TDMHMR facilities, Central Office, local authorities, and their respective contractors for mental health and mental retardation services funded by the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation. (The TDMHMR Drug Formulary in its entirety applies to all TDMHMR facilities in all circumstances except when an individual receives acute care services of limited duration in a general hospital.)

(b) TDMHMR facilities, Central Office, and local authorities are responsible for amending the contracts of their contractors that provide TDMHMR-funded mental health and mental retardation services to ensure their compliance with this subchapter.

§415.103.Definitions.

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

(1) Adverse drug reaction--Any adverse symptom or sign that is an unexpected reaction to medication and that is noxious, unintended, and occurs at doses normally used in humans for the prophylaxis, diagnosis, or therapy of disease, or for the modification of physiological function.

(2) Contractor--An entity that provides TDMHMR-funded mental health or mental retardation services pursuant to a contract with a service system component or TDMHMR.

(3) Drug entity--A specific chemical compound and all of its pharmaceutically equivalent salt forms which are used in the treatment or mitigation of disease.

(4) Emergency--A situation in which it is immediately necessary to administer medication to an individual to prevent:

(A) imminent probable death or substantial bodily harm to the individual because the individual:

(i) overtly or continually is threatening or attempting to commit suicide or serious bodily harm; or

(ii) is behaving in a manner that indicates that the individual is unable to satisfy the individual's need for nourishment, essential medical care, or self-protection; or

(B) imminent physical or emotional harm to others because of threat, attempts, or other acts the individual overtly or continually makes or commits.

(5) Individual--Any person receiving services from a service system component or contractor.

(6) Local authority--An entity designated by the TDMHMR commissioner in accordance with the Texas Health and Safety Code, §533.035(a).

(7) Practitioner--A person who acts within the scope of a professional license to prescribe, distribute, administer, or dispense a prescription drug or device, (e.g., a physician, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, dentist).

(8) Pharmacy and therapeutics committee--A TDMHMR facility committee composed of physicians, pharmacists, registered nurses, and others as appointed by the facility CEO that recommends drug-related policy to the facility's clinical/medical director and CEO.

(9) Reserve drug--A formulary drug with specific guidelines for use as described in the formulary.

(10) Service system component--A TDMHMR facility or local authority.

(11) State mental health facility--A state hospital or a state center with an inpatient component that is operated by TDMHMR.

(12) State mental retardation facility--A state school or a state center with a mental retardation residential component that is operated by TDMHMR.

(13) TDMHMR--The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

(14) TDMHMR Drug Formulary or formulary--A continually revised printed listing by nonproprietary name of all drugs approved for use by service system components and their contractors.

(15) TDMHMR facility--A state mental health facility or a state mental retardation facility.

§415.104.General Requirements.

(a) The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation maintains a closed formulary ( TDMHMR Drug Formulary ) that lists drugs approved by the Executive Formulary Committee for use by service system components and their contractors.

(b) A drug is not available for general use by service system components or their contractors unless it is approved by the Executive Formulary Committee. Drugs not listed in the TDMHMR Drug Formulary or the Interim Formulary Update may not be used except under the limited circumstances described in §415.110 of this title (relating to Prescribing Non-formulary Drugs).

(c) The use of formulary drugs in unusual clinical situations or the use of unusual drug combinations must be accompanied by written justification in the individual's medical record. Additional clinical consultation in these situations should occur as deemed necessary by the prescribing physician.

(d) Reserve drugs, as defined in §415.103 of this title (relating to Definitions), may be prescribed for use outside the guidelines described in the formulary if the prescription is justified in the individual's medical record and reviewed in routine audits of reserve drug use conducted by the service system component.

(e) Drug research conducted at a TDMHMR facility is governed by Chapter 414, Subchapter P of this title (concerning Research at TDMHMR Facilities). Local authorities conducting drug research must comply with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, and regulations, including Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects), as required by §412.309(f) of this title (relating to Rights and Responsibilities) of Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title (concerning Mental Health Community Services Standards).

type-name="italic">TDMHMR Drug Formulary .

Drugs are listed in the TDMHMR Drug Formulary by nonproprietary name. The list is based on a modified format of the American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information and includes an alphabetical index. Proprietary names may follow in parentheses for information only; the listing of proprietary names is not an endorsement. Cost comparisons and prescribing information are provided as determined necessary by the Executive Formulary Committee. The American Hospital Formulary Service Drug Information serves as a standard reference in addition to the approved Food and Drug Administration product labeling. The TDMHMR Drug Formulary notes limitations recommended by the Executive Formulary Committee regarding the use of a drug, including specific limitations or guidelines for the use of a reserve drug.

§415.106.Executive Formulary Committee.

(a) Composition.

(1) The chairperson is a physician appointed by the TDMHMR medical director.

(2) The TDMHMR pharmacy discipline head serves as the permanent secretary of the committee and is responsible for preparing the agenda and minutes of committee meetings.

(b) Membership. Members of the Executive Formulary Committee are appointed by the TDMHMR medical director, which consists of:

(1) two state mental health facility physicians;

(2) two state mental retardation facility physicians;

(3) four local authority practitioners;

(4) two TDMHMR facility pharmacy directors;

(5) one TDMHMR facility clinical pharmacologist;

(6) one TDMHMR facility director of nursing;

(7) one TDMHMR facility registered nurse;

(8) the TDMHMR pharmacy discipline head;

(9) the following ex officio members:

(A) the TDMHMR medical director;

(B) the TDMHMR associate medical director for mental retardation/ developmental disability;

(C) the TDMHMR associate medical director for mental health;

(D) the TDMHMR director, state mental health facilities;

(E) the TDMHMR director, state mental retardation facilities;

(F) the TDMHMR deputy commissioner, community programs; and

(G) the TDMHMR director, central contracting and procurement support; and

(10) other persons as appointed by the TDMHMR medical director.

(c) Term of service. With the exception of the TDMHMR pharmacy discipline head, which is a standing membership position, members serve staggered three-year terms and may be reappointed to one additional term. Ex officio members may be reappointed as specified by the TDMHMR medical director.

(d) Meetings. The Executive Formulary Committee meets at least quarterly.

(e) Administrative support. The TDMHMR medical director's office provides administrative support to the Executive Formulary Committee.

§415.107.Responsibilities of the Executive Formulary Committee.

(a) The Executive Formulary Committee maintains and updates the TDMHMR Drug Formulary by:

(1) recommending standards of drug use that discourage unnecessary duplication of therapeutic alternatives and encourage the highest standards of medical and pharmacy practice;

(2) periodically reviewing the drugs listed in the formulary to ensure consistency with need, effectiveness, risk, and cost;

(3) consulting with experts in clinical pharmacy, pharmacology, and other medical specialties as necessary to objectively assess drugs under consideration; and

(4) considering the applications submitted in accordance with §415.108 of this title (relating to Applying to Have a Drug Added to the Formulary) or as:

(A) presented by committee members; or

(B) submitted by other qualified persons at the invitation of the Executive Formulary Committee chairperson.

(b) The Executive Formulary Committee makes other recommendations concerning drug use and policy as requested by the TDMHMR medical director.

(c) Approval of a drug entity for inclusion in the TDMHMR Drug Formulary does not imply approval of all formulations for that drug. The Executive Formulary Committee designates the formulations that are allowed for general use by service system components and their contractors.

(d) Approval of a drug formulation constitutes approval of all brands of the product that have been proven to be bioequivalent as listed in the Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations .

(e) For a drug entity that has known bioequivalency problems, the Executive Formulary Committee may limit its use to a specific brand based on objective clinical pharmacokinetics data.

§415.108.Applying to Have a Drug Added to the Formulary.

(a) Any member of the Executive Formulary Committee, any service system component practitioner, or any contract practitioner may apply to have a drug added to the TDMHMR Drug Formulary by completing the New Drug Application Form DF-1, referenced as Exhibit A in §415.112 of this title (relating to Exhibits) and including:

(1) published articles in biomedical literature that substantiate the efficacy and safety of the proposed drug;

(2) information on the advantages of the proposed drug compared with similar formulary drugs;

(3) a list of formulary drugs that the proposed drug would replace or supplement; and

(4) cost effectiveness data.

(b) Submitting the application.

(1) If the person submitting the application is a TDMHMR facility practitioner or a TDMHMR facility contract practitioner, then that practitioner submits the application to the facility's pharmacy and therapeutics committee for approval. If the committee approves the application, then it forwards the application to the Executive Formulary Committee.

(2) If the person submitting the application is a non-facility service system component practitioner or a non-facility service system component contract practitioner, then that practitioner submits the application to the component's clinical/medical director or designee who determines if the application is appropriate and complete, and if so, forwards the application to the Executive Formulary Committee.

(3) If the person completing the application is a member of the Executive Formulary Committee, then that person submits the application directly to Executive Formulary Committee.

(c) The Executive Formulary Committee considers the drug application and recommends:

(1) approving the proposed drug's inclusion and, if appropriate, approving audit criteria and recommending dosage guidelines;

(2) approving the proposed drug on a trial basis for a specified period of time;

(3) approving the proposed drug as a reserve drug, with guidelines;

(4) postponing the decision until a later meeting; or

(5) denying the proposed drug's inclusion.

§415.109.Changing the TDMHMR Drug Formulary .

(a) Changes to the TDMHMR Drug Formulary are based on need, effectiveness, risk, and cost as contained in current and unbiased biomedical literature.

(b) Recommendations by the Executive Formulary Committee for changes to the TDMHMR Drug Formulary , as reflected in the meeting's minutes, are submitted to the TDMHMR medical director.

(c) If the TDMHMR medical director or designee approves the recommendations, then the recommendations must be:

(1) identified as approved in writing before implementation; and

(2) listed in the Interim Formulary Update and distributed to the CEOs, clinical/medical directors, and pharmacy directors of all service system components, and to members of the Executive Formulary Committee.

§415.110.Prescribing Non-formulary Drugs.

(a) Non-formulary drugs may be prescribed:

(1) if no formulary drug exists that is as safe or effective in the specified situation;

(2) if a limited trial of the drug appears to be safer or more effective than any drug listed in the formulary and the prescribing practitioner anticipates applying to have the drug added to the formulary;

(3) if the course of therapy established prior to the individual's admission would be interrupted; or

(4) in an emergency, as defined in §415.103 of this title (relating to Definitions).

(b) Each local authority shall develop and enforce written policies and procedures for monitoring and approving the prescribing of non-formulary drugs by its practitioners and its contract practitioners.

(c) TDMHMR shall develop and enforce written policies and procedures for monitoring and approving the prescribing of non-formulary drugs by TDMHMR facility practitioners and facility contract practitioners. The written policies and procedures are contained in TDMHMR's Pharmacy Management Operating Instruction.

§415.111.Adverse Drug Reactions.

(a) Each local authority shall develop written policies and procedures for reporting adverse drug reactions to the Food and Drug Administration.

(b) TDMHMR shall develop written policies and procedures for TDMHMR facilities when reporting adverse drug reactions to the Food and Drug Administration. The written policies and procedures are contained in TDMHMR's Pharmacy Management Operating Instruction.

§415.112.Exhibit.

Exhibit A, the New Drug Application Form DF-1, referenced in this subchapter, may be obtained by contacting the Office of Policy Development, TDMHMR, P.O. Box 12668, Austin, TX 78711-2668, (512) 206-4516.

§415.113.References.

The following rules and policies, and federal statutes are referenced in this subchapter:

(1) Chapter 412, Subchapter G of this title (concerning Mental Health Community Services Standards);

(2) Chapter 414, Subchapter P of this title (concerning to Research in TDMHMR Facilities);

(3) Pharmacy Management Operating Instruction; and

(4) Title 45, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 46 (Protection of Human Subjects).

§415.114.Distribution.

(a) This subchapter is distributed to:

(1) members of the Texas Mental Health and Mental Retardation Board;

(2) executive, management, and program staff of Central Office;

(3) CEO's of all TDMHMR facilities and local authorities; and

(4) advocacy organizations.

(b) The CEO of each service system component shall disseminate the information contained in this subchapter to all appropriate staff and contractors.

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 August 20, 2001.

TRD-200104890

Andrew Hardin

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 30, 2001

For further information, please call: (512) 206-5216