TITLE 25.HEALTH SERVICES

Part 2. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL RETARDATION

Chapter 417. AGENCY AND FACILITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Subchapter A. STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

The Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR) proposes new Chapter 417, Subchapter A, §§417.1-417.6, concerning assignment and use of pooled vehicles, of Chapter 417, governing state authority responsibilities.

The proposal of new §§417.1-417.6 is made to implement Texas Government Code, §§2171.104, 2171.1045, and 2171.105, concerning fleet management.

Bill Campbell, deputy commissioner for finance and administration, has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed new sections are in effect, enforcing or administering the sections do not have foreseeable economic implications relating to cost or revenue of the state or local government.

Sharon Hunter, director of support services, has determined that for each year of the first five years the proposed new sections are in effect, the public benefit expected is to improve operations of the department's vehicle fleet.

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

It is anticipated that the proposed new sections will not have an adverse economic effect on small business or micro-business because they do not place requirements on small businesses or micro-business.

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 12669, Austin, Texas 78711-2668, within 30 days of publication.

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

25 TAC §§417.1 - 417.3

The new sections 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 and the Texas Government Code, §§2171.104 and 2171.1045, which the requires the department to adopt rules implementing the fleet management plan. The proposed new sections affect the Texas Government Code, §§2171.104, 2171.1045, and 2171.105.

§417.1.Purpose.

The purpose of this subchapter is to describe:

(1)

the standard operating policies and procedures for state mental health facilities and state mental retardation facilities (facility);

(2)

requirements and rights of facilities; and

(3)

rights protections for individuals receiving services from a facility.

§417.2.Application.

This subchapter applies to the facilities of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation.

§417.3.Definitions.

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

(1)

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

(2)

Facility - A state mental health facility or a state mental retardation facility funded by the TDMHMR.

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 December 29, 2000.

TRD-200009098

Andrew Hardin

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 11, 2001

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


2. TRANSPORTATION

25 TAC §417.4

The new section 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 the Texas Government Code, §§2171.104 and 2171.1045, which the requires the department to adopt rules implementing the fleet management plan. The proposed new section affects the Texas Government Code, §§2171.104, 2171.1045, and 2171.105.

§417.4.Assignment and Use of Pooled Vehicles.

(a)

Each vehicle in the department's vehicle fleet pool, with the exception of vehicles assigned to field staff, is assigned to the department's motor pool and made available for check out as needed. Because of the department's organizational structure some vehicles may be permanently assigned to sub-pools within divisions and made available only to employees within those divisions.

(b)

Pooled vehicles assigned on a regular or daily basis to individual administrative or executive employees, require written documentation that the assignment is critical to the needs and mission of the department. Documentation for such assignments must be maintained at each facility and sent to Central Office, Transportation, and the Office of Vehicle Fleet Management, General Services Commission.

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 December 29, 2000.

TRD-200009099

Andrew Hardin

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 11, 2001

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


3. REFERENCES AND DISTRIBUTION

25 TAC §417.5, §417.6

The new sections 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 and the Texas Government Code, §§2171.104 and 2171.1045, which the requires the department to adopt rules implementing the fleet management plan. The proposed new sections affect the Texas Government Code, §§2171.104, 2171.1045, and 2171.105.

§417.5.References.

The statutes referenced in this subchapter include the Texas Government Code, §§2171.104, 2171.1045, and 2171.105.

§417.6.Distribution.

(a)

This subchapter is distributed to members of the TDMHMR Board; medical director; deputy commissioners for Community Programs and Budget and Finance and the directors, State Mental Health Facilities and State Mental Retardation Facilities; and Central Office program and management staff; and

(b)

This subchapter is distributed to facility CEOs who are responsible for disseminating this subchapter to their staff, as appropriate.

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 December 29, 2000.

TRD-200009100

Andrew Hardin

Chairman, Texas MHMR Board

Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation

Earliest possible date of adoption: February 11, 2001

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