TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Chapter 3. TEXAS WORKS

Subchapter G. RESOURCES

40 TAC §3.704

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §3.704 without changes to the proposed text published in the March 1, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1469).

Justification for the amendment is to allow an exclusion of $15,000 of the fair market value of one motor vehicle owned by a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-State Program (TANF-SP) family. The same exclusion will be allowed when determining Food Stamp Program eligibility. DHS also proposes to apply the policy to two-parent families who apply for the Medically Needy Program. Ownership of reliable transportation will be allowed, making it easier for TANF-SP recipients to participate in work. In addition, the deletion of State Welfare Reform Control Group language in §3.704(b)(9) is a result of the Achieving Change for Texans (ACT) waiver expiration on March 31, 2002. The removal of control groups will create consistency by making the same TANF policy applicable to all TANF applicants and recipients after April 1, 2002.

The department received no comments regarding the adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapter 31, which authorizes DHS to administer financial assistance programs.

The amendment implements the Human Resources Code, §§31.001-31.030.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 5, 2002.

TRD-200202150

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: April 25, 2002

Proposal publication date: March 1, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 12. SPECIAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS

Subchapter A. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM

40 TAC §§12.3, 12.4, 12.24 - 12.26

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §§12.3, 12.4, 12.24, 12.25, and 12.26 without changes to the proposed text published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1120).

Justification for the amendments is to comply with amendments made by the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of 2000, also known as Public Law 106-224, to the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act, including a requirement affecting the termination process for institutions participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and their day care home providers. According to the Act, a state agency administering the CACFP must now include the following information in its written notice of intent to terminate the participation of a contractor. If the contractor requests an appeal within the specified time, the contractor may continue to participate in the CACFP through the completion of the appeal process and receive reimbursement during this time for eligible meals provided to eligible participants and for eligible administrative costs. If the state agency's action is upheld by the hearings officer, the contractor's agreement will be terminated effective on the date the appeal findings are issued. Agreements of contractors who choose not to request an appeal or fail to do so within the specified time frame will be terminated according to the date provided in the written notice of intent to terminate. If a state agency takes action to terminate the participation of a contractor based on imminent dangers to the health or welfare of participants, that contractor is terminated immediately and will not be reimbursed for any services provided during the appeal process.

The Act also requires contractors who sponsor the program participation of day care home providers to notify seriously deficient providers, in writing, that they have been determined to be seriously deficient and that failure to correct the serious deficiency will result in the termination of the provider's agreement and placement on United States Department of Agriculture's National Disqualified List (NDL). The notice must specify the serious deficiency upon which the action is based, the actions the provider must take to correct the serious deficiency, and the period of time allowed to correct the deficiency. If the sponsor determines the provider has not taken corrective action to fully and permanently correct the serious deficiency within the specified time, the sponsor must provide written notice of their intent to terminate the provider's agreement "for cause." This notice must inform the provider that they may appeal the decision to terminate their agreement for cause and include the procedures the provider must follow to appeal the sponsor's action. The notice must also inform the provider that they may continue to participate in the CACFP and be reimbursed for eligible meals served until the appeal is completed, and that providers terminated for cause will be placed on the NDL. If a sponsor takes action to terminate the participation of a provider based on imminent dangers to the health or welfare of participants, that provider is terminated immediately and will not be reimbursed for any services provided during the appeal process.

The department received no comments regarding adoption of the amendments.

Under §2007.003(b) of the Texas Government Code, the department has determined that Chapter 2007 of the Government Code does not apply to these rules. Accordingly, the department is not required to complete a takings impact assessment regarding these rules.

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 33, which authorizes the department to administer public and nutritional assistance programs.

The amendments implement the Human Resources Code, §§22.001-22.030 and §§33.001-33.024.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202136

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 1, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 19. NURSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AND MEDICAID CERTIFICATION

Subchapter C. NURSING FACILITY LICENSURE APPLICATION PROCESS

40 TAC §19.201, §19.211

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §19.201 and new §19.211 without changes to the proposed text published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1124).

Justification for the amendment to §19.201 is to clearly inform providers of the information they must disclose to DHS, which is consistent with the criteria DHS may use to deny or renew a license. The applicant must disclose any state or federal criminal convictions for any offense that imposes a penalty of incarceration. The requirement to disclose convictions of moral turpitude has been removed, because there is no clear definition of moral turpitude. Justification for new §19.211 is to incorporate current internal procedures for handling licensure requirements when a nursing facility relocates to a different location.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment and new section.

The amendment and new section are adopted under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 242, which authorizes DHS to license and regulate nursing homes.

The amendment and new section implement the Health and Safety Code, §§242.001- 242.268.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202127

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 1, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 90. INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITIES FOR PERSONS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION OR RELATED CONDITIONS

Subchapter B. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

40 TAC §90.11, §90.22

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §90.11 and new §90.22 without changes to the proposed text published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1129).

Justification for the amendment to §90.11 is to clearly inform providers of the information they must disclose to DHS, which is consistent with the criteria DHS may use to deny or renew a license. The applicant must disclose any state or federal criminal convictions for any offense that imposes a penalty of incarceration. The requirement to disclose convictions of moral turpitude has been removed, because there is no clear definition of moral turpitude. Justification for new §90.22 is to incorporate current internal procedures for handling licensure requirements when an intermediate care facility for persons with mental retardation or related conditions relocates to a different location.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment and new section.

The amendment and new section are adopted under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 252, which authorizes DHS to license and regulate intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded.

The amendment and new section implement the Health and Safety Code, §§252.001- 252.186.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202128

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 1, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 92. LICENSING STANDARDS FOR ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

Subchapter B. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

40 TAC §§92.10, 92.14, 92.17, 92.23

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §92.10, §92.14, §92.17, and new §92.23 without changes to the proposed text published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1130).

Justification for the amendment to §92.10 is to clearly inform providers of the information they must disclose to DHS, which is consistent with the criteria DHS may use to deny or renew a license. The applicant must disclose any state or federal criminal convictions for any offense that imposes a penalty of incarceration. The requirement to disclose convictions of moral turpitude has been removed, because there is no clear definition of moral turpitude. Justification for the amendments to §92.14 and §92.17 is to correct a reference. Justification for new §92.23 is to incorporate current internal procedures for handling licensure requirements when an assisted living facility relocates to a different location.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the amendments and new section.

The amendments and new section are adopted under the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 247, which authorizes DHS to license and regulate assisted living facilities.

The amendments and new section implement the Health and Safety Code, §§247.001- 247.068.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202129

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 1, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734


Chapter 98. ADULT DAY CARE AND DAY ACTIVITY AND HEALTH SERVICES REQUIREMENTS

Subchapter B. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

40 TAC §98.11, §98.23

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §98.11, and new §98.23 without changes to the proposed text published in the February 15, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 1131).

Justification for the amendment to §98.11 is to clearly inform providers of the information they must disclose to DHS, which is consistent with the criteria DHS may use to deny or renew a license. The applicant must disclose any state or federal criminal convictions for any offense that imposes a penalty of incarceration. The requirement to disclose convictions of moral turpitude has been removed, because there is no clear definition of moral turpitude. Justification for new §98.23 is to incorporate current internal procedures for handling licensure requirements when a facility relocates to a different location.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment and new section.

The amendment and new section are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapter 103, which authorizes DHS to license and regulate adult day care facilities.

The amendment and new section implement the Human Resource Code, §§103.001- 103.011.

This agency hereby certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on April 4, 2002.

TRD-200202130

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: May 1, 2002

Proposal publication date: February 15, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3734