TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Chapter 1. PRESUMPTIVE MEDICAID FOR PREGNANT WOMEN PROGRAM

Subchapter A. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

40 TAC §1.1

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §1.1 without changes to the proposed text published in the December 5, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 10900).

Justification for the amendment is to correct a reference within the rule. The reference to applicable eligibility requirements in §1.1(b) needed to be updated because certain rules in DHS's Chapter 4 were moved to Chapter 2 as part of an agency initiative to rewrite Medicaid rules in plain English. The reference is corrected to state that pregnant applicants must meet all applicable eligibility requirements for pregnant women as specified in Chapter 2 of this title (relating to Medically Needy and Children and Pregnant Women Programs) and apply at qualified provider sites.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes DHS to administer public and medical assistance programs, and under Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment affects the Human Resources Code, §§22.0001 - 22.040 and §§32.001 - 32.067.

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 February 3, 2004.

TRD-200400663

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: February 23, 2004

Proposal publication date: December 5, 2003

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


Chapter 48. COMMUNITY CARE FOR AGED AND DISABLED

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts the repeal of Subchapter M, Home-Delivered Meals, consisting of §§48.9502, 48.9504, 48.9506, 48.9508, 48.9510, 48.9512, 48.9514, 48.9516, 48.9518, 48.9520, 48.9522, 48.9524, 48.9526, 48.9528, 48.9530, 48.9532, 48.9534, 48.9536, 48.9538, 48.9540, 48.9542, 48.9544, and 48.9546; and Subchapter N, Support Documents, consisting of §48.9806, without changes to the proposal published in the November 14, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 10110).

The repeals were undertaken to remove the rules concerning the Home-Delivered Meals (HDM) Program from Chapter 48 and place them in DHS's new Chapter 55. DHS's Long Term Care Program determined that placing HDM rules in their own chapter will make program requirements easier for provider agencies to locate and use.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the repeals.

Subchapter M. HOME-DELIVERED MEALS

40 TAC §§48.9502, 48.9504, 48.9506, 48.9508, 48.9510, 48.9512, 48.9514, 48.9516, 48.9518, 48.9520, 48.9522, 48.9524, 48.9526, 48.9528, 48.9530, 48.9532, 48.9534, 48.9536, 48.9538, 48.9540, 48.9542, 48.9544, 48.9546

The repeals are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes DHS to administer public and medical assistance programs, and under Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The repeals affect the Human Resources Code, §§22.0001 - 22.040 and §§32.001 - 32.067.

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 February 3, 2004.

TRD-200400681

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: March 1, 2004

Proposal publication date: November 14, 2003

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


Subchapter N. SUPPORT DOCUMENTS

40 TAC §48.9806

The repeal is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes DHS to administer public and medical assistance programs, and under Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The repeal affects the Human Resources Code, §§22.0001 - 22.040 and §§32.001 - 32.067.

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 February 3, 2004.

TRD-200400680

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: March 1, 2004

Proposal publication date: November 14, 2003

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


Chapter 55. CONTRACTING TO PROVIDE HOME-DELIVERED MEALS

40 TAC §§55.1, 55.3, 55.5, 55.7, 55.9, 55.11, 55.13, 55.15, 55.17, 55.19, 55.21, 55.23, 55.25, 55.27, 55.29, 55.31, 55.33, 55.35, 55.37, 55.39, 55.41, 55.43, 55.45

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts new Chapter 55, Contracting to Provide Home-Delivered Meals, consisting of §§55.1, 55.3, 55.5, 55.7, 55.9, 55.11, 55.13, 55.15, 55.17, 55.19, 55.21, 55.23, 55.25, 55.27, 55.29, 55.31, 55.33, 55.35, 55.37, 55.39, 55.41, 55.43, and 55.45, without changes to the proposed text published in the November 14, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 10112).

The new sections were undertaken to locate the rules concerning the Home-Delivered Meals (HDM) Program in DHS's new Chapter 55. DHS's Long Term Care Program determined that placing HDM rules in their own chapter will make program requirements easier for provider agencies to locate and use. The proposal also updates terminology in order to be consistent with other community care programs. In addition, adding the reimbursement methodology rule governing the HDM Program to new Chapter 55 places all relevant rules in the same location.

DHS received no comments regarding adoption of the new sections.

The new sections are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapters 22 and 32, which authorizes DHS to administer public and medical assistance programs, and under Government Code, §531.021, which provides the Texas Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The new sections affect the Human Resources Code, §§22.0001 - 22.040 and §§32.001 - 32.067.

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 February 3, 2004.

TRD-200400679

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: March 1, 2004

Proposal publication date: November 14, 2003

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


Part 2. TEXAS REHABILITATION COMMISSION

Chapter 115. MEMORANDA OF UNDERSTANDING WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES

The Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) adopts a change to Title 40, Chapter 115, concerning memoranda of understanding with other state agencies. The change repeals and replaces §115.8 to update a memorandum of understanding dealing with the provision of services needed to prepare students enrolled in special education to transition from public school to adult life, which was first adopted in 1990. The repeal and new rule are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 31, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 9490) and will not be republished

Article IX, Section 10.04 of the General Appropriations Act, 78th Legislature, Regular Session (2003), requires that the Texas Education Agency (TEA), the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR), and TRC, by a cooperative effort, develop and by rule adopt an MOU. The section specifies that the TEA, the TDMHMR, and the TRC may request other appropriate agencies to participate in the development of the MOU. Accordingly, the adopted MOU includes the participation of the following agencies: Texas Commission for the Blind, Texas Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Texas Department of Health, Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Department of Human Services, Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, Texas Education Agency, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas Juvenile Probation Commission, Texas Rehabilitation Commission, Texas Workforce Commission, and Texas Youth Commission.

The adopted new MOU addresses respective roles and responsibilities of participating agencies in the sharing of information about, and coordination of services to, eligible students with disabilities receiving special education services. The new MOU clarifies and adds definitions and better addresses information sharing and agency participation, regional and local collaboration, cross-agency training, and dispute resolution. Other terms of the MOU provide for the MOU to be reviewed and considered for expansion, modification, or amendment at any time the executive officers of the parties agree or at least every four years.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the rules.

40 TAC §115.8

The repeal is adopted under the Texas Human Resources Code, Title 7, Chapter 111, §111.018 and §111.023, which provides the Texas Rehabilitation Commission with the authority to promulgate rules consistent with Title 7, Texas Human Resources Code.

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 February 9, 2004.

TRD-200400786

Sylvia F. Hardman

Deputy Commissioner for Legal Services

Texas Rehabilitation Commission

Effective date: February 29, 2004

Proposal publication date: October 31, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 424-4050


40 TAC §115.8

The new section is adopted under the Texas Human Resources Code, Title 7, Chapter 111, §111.018 and §111.023, which provides the Texas Rehabilitation Commission with the authority to promulgate rules consistent with Title 7, Texas Human Resources Code.

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 February 9, 2004.

TRD-200400787

Sylvia F. Hardman

Deputy Commissioner for Legal Services

Texas Rehabilitation Commission

Effective date: February 29, 2004

Proposal publication date: October 31, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 424-4050


Chapter 116. ADVISORY COMMITTEES/COUNCILS

40 TAC §116.5

The Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) adopts the repeal of Title 40, Chapter 116, §116.5, concerning the Community Rehabilitation Programs Advisory Committee, without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 26, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 8303) and will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted because the Committee is no longer necessary pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 United States Code §701 et seq., and it has been abolished in accordance with House Bill 2292, 78th Legislature.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted under the Texas Human Resources Code, Title 7, Chapter 111, §111.018 and §111.023, which provides the Texas Rehabilitation Commission with the authority to promulgate rules consistent with Title 7, Texas Human Resources Code.

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 February 9, 2004.

TRD-200400788

Sylvia F. Hardman

Deputy Commissioner for Legal Services

Texas Rehabilitation Commission

Effective date: February 29, 2004

Proposal publication date: September 26, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 424-4050


40 TAC §116.8

The Texas Rehabilitation Commission (TRC) adopts the repeal of Title 40, Chapter 116, §116.8, concerning Comprehensive Rehabilitation Advisory Committee, without changes to the proposed text as published in the September 26, 2003, issue of the Texas Register (28 TexReg 8303) and will not be republished.

The repeal is being adopted because the Committee has been abolished in accordance with House Bill 2292, 78th Legislature.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted under the Texas Human Resources Code, Title 7, Chapter 111, §111.018 and §111.023, which provides the Texas Rehabilitation Commission with the authority to promulgate rules consistent with Title 7, Texas Human Resources Code.

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 February 9, 2004.

TRD-200400789

Sylvia F. Hardman

Deputy Commissioner for Legal Services

Texas Rehabilitation Commission

Effective date: February 29, 2004

Proposal publication date: September 26, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 424-4050