TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES

Chapter 9. MENTAL RETARDATION SERVICES--MEDICAID STATE OPERATING AGENCY RESONSIBILITIES

Subchapter E. ICF/MR PROGRAMS--CONTRACTING

6. PERSONAL FUNDS

40 TAC §9.254

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposes, on behalf of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), an amendment to §9.254, concerning items and services provided by the program provider, in Chapter 9, Mental Retardation Services--Medicaid State Operating Agency Responsibilities.

Background and Purpose

The purpose of the amendment is to revise the list of items and services that are in the reimbursement rate for intermediate care facilities for persons with mental retardation and related conditions (ICFs/MR) to exclude prescribed medication that is in a category covered by Medicare Part D for an individual who is eligible for Medicare Part D.

DADS is proposing the amendment in conjunction with HHSC's proposed amendment to 1 TAC §355.103, published elsewhere in this issue of the Texas Register . HHSC is proposing its amendment in response to new federal requirements imposed by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Beginning January 1, 2006, individuals, including persons enrolled in the ICF/MR Program, who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible individuals) must obtain prescription drugs through a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, rather than through Medicaid.

Under the MMA, Medicaid funds must not be used to pay for a prescription drug for a person who is eligible for Medicare Part D benefits if that drug is in a category of drugs that is covered by Medicare Part D. Therefore, in its proposed amendment to 1 TAC §355.103, HHSC will disallow an ICF/MR Program provider from including such a drug on its cost report.

Section-by-Section Summary

To be consistent with the proposed amendment to 1 TAC §355.103, DADS is amending the list of items and services in §9.254 that are in the ICF/MR Program reimbursement rate to exclude prescribed medication in a category covered by Medicare Part D for an individual who is eligible for Medicare Part D.

The amendment also corrects rule cross-references that were rendered incorrect upon the transfer of Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation rules from Title 25 to Title 40 of the Texas Administrative Code.

Fiscal Note

Gordon Taylor, DADS Chief Financial Officer, has determined that, for the first five years the proposed amendment is in effect, enforcing or administering the amendment does not have foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local governments.

Small Business and Micro-business Impact Analysis

DADS has determined that there is no adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses, or on businesses of any size, as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment, because the amendment changes the list of items and services in the ICF/MR reimbursement rate but does not change the reimbursement rate.

Cost to Persons and Effect on Local Economies

DADS does not anticipate that there will be an economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the amendment. The amendment will not affect a local economy.

Public Benefit

Barry Waller, DADS Assistant Commissioner for Provider Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five years the amendment is in effect, the public benefit expected as a result of enforcing the amendment is that DADS will be in compliance with the MMA and that DADS' rule concerning the items and services that are in the ICF/MR reimbursement rate will be consistent with HHSC's cost reporting rule for ICF/MR Program providers.

Takings Impact Assessment

DADS has determined that this proposal does not restrict or limit an owner's right to his or her property that would otherwise exist in the absence of government action and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.

Public Comment

Questions about the content of this proposal may be directed to Owen Wheeler at (512) 438-4385 in DADS' Provider Services Division, Institutional Services Section. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Texas Register Liaison, Legal Services-028, Department of Aging and Disability Services W-615, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

Statutory Authority

The amendment is proposed under Texas Government Code, §531.0055, which provides that the HHSC executive commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including DADS; Texas Human Resources Code, §161.021, which provides that the Aging and Disability Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the HHSC executive commissioner and the DADS commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by DADS; and Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides HHSC with the authority to administer federal funds and plan and direct the Medicaid program in each agency that operates a portion of the Medicaid program.

The amendment affects Texas Government Code, §531.0055 and §531.021, and Texas Human Resources Code, §161.021.

§9.254.Items and Services Provided by the Program Provider.

A program provider must not charge an individual or require an individual to expend personal funds for items and services that are the program provider's responsibility to provide, except as authorized by §9.255(a)(1) [ §419.255(a)(1) ] of this title (relating to Items and Services Purchased with Personal Funds), because they are included in the ICF/MR Program reimbursement rate or are covered by other Medicaid programs. These items and services include:

(1) (No change.)

(2) prescribed and over-the-counter medication : [ ; ]

(A) for an individual who is not eligible for Medicare Part D benefits; or

(B) for an individual who is eligible for Medicare Part D benefits if the medication is prescribed and is in a category that is not covered by Medicare Part D;

(3) - (4) (No change.)

(5) eye exams and eyeglasses, except:

(A) the difference between the Medicaid payment and the actual cost of the eyeglasses as authorized by §9.255(a)(2) [ §419.255(a)(2) ] of this title [ (relating to Items and Services Purchased with Personal Funds) ]; or

(B) as authorized by §9.255(a)(6) [ §419.255(a)(6) ] of this title ; [ (relating to Items and Services Purchased with Personal Funds). ]

(6) - (16) (No change.)

(17) transportation costs to and from:

(A) (No change.)

(B) an activity that is part of the program provider's recreational program ; [ . ]

(18) - (20) (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 July 29, 2005.

TRD-200503104

Phoebe Knauer

General Counsel

Department of Aging and Disability Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 11, 2005

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


Chapter 19. NURSING FACILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE AND MEDICAID CERTIFICATION

Subchapter AA. VENDOR PAYMENT

40 TAC §19.2601

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposes, on behalf of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), an amendment to §19.2601, concerning vendor payments (items and services included), in Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification.

Background and Purpose

The purpose of the amendment is to revise the list of items and services that are in the daily payment rate for nursing facilities to exclude prescription drugs covered by Medicare Part D for an individual who is eligible for Medicare Part D.

DADS is proposing the amendment in conjunction with HHSC's proposed amendment to 1 TAC §355.103, published elsewhere in this issue of the Texas Register . HHSC is proposing its amendment in response to new federal requirements imposed by the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). Beginning January 1, 2006, individuals, including residents of nursing facilities, who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid (dually eligible individuals) must obtain prescription drugs through a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, rather than through Medicaid.

Under the MMA, Medicaid funds must not be used to pay for a prescription drug for a person who is eligible for Medicare Part D benefits if that drug is in a category of drugs that is covered by Medicare Part D. Therefore, in its proposed amendment to 1 TAC §355.103, HHSC will disallow a nursing facility from including such a drug on its cost report.

Section-by-Section Summary

To be consistent with the proposed amendment to 1 TAC §355.103, DADS is amending the list of items and services in §19.2601(b) that are in the nursing facility daily payment rate to exclude legend (i.e., prescription) drugs in a category covered by Medicare Part D for an individual who is eligible for Medicare Part D.

The amendment also corrects an obsolete cross-reference and updates references from the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) to DADS, which is the new name of the agency responsible for rules governing licensure and certification requirements for nursing facilities.

Fiscal Note

Gordon Taylor, DADS Chief Financial Officer, has determined that, for the first five years the proposed amendment is in effect, enforcing or administering the amendment does not have foreseeable implications relating to costs or revenues of state or local governments.

Small Business and Micro-business Impact Analysis

DADS has determined that there is no adverse economic effect on small businesses or micro-businesses, or on businesses of any size, as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment, because the amendment changes the list of items and services in the nursing facility daily payment rate but does not change the payment rate.

Cost to Persons and Effect on Local Economies

DADS does not anticipate that there will be an economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the amendment. The amendment will not affect a local economy.

Public Benefit

Veronda Durden, DADS Assistant Commissioner for Regulatory Services, has determined that, for each year of the first five years the amendment is in effect, the public benefit expected as a result of enforcing the amendment is that DADS will be in compliance with the MMA and that DADS' rule concerning the items and services that are in the nursing facility daily payment rate will be consistent with HHSC's cost reporting rule for nursing facilities.

Takings Impact Assessment

DADS has determined that this proposal does not restrict or limit an owner's right to his or her property that would otherwise exist in the absence of government action and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under Texas Government Code, §2007.043.

Public Comment

Questions about the content of this proposal may be directed to Hannah Ndika at (512) 438-2133 in DADS' Regulatory Services Policy Development and Support Unit. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Texas Register Liaison, Legal Services-028, Department of Aging and Disability Services W-615, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

Statutory Authority

The amendment is proposed under Texas Government Code, §531.0055, which provides that the HHSC executive commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including DADS; Texas Human Resources Code, §161.021, which provides that the Aging and Disability Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the HHSC executive commissioner and the DADS commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by DADS; Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides HHSC with the authority to administer federal funds and plan and direct the Medicaid program in each agency that operates a portion of the Medicaid program; and Health and Safety Code, Chapter 242, which authorizes DADS to license and regulate convalescent and nursing homes and related institutions.

The amendment affects Texas Government Code, §531.0055 and §531.021; Texas Human Resources Code, §161.021; and Texas Health and Safety Code, §§242.001-242.852.

§19.2601.Vendor Payment (Items and Services Included).

(a) (No change.)

(b) The daily rate is compatible with reasonable charges consistent with efficiency, economy, and quality of total care. The facility must ensure that care meets the health needs and promotes the maximum well-being of recipients. The following items and services are included in the payment rate made to the facility by the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) and, therefore, the facility must provide [ It includes ]:

(1) - (4) (No change.)

(5) for a recipient who is not eligible for Medicare Part D benefits, legend drugs that are not covered by the Medicaid Vendor Drug Program [ program ];

(6) for a recipient who is eligible for Medicare Part D benefits, legend drugs in a category that is not covered by Medicare Part D and that are not covered by the Medicaid Vendor Drug Program;

(7) [ (6) ] regular laundry services, except dry cleaning;

(8) [ (7) ] medical accessories, such as canulas, tubes, masks, catheters, ostomy bags and supplies, IV fluids, IV equipment, and equipment that can be used by more than one person, such as wheelchairs, adjustable chairs, crutches, canes, mattresses, hospital-type beds, enteral pumps, trapeze bars, walkers, and oxygen equipment, such as tanks, concentrators, tubing, masks, valves, and regulators.

(A) Facilities are required to maintain, in good repair, equipment necessary to meet the needs of the recipient.

(B) If a recipient desires equipment for exclusive use, its purchase is the responsibility of the recipient:

(i) Only the recipient can use the equipment, and it must be identified as the personal property of the recipient.

(ii) Upon discharge from the facility, the recipient retains the equipment he purchased. If the recipient dies, the purchased equipment must be transferred to the estate. If it is donated or sold to the facility by the recipient or the estate, the transaction must be documented. (See §19.416 of this title (relating to Personal Property)).

(C) If a recipient owns a piece of equipment that is medically necessary, the facility must maintain and repair the equipment.

(D) When Part B Medicare benefits are accessed to pay for equipment and accessories, the recipient or family may not be charged by the facility or supply company for any portion of these items;

(9) [ (8) ] medical supplies, including, but not limited to tongue depressors, swabs, bandaids, cotton balls, and alcohol; and

(10) [ (9) ] basic personal hygiene items and services to meet the needs of the residents (See §19.405(h) of this title (relating to Additional Requirements for Trust Funds in Medicaid-Certified Facilities) for a list of such items and services). The specific type or brand of personal hygiene items used by the facility must be disclosed to the recipient; then, if a recipient prefers to use a specific type or brand of a personal hygiene item(s) rather than the item(s) furnished by the facility, he may use his personal funds to purchase the item(s).

(A) Before purchasing or charging for the preferred item(s), the facility must secure written authorization from the recipient or family indicating his desired preference, the date, and signature of the person requesting the preferred item(s). The signature may not be that of an employee of the facility.

(B) If the recipient's personal funds are used to purchase an item(s), the item(s) is for his sole use.

(C) When the facility purchases personal hygiene item(s) with the recipient's personal funds, the facility must ensure that the item(s) is in an individual container or package that is labeled with the recipient's name. The facility is not held responsible for labeling personal hygiene items brought into the facility and not reported to the management.

(c) (No change.)

(d) If a resident has requested and freely chosen to participate in an activity, or to have an item or service provided that is not included, or is different than that provided, in the daily vendor rate, then the resident may be charged for the activity, item, or service.

(1) When documentation is present that supports the above criteria, and that is required by §19.405(d)(5) [ §19.404(g)(5) ] of this title [ (relating to Protection of Resident Funds) ], the amount may be paid from the resident's trust fund.

(2) (No change.)

(e) Except as described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, DADS [ the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) ] makes vendor payments to Nursing Facilities for the day a recipient enters a nursing facility, but not for the day a recipient leaves a facility. The two exceptions are as follows.

(1) If entrance and departure are on the same day, and the recipient does not enter another Title XIX facility on that day, DADS [ DHS ] pays for the entire day.

(2) If departure is because of the recipient's death and the deceased recipient is not sent to another Title XIX facility for legal procedures necessary upon the death of the recipient, DADS [ DHS ] pays for the entire day.

(f) (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 July 29, 2005.

TRD-200503105

Phoebe Knauer

General Counsel

Department of Aging and Disability Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 11, 2005

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


Part 19. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Chapter 702. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter E. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH OTHER STATE AGENCIES

40 TAC §702.413

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

The Health and Human Services Commission proposes, on behalf of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the repeal of §702.413, concerning memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning the Communities In Schools program, in its General Administration chapter. The Communities In Schools (CIS) program was transferred from DFPS to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by the 78th Legislature. TEA is in the process of adopting new Communities In Schools rules. The purpose of the repeal is to delete the MOU, which was between DFPS and TEA and is now obsolete.

Cindy Brown, Chief Financial Officer of DFPS, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed section will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Ms. Brown also has determined that for each year of the first five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be that the obsolete rule will be deleted. There will be no effect on large, small, or micro-businesses because the proposed change does not impose new requirements on any business and does not require the purchase of any new equipment or any increased staff time in order to comply. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed section.

Questions about the content of the proposal may be directed to David Whiteside at (512) 438-3755 in DFPS's Purchased Client Services Division. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Texas Register Liaison, Legal Services-324, Department of Family and Protective Services E-611, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

HHSC has determined that the proposed repeal does not restrict or limit an owner's right to his or her property that would otherwise exist in the absence of government action and, therefore, does not constitute a taking under §2007.043, Government Code.

The repeal is proposed under Government Code §531.0055, which provides that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the executive commissioner and the commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department; and HRC, §40.029, which authorizes FPS to propose and adopt rules to facilitate implementation of Department programs.

The repeal implements the Education Code, Subchapter E, Chapter 33.

§702.413.Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Concerning the Communities In Schools Program.

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

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 25, 2005.

TRD-200503062

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 11, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437


Chapter 704. PREVENTION AND EARLY INTERVENTION SERVICES

Subchapter E. COMMUNITIES IN SCHOOLS

40 TAC §§704.401, 704.403, 704.405, 704.407, 704.409, 704.411

(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 Department of Family and Protective Services or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Health and Human Services Commission proposes, on behalf of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the repeal of §§704.401, 704.403, 704.405, 704.407, 704.409, and 704.411, in its Prevention and Early Intervention Services chapter. The Communities In Schools (CIS) program was transferred from DFPS to the Texas Education Agency (TEA) by the 78th Legislature. TEA is in the process of adopting new Communities In Schools rules. The purpose of the repeal is to delete the CIS rules from the DFPS agency rules.

Cindy Brown, Chief Financial Officer of DFPS, has determined that for the first five-year period the proposed sections will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.

Ms. Brown also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be that CIS rules will be found at the agency where the program resides, TEA. There will be no effect on large, small, or micro-businesses because the proposed change does not impose new requirements on any business and does not require the purchase of any new equipment or any increased staff time in order to comply. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed sections.

Questions about the content of the proposal may be directed to David Whiteside at (512) 438-3755 in DFPS's Purchased Client Services Division. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Texas Register Liaison, Legal Services-324, Department of Family and Protective Services E-611, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

HHSC has determined that the proposed repeals do not restrict or limit an owner's right to his or her property that would otherwise exist in the absence of government action and, therefore, do not constitute a taking under §2007.043, Government Code.

The repeals are proposed under Government Code §531.0055, which provides that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the executive commissioner and the commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department; and HRC, §40.029, which authorizes FPS to propose and adopt rules to facilitate implementation of Department programs.

The repeals implement the Education Code, Subchapter E, Chapter 33.

§704.401.How are the key terms in this subchapter defined?

§704.403.What are the roles and responsibilities of PRS and Texas Education Agency (TEA) with respect to the CIS program?

§704.405.Can more than one local CIS program serve the same independent school district?

§704.407.What guidelines must CIS providers adhere to in order to contract with PRS for CIS services?

§704.409.How are appropriated state and federal funds allocated to CIS programs?

§704.411.How will additional or other funds be made available to CIS programs?

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

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on July 25, 2005.

TRD-200503063

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 11, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437


Chapter 745. LICENSING

Subchapter F. BACKGROUND CHECKS

2. REQUESTING BACKGROUND CHECKS

40 TAC §§745.615, 745.623, 745.625, 745.626, 745.631, 745.637

The Health and Human Services Commission proposes, on behalf of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), amendments to §§745.615, 745.623, 745.625, and 745.631; and new §745.626 and §745.637, concerning background checks, in its Licensing chapter. The proposed changes are the result of requirements concerning background checks in Senate Bill (SB) 6, 79th Legislature. New §745.615 clarifies that background checks must be requested on all employees, including all employees intended to be hired, who will provide direct care or have direct access to a child in care. The amendment to §745.623 adds requirements that all residential child-care operations must request background checks on-line through the DFPS website and that child day care operations can request background checks on-line or by submitting a paper request. The amendment to §745.625 adds the requirement that background checks must be submitted before a person provides direct care or has direct access to a child in a residential operation. New §745.626 states that if a residential operation does not receive the results of a background check on a person who provides direct care or has direct assess to a child in care, the operation may obtain its own criminal history check through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and if the DPS check verifies no criminal history, it can allow the person unsupervised client access until it receives the results of the DFPS background check. The amendment to §745.631 adds licensed child-care homes to the list of operations that cannot be issued a permit until DFPS receives the results of the applicants background check. New §745.637 states that DFPS will provide the operation requesting the background check with information in our records regarding the person's previous history in residential child care, as long as the information is not confidential.

Cindy Brown, Chief Financial Officer of DFPS, has determined that for the first five- year period the proposed sections will be in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.

Ms. Brown also has determined that for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be that background checks will be conducted prior to people being able to provide direct care or have direct access to a child in residential child-care facilities, which will provide greater protection for children in care. For each of the first five years that the proposed sections will be in effect, DFPS has estimated the following fiscal impact on small or micro residential child-care operations that employ staff that work directly with child in care. In Fiscal Year 2004, residential child-care facilities conducted 40,143 background checks at an average of 71 checks per facility. DFPS will develop new systems to speed up the process of getting the results back to the facilities within the two-day time frame. Considering possible technical difficulties that may occur, DFPS estimates that 10% of these checks may not be received by the residential facilities within the time frame which could result in the facilities having to conduct a check through the DPS website. The DPS background checks cost $3.00 per check, which will cost the average size residential child-care facility $21.43 per year. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the sections.

Questions about the content of the proposal may be directed to Carol Allen at (512) 438-5339 in DFPS's Licensing Division. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Texas Register Liaison, Legal Services-335, Department of Family and Protective Services E-611, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

HHSC has determined that the proposed amendments and new sections do not restrict or limit an owner's right to his or her property that would otherwise exist in the absence of government action and, therefore, do not constitute a taking under §2007.043, Government Code.

The new sections and amendments are proposed under Government Code §531.0055, which provides that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the executive commissioner and the commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department; and HRC, §40.029, which authorizes DFPS to propose and adopt rules to facilitate implementation of Department programs.

The new sections and amendments implement the HRC §42.056, as amended by §1.103 of Senate Bill 6, 79th Legislature.

§745.615.On whom must I request background checks?

(a) You must request background checks for each person 14 years or older, other than clients of the operation, who will regularly or frequently be present at your operation while children are in care, including:

(1) Employees [ , ] and applicants you intend to hire that will provide direct care or have direct access to a child in care [ including those you intend to hire ];

(2)-(4) (No change.)

(b)-(c) (No change.)

§745.623.How do I request a background check?

(a) You must verify and send us the following identifying information for every person required to be checked in §745.615 of this title (relating to On whom must I request background checks?) [ , on a signed Licensing form provided by your local Licensing staff ]:

(1) Name (last, first, middle), including any maiden or married names or alias;

(2) Date of birth;

(3) Sex;

(4) Social security number;

(5) Current and previous address; [ and ]

(6) Driver's license number; and

(7) [ (6) ] Race (this information does not have to be verified).

(b) If you operate a child day-care operation, you can complete a request for a background check on-line through the DFPS website or send in a request via a signed Licensing form provided by your local Licensing office.

(c) If you operate a residential child-care facility, you must submit your requests on-line through the DFPS website.

§745.625.When must [ do ] I submit a request for a background check?

(a) You must submit a request for a background check:

(1) When you submit your application for a permit to us;

[ (2) When you hire a new person, but no later than two business days after the new person is hired or is present in your operation];

(2) [ (3) ] When a non-client resident 14 years old or older lives or moves into your home or operation, or a non-client resident becomes 14 years old;

(3) [ (4) ] When you apply to be a foster or adoptive parent; and

(4) [ (5) ] Every 24 months after each person's name was first submitted.

(b) In addition, if you operate a residential child-care operation:

(1) You must submit a background check before you hire a new person who will provide direct care or have direct access to a child in care; and

(2) For an employee who will not provide direct care or have direct access to a child in care, you must submit a background check within two business days after the new person is hired or is present in your operation.

(c) In addition, if you operate a child day-care operation, you must submit a background check within two business days after a new person is hired or is present in your operation.

§745.626.How soon after I request a background check on a person can that person provide direct care or have direct access to a child in a residential child-care facility?

(a) If you do not receive the results of the background check within two working days of submission, you may obtain a criminal history check on the person through the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at http://records.txdps.state.tx.us/. If your DPS check verifies that the person has no criminal history, you may allow the person to have unsupervised client contact until you receive the results of the background check performed by the DFPS. The results of the criminal history check obtained from DPS must be kept in the person's personnel record.

(b) Otherwise, you may not allow the person to provide direct care or have direct access to a child in care until you receive the results of the person's background check.

(c) For verifying foster homes, foster group homes, and adoptive homes, please see §745.633 of this title (relating to Can a child-placing agency (CPA) verify a foster home, foster group home, or adoptive home prior to receiving the results of the background checks?).

§745.631.Must Licensing complete the background check(s) before issuing my permit?

If you are applying to operate a licensed child-care home, a [ For ] registered child-care home [ homes ], a listed family home, [ homes ] an [ and ] independent foster home [ homes ] or a [ and ] foster group home [ homes ], we must receive the results from the background checks before issuing you [ the issuance of ] a permit. For all other permits, we may issue a permit to an applicant before we receive the results of the background checks.

§745.637.What information may I obtain from Licensing's records regarding a person's previous history in a residential child-care operation?

We will provide you with information from our records regarding a person's previous history in residential child care, as long as the information is not confidential.

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 1, 2005.

TRD-200503161

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: September 11, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437