TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Chapter 12. SPECIAL NUTRITION PROGRAMS

Subchapter A. CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM

40 TAC §§12.2, 12.3, 12.15

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §§12.2, 12.3, and 12.15, without changes to the proposed text published in the January 21, 2000, issue of the Texas Register (25 TexReg 359).

The justification for the amendments is to implement provisions of the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-336), which was signed into effect on October 31, 1998, including transferring administrative responsibility for the Homeless Children Nutrition Program from the Summer Food Service Program to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and requiring certain child nutrition programs contractors to distribute information related to the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The amendments also amend the definition of low-income area in the CACFP.

When DHS published rules to implement program requirements relating to the availability of expansion funds, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had instructed state agencies to rely on the definition of low-income area used in the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), since CACFP regulations did not contain such a definition. Federal regulations now contain a definition of low-income area, which is inconsistent with the adapted SFSP definition currently contained in the rules. DHS is amending its CACFP rules to rely on a citation by reference to the definition of low-income area contained in the CACFP regulations (7 Code of Federal Regulations 226.2) and eliminate the conflict by removing the definition of low-income area currently contained in DHS rules.

The Act repeals the Homeless Children Nutrition Program and transfers the administration of nutrition benefits to homeless children from the SFSP to the CACFP. This administrative transfer provides homeless children residing in emergency shelters with access to nutritious meals and snacks year round through the CACFP, effective July 1, 1999. The Act also makes provision for emergency shelters that had been participating in the SFSP to continue to participate in the SFSP for the remainder of the federal fiscal year.

The Act also requires DHS to distribute WIC promotional materials to child nutrition program contractors participating in the CACFP, except outside-school-hours-care centers, and to ensure that the contractors provide the information to parents when they enroll their children for child care. DHS must also distribute periodic updates to sponsors and facilities and ensure that the updated information is provided to the parents of enrolled children. The materials are intended to inform potential WIC program participants of the availability and benefits of the WIC program.

To facilitate implementation of these requirements, USDA has issued guidance to states instructing them to implement the provisions of the Act prior to the publication of regulations in the Federal Register. Therefore, DHS is adopting rules which stipulate the program requirements based on the guidance received from USDA, rather than publishing a citation by reference to federal regulations.

The amendments will function by eliminating a definition that conflicts with federal regulations, providing an expanded availability of nutrition services for homeless children, and providing an increased awareness of the availability of WIC services. The amendments will also improve the nutritional well-being of Texas children.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

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

The amendments implement §§22.001-22.030 and 33.001-33.024 of the Human Resources Code; and the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-336).

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 March 6, 2000.

TRD-200001693

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: March 26, 2000

Proposal publication date: January 21, 2000

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3108


Chapter 47. PRIMARY HOME CARE

Subchapter B. SERVICE REQUIREMENTS

40 TAC §§47.2902, 47.2905, 47.2912, 47.2913

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts amendments to §§47.2902, 47.2905, 47.2912, and 47.2913, without changes to the proposed text published in the December 31, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 12028).

The justification for the amendments is to change the reference to the form authorizing community care services to the new generic long term care claims management system form, which became effective September 1, 1999.

The amendments will function by providing faster services to consumers since provider agencies will know which form to use to request DHS's approval for community care services.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendments.

The amendments are adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendments implement §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042 of the 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 March 2, 2000.

TRD-200001667

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: April 1, 2000

Proposal publication date: December 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3108


Chapter 49. CONTRACTING FOR COMMUNITY CARE SERVICES

40 TAC §49.11

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §49.11, without changes to the proposed text published in the December 31, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 12030).

The justification for the amendment is to change the reference to the form authorizing community care services to the new generic long term care claims management system form, which became effective September 1, 1999.

The amendment will function by providing faster services to consumers since provider agencies will know which form to use to request DHS's approval for community care services.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment implements §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042 of the 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 March 2, 2000.

TRD-200001668

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: April 1, 2000

Proposal publication date: December 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3108


Chapter 52. EMERGENCY RESPONSE SERVICES

Subchapter D. SERVICE DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

40 TAC §52.401

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §52.401, without changes to the proposed text published in the December 31, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 12030).

The justification for the amendment is to change the reference to the form authorizing community care services to the new generic long term care claims management system form, which became effective September 1, 1999.

The amendment will function by providing faster services to consumers since provider agencies will know which form to use to request DHS's approval for community care services.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment implements §§22.001-22.030 and §§32.001-32.042 of the 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 March 2, 2000.

TRD-200001669

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: April 1, 2000

Proposal publication date: December 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3108


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

Subchapter H. DAY ACTIVITY AND HEALTH SERVICES (DAHS) CONTRACTUAL REQUIREMENTS

40 TAC §98.205

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §98.205, without changes to the proposed text published in the December 31, 1999, issue of the Texas Register (24 TexReg 12054).

The justification for the amendment is to change the reference to the form authorizing community care services to the new generic long term care claims management system form, which became effective September 1, 1999.

The amendment will function by providing faster services to consumers since provider agencies will know which form to use to request DHS's approval for community care services.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Chapter 103, which provides the department with the authority to license adult day care facilities, and under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapters 22 and 32, which provides the department with the authority to administer public and medical assistance programs and under Texas Government Code §531.021, which provides the Health and Human Services Commission with the authority to administer federal medical assistance funds.

The amendment implements §§22.001-22.030, 32.001-32.042, and §§103.001-103.011 of the 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 March 2, 2000.

TRD-200001670

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: April 1, 2000

Proposal publication date: December 31, 1999

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3108