TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Chapter 3. TEXAS WORKS

Subchapter J. BUDGETING

40 TAC §3.1003

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts an amendment to §3.1003, without changes to the proposed text published in the April 12, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 3026).

Justification for the amendment is to implement a demonstration project authorizing a standard medical expense deduction for elderly or disabled household members. Food stamp regulations currently allow states to provide a deduction for the actual cost of medical expenses that exceed $35 a month. DHS has requested a waiver from the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) that would allow elderly or disabled household members to choose between a standard expense of $137 a month or actual expenses. The standard amount may vary slightly if adjustments are necessary to meet federal cost neutrality requirements. DHS is authorized to conduct this demonstration project by 7 Code of Federal Regulations §282.1.

The department received no comments regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Human Resources Code, Title 2, Chapter 33, which authorizes the department to administer nutritional assistance programs.

The amendment implements the Human Resources Code, §§33.001-33.027.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204205

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Effective date: September 1, 2002

Proposal publication date: April 12, 2002

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


Part 3. TEXAS COMMISSION ON ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE

Chapter 141. GENERAL PROVISIONS

40 TAC §141.21

The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (commission) adopts the repeal of §141.21 of Chapter 141--General Provisions, concerning Advisory Councils. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the May 24, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4549).

Section 141.21 pertains to the responsibilities of the commission's Regional Advisory Consortia (RAC), Multicultural Affairs Advisory Council (MAAC), and Statewide Planning Committee (SPC).

The commission adopts the repeal of §141.21 because of extensive changes to the existing rule. The adopted new rule, which will be submitted for publication in the July 19, 2002 issue of the Texas Register consolidates responsibilities of the RAC, MAAC, and SPC, into one advisory group, the Statewide Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC).

No comments were received regarding the repeal.

The repeal is adopted under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §461.012(a)(15) which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules governing the functions of the Commission.

The code affected by the adoption is the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 6, Subtitle B, §461.012(a)(15).

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204202

Karen Pettigrew

General Counsel

Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 349-6607


40 TAC §141.21

The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (commission) adopts new §141.21 of Chapter 141--General Provisions, concerning Statewide Planning Advisory Committee with changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4550).

The commission changed the name of its new advisory group from Statewide Advisory Planning Council to Statewide Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC) to more accurately reflect the role of the advisory group and to reflect the name used in the Statewide Service Delivery Plan and the Strategic Plan.

The commission also made changes to §141.21(a) to ensure that the composition of the SPAC is geographically well rounded and reflective of the commission's constituents.

In §141.21(b) the commission increased the number of members on the SPAC from 15 to 20 and added a report by the executive director to the board regarding appointees to the committee.

The commission adopts the new rule to consolidate the responsibilities of the Commission's Regional Advisory Consortia, Multicultural Affairs Advisory Council, and Statewide Planning Committee, into one advisory group, the Statewide Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC) so that a more efficient and practical use of resources results.

Two written comments were received on the proposed new §141.21 and are listed below. Comment submitted by the Network of North Texas Substance Abuse Prevention/Intervention was received after the comment period ended.

Comment: The Association of Substance Abuse Programs (ASAP) supports the proposed development of a single statewide entity and looks forward to the implementation of an advisory structure at TCADA that is functional and actively utilized. To ensure all parts of the state are represented in an advisory capacity, ASAP suggest adding specific language to the proposed rule that ensures HHSC regional representation is achieved. ASAP also recommends expanding the maximum number of committee members to 20, and setting up an appointment application process whereby the commission's governing board ratifies the list of appointments made by the Executive Director.

Comment: Network of North Texas Substance Abuse Prevention/Intervention Providers suggest that all the commissioners be allowed to recommend members and have the final approval of membership.

Response: The commission made the following change to §141.21(a). The committee shall be composed of representatives from each of the 11 Health and Human Services regions and include consumers, family members, professionals, providers including those contracting with the Commission, and representatives from statewide agencies, organizations, educational institutions, and coalitions.

The commission made the following changes to §141.21(b). The commission increased the number of members on the SPAC from 15 to 20 and added a report by the executive director to the board regarding appointees to the committee.

The SPAC is to advise the Commission, which practically is the executive director and his staff. The board should be informed whether the executive director is complying with the rule. In addition the appointments to the SPAC will be more timely if made by the executive director.

This new rule is adopted under the Texas Health and Safety Code, §461.012(a)(15) which provides the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse with the authority to adopt rules governing the functions of the Commission.

The code affected by the adopted new rule is the Texas Health and Safety Code, Title 6, Subtitle B, §461.012(a)(15).

§141.21.Statewide Planning Advisory Committee.

(a) The commission establishes a Statewide Planning Advisory Committee (SPAC) to assist the Commission in planning and policy development. The SPAC shall consist of a geographically and culturally diverse group of individuals involved with substance abuse services and related issues. The committee shall be composed of representatives from each of the 11 Health and Human Services regions and include consumers, family members, professionals, providers including those contracting with the Commission, and representatives from statewide agencies, organizations, educational institutions, and coalitions.

(b) The SPAC consists of no more than 20 individuals. Members are appointed by the commission's executive director and serve for staggered three-year terms. The executive director will advise the Commission's governing board of the extent to which committee members meet the membership criteria.

(c) The purpose of the SPAC is to:

(1) assist the commission in developing and implementing the Strategic Plan, the Statewide Service Delivery Plan, and the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment block grant application;

(2) participate in the development of rules and standards;

(3) work with the commission in addressing substance abuse needs across the state; and

(4) provide input on other issues as requested by the commission.

(d) The SPAC shall develop bylaws to govern its operations.

(e) Each year, the SPAC shall submit proposed goals and objectives and a report of its activities and achievements to the commission's executive director.

(f) The commission shall provide administrative support to the SPAC.

(g) Members may be reimbursed for travel expenses only when funds are appropriated for this purpose.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204201

Karen Pettigrew

General Counsel

Texas Commission On Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 349-6607


Chapter 148. FACILITY LICENSURE

Subchapter B. LICENSURE INFORMATION

40 TAC §148.31

The Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse (commission) adopts amendment to §148.31, concerning Facility Licensure without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002, issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4550). Adopted amendment will not be republished since there are no changes.

The commission adopts amendment to §148.31 to close a loophole involving facilities that surrender their license and establish the length of time that must pass before a formerly licensed facility becomes eligible to receive faith-based exemption under Chapter 145.

Two comments were received in writing on the amendment to §148.31 and are listed below.

Comment: I believe if a license is revoked for abuse or neglect that the person or facility should not be allowed a faith based license period. Two years is not enough time.

Response: The two-year period is consistent with other rules the commission has in place regarding voluntary surrender of license.

Comment: Please clarify what is meant by "a facility who surrendered its license after an administrative hearing to revoke the license has been noticed...".

Response: The language closes a loophole involving facilities that surrender their license after the initiation of contested case proceedings and refers to the commission's notification to an entity (Notice of Hearing) that the commission is going to hearing to take action against its license.

This amendment is adopted under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 464 which provides the commission with the authority to adopt rules licensing chemical dependency treatment facilities.

The code affected by the adopted amendment is the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 464.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204203

Karen Pettigrew

General Counsel

Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 349-6607


Part 12. TEXAS BOARD OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EXAMINERS

Chapter 362. DEFINITIONS

40 TAC §362.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §362.1, concerning Definitions, without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4554) and will not be republished.

The section was amended to clarify terms which were not consistent.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 456, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204197

John Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board Of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 363. CONSUMER/LICENSEE INFORMATION

40 TAC §363.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §363.1, concerning Consumer/Licensee Information, without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4555) and will not be republished.

The section was amended to make current the reference to the OT Practice Act.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 456, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204195

John Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 364. REQUIREMENTS FOR LICENSURE

40 TAC §364.1, §364.3

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §364.1, concerning Requirements for Licensure and §364.3. Temporary License, without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4555) and will not be republished.

The section was amended to recognize application from the US military and add a time limit duration for the temporary license.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 456, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204194

John Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 369. DISPLAY OF LICENSES

40 TAC §369.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §369.1, concerning Display of Licenses, without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4556) and will not be republished.

The section was amended to make current the reference to the OT Practice Act.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 456, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204193

John Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 372. PROVISION OF SERVICES

40 TAC §372.1

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §372.1, concerning Provision of Services, without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4556) and will not be republished.

The section was amended to clarify terms.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 456, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204192

John Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Chapter 373. SUPERVISION

40 TAC §§373.1 - 373.3

The Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners adopts amendments to §373.1, concerning Supervision of Non-Licensed Personnel, §373.2 concerning Supervision of a Temporary Licensee, and §373.3 concerning Supervision of a Licensed Occupational Therapy Assistant without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4557) and will not be republished.

The section was amended to clarify terms and procedures.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act, Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 456, Occupations Code, which provides the Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners with the authority to adopt rules consistent with this Act to carry out its duties in administering this Act.

Title 3, Subchapter H, Chapter 454 of the Occupations Code is affected by this amended section.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204191

John Maline

Executive Director

Texas Board of Occupational Therapy Examiners

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 305-6900


Part 20. TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION

Chapter 800. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

Subchapter D. INCENTIVE AWARD RULES

40 TAC §800.121

The Texas Workforce Commission (Commission) adopts new §800.121 regarding Job Placement Awards without changes as proposed in the May 24, 2002 issue of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 4558). The text will not be republished.

The purpose of the new rule is to implement provisions relating to Texas Labor Code §302.009. The rule sets forth the steps in the process the Commission intends to follow in awarding funds to create incentives for persons with whom Boards contract to assist Choices individuals in obtaining employment, as defined in 40 TAC Chapter 811, in higher wage jobs.

The first step is for the Commission to set aside funds for the awards. The Commission will then compare the Boards by examining the percentage of increase in the wages earned by Choices individuals in the workforce area from one year to the next year. The Commission will distribute award funds to Boards that achieve the highest percentage of increases in wages of Choices individuals. The Commission will select the top performers in categories established by the Commission, such as, small, medium and large Boards.

The second step is for each Board that receives the award funds to set policies and procedures for awarding the funds to the contractors in the Board's workforce area. The award funds shall be expended only for the purposes related to education, training and support services as necessary to prepare, place, and maintain Choices individuals in employment leading to self-sufficiency.

The Commission intends to use Unemployment Insurance quarterly wage information on Choices individuals in employment. The rationale for using the UI wage records for all Choices individuals in employment during a year is to reflect overall improvements in wages earned by Choices individuals in a workforce area, while using reporting and data sources already available to the Commission. This simplified approach will provide Boards with the flexibility to benefit from either or both increases in the number of Choices individuals in employment or the increases in the wages earned by each Choices individual. The Boards will then have the flexibility to reward contractors as determined appropriate by the Boards.

For purposes of this rule, and as referenced in 40 TAC §811.2, proposed on February 22, 2002 for public comment, "Choices individuals" that will include the following:

Applicants, who are persons who apply for temporary cash assistance;

Recipients, who are persons who are adults or teen heads of household who receive temporary cash assistance; and

Former recipients, who are persons who are adults or teen heads of household who no longer receive temporary cash assistance.

No comments were received on the proposed rules.

For more information about the Commission and services available see www.texasworkforce.org .

The new rule is adopted under Texas Labor Code §301.061 and §302.002, which provide the Commission with the authority to adopt, amend, or repeal such rules as it deems necessary for the effective administration of Agency services and activities. The rule is also proposed under Texas Labor Code §302.009, which provides the Commission with the authority to develop rules relating to the job placement incentives.

The adopted new rule affects the Texas Labor Code, Title 4.

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 July 2, 2002.

TRD-200204200

John Moore

Assistant General Counsel

Texas Workforce Commission

Effective date: July 22, 2002

Proposal publication date: May 24, 2002

For further information, please call: (512) 463-2573