TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES

Chapter 3. TEXAS WORKS

Subchapter WW. TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES--STATE PROGRAM

40 TAC §3.7603

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes to amend §3.7603, concerning eligibility, in its Texas Works chapter. The purpose of the amendment is to change the method in which the agency counts child support in a Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-State Program (TANF-SP) case. The Office of Attorney General (OAG) must distribute all child support collected directly to the household. DHS will count the collections as unearned income after disregarding up to $50 per month. Current policy requires that child support received in a TANF two-parent household be remitted to the state after certification.

James R. Hine, Commissioner, has determined that, for the first five-year period the proposed section is in effect, there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. Hine 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 section will be that the households will receive their entire child support payment. There will be no adverse economic effect on small or micro businesses, because the policy does not affect the operation of businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed section. There will be no anticipated effect on local employment in geographic areas affected by the proposal.

Questions about the content of this proposal may be directed to Eric McDaniel at (512) 438- 2909 in DHS's Texas Works policy section. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Supervisor, Rules and Handbooks Unit-115, Texas Department of Human Services E-205, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

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

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

§3.7603.Eligibility.

(a) Requirements. To be eligible for services under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families-State Program (TANF-SP) [ TANF-SP program ], the family must meet the requirements of this subchapter and the TANF requirements for applicants specified in this chapter.

(b) TANF-SP Child Support Requirements. The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adheres to the requirements and procedures stated in 45 Code of Federal Regulations, §§232.11-232.20, §§232.40-232.47, and §232.49 with the following exceptions [ an exception ] related to penalties for noncompliance and the retaining of child support . In regard to recipients subject to the requirements specified in §3.301(d) of this title (relating to Responsibilities of Clients and the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS)), DHS applies a noncompliance penalty as specified in §3.301(d)(5)(A) of this title (relating to Responsibilities of Clients and the Texas Department of Human Services (DHS)). The Office of the Attorney General will distribute child support directly to the TANF-SP household. DHS will budget the child support as unearned income and disregard up to $50 per household.

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 March 4, 2002.

TRD-200201310

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 14, 2002

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


Chapter 97. LICENSING STANDARDS FOR HOME AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES AGENCIES

Subchapter F. ENFORCEMENT

40 TAC §97.602

The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes to amend §97.602, concerning administrative penalties, in its Licensing Standards for Home and Community Support Services Agencies chapter. The purpose of the amendment is to correct an error in the adoption published in the November 9, 2001, issue of the Texas Register (26 TexReg 9216).

James R. Hine, Commissioner, 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 governments as a result of enforcing or administering the section.

Mr. Hine 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 adoption of the proposed rule will be to correct a typographical error in a rule that was adopted effective February 1, 2002. There will be no effect on small or micro businesses as a result of enforcing or administering the section. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed section. There is no anticipated effect on local employment in geographic areas affected by this section.

Questions about the content of this proposal may be directed to Linda Kotek at (512) 438- 3158 in DHS's Long-Term Care-Policy section. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Supervisor, Rules and Handbooks Unit-114, Texas Department of Human Services E-205, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register .

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 amendment is proposed under the Health and Safety Code, §142.017, which provides DHS with the authority to adopt rules relating to administrative penalties imposed on home and community support services agencies (HCSSAs).

The amendment implements the Health and Safety Code, §142.017.

§97.602.Administrative Penalties.

(a) - (b) (No change.)

(c) Correction period.

(1) (No change.)

(2) If an agency corrects the violation within the time periods described in paragraph (1) of this subsection, DHS may assess an administrative penalty only for one level II violation that occurred before the day on which the agency received written notice of the violation (statement of deficiencies). No administrative penalty would be assessed for a level I [ II ] violation.

(3) (No change.)

(d) - (e) (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 March 1, 2002.

TRD-200201281

Paul Leche

General Counsel, Legal Services

Texas Department of Human Services

Earliest possible date of adoption: April 14, 2002

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