TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 3. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION

Chapter 87. TREATMENT

Subchapter B. SPECIAL NEEDS OFFENDER PROGRAMS

37 TAC §87.75

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §87.75, concerning Mental Retardation Offender Program. The current title "Mental Retardation Treatment Program" implies that the MR program is "treating" the mentally retarded youth, which is not accurate (i.e., we are not going to cure or treat mental retardation), therefore, the proposed amendment is to change the title to read "Mentally Retarded Offender Program." The title amendment will accurately describe the MR program.

Don McCullough, Assistant Deputy Executive Director for Financial Support, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amended section.

Mr. McCullough also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendment is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amended section will be accurately describe the title of the TYC's Mentally Retarded program. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the amendment as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of this amendment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or e-mail to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.075 Determination of Treatment, which provides the Texas Youth Commission with the authority to order a youth's confinement under conditions it believes are best designed for the welfare of the youth and protection of the public.

The proposed amendment affects the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

§87.75. Mentally Retarded Offender [ Mental Retardation Treatment ] Program.

(a) Purpose. The Mentally Retarded Offender Program (MROP) [ Mental Retardation Treatment Program (MRTP) ] at Corsicana Residential Treatment Center (CRTC) is a specialized program for youth with Mental Retardation. The program will provide appropriate services for youth who have been identified as mentally retarded. The rule will establish admission criteria and procedures, and release/transition options for youth with mental retardation.

(b) Authorized Facility. The Corsicana Residential Treatment Center (CRTC) in Corsicana, Texas is the only facility authorized to administer the MROP [ MRTP ].

(c) (No change.)

(d) Admissions.

(1) Admission Criteria.

(A) Youth from a secure residential program may be admitted to the MROP [ MRTP ] if a diagnosis of mental retardation has been established according to the guidelines published in the most recent edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders of the American Psychiatric Association.

(B) Priority for admission will be based on the extent to which the youth's ability to function in Texas Youth Commission (TYC) programs is impaired by his/her mental retardation.

(2) (No change.)

(e) Program Requirements. The MROP [ MRTP ] will adapt the agency's Resocialization program to enable the progress of youth diagnosed with mental retardation. These adaptations will be documented monthly in the youth's Individual Case Plan (ICP).

(f) Release and Transition Options.

(1) Youth in the MROP [ MRTP ] who meet criteria for transfer or release according to (GAP) §85.29 of this title or (GAP) §85.33 of this title, may be transitioned to a less restrictive setting or paroled to the community.

(2) Youth may be transitioned from the MROP [ MRTP ] to an alternative placement if their functional ability improves to a level at which they can continue to progress with identified program adaptations in a general program.

(3) Youth in the MROP [ MRTP ] who have completed the initial minimum length of stay and are determined to be unable to progress in the agency's Resocialization Program due mental retardation in accordance with (GAP) §87.79 of this title shall be discharged.

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 January 29, 2004.

TRD-200400569

Neil Nichols

Interim Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 14, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6301


Chapter 91. PROGRAM SERVICES

Subchapter C. YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AND WORK

37 TAC §91.63

The Texas Youth Commission (TYC) proposes an amendment to §91.63, concerning Youth Industries Program, Initial Preparation. The amendment to the section will not impact the original purpose of the rule, but rather to update the staff involved in creating a Cost Accounting Center and to better match the language of the rule and activities to the State and Federal Legislation that govern Prison Industries Enhancement Programs.

Don McCullough, Assistant Deputy Executive Director for Financial Support, has determined that for the first five-year period the 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. McCullough 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 amended section will be compliance with the recently enacted legislation and the availability of accurate, clear, and updated TYC policies. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of this rule.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to DeAnna Lloyd, Policy Coordinator, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or email to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.121, which requires the Texas Youth Commission to provide adequate employment and vocational training for youth in its care.

The proposed rule affects the Human Resource Code, §61.034.

§91.63.Youth Industries Program, Initial Preparation.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Designation as a Cost Accounting Center. The Texas Youth Commission's (TYC's) Employment Training Program Administrator (ETPA) will seek a designation as a CAC for a proposed employer, whereby goods and services are made as a result of a TYC industry program may be sold in interstate commerce and to the federal government pursuant to Chapter 497 of the Government Code.

(c) Application. An employer who seeks a CAC designation shall submit to the ETPA the following:

(1)-(10) (No change.)

(11) Occupancy agreement (memorandum of understanding (MOU) with TYC ) ; and

(12) (No change.)

(d) Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program ( PIECP ) Wage and Displacement of Worker Assurance.

(1) As a part of the CAC designation process, the ETPA shall obtain from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) the following:

(A) the PIECP wage rates, which for TYC youth is the federal minimum wage because of the age of the youth and the extensive training component of their employment. [ a listing of Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) wage rates for similar jobs in the area where the place of employment is to be located or, if unavailable for the locality, a listing for similar jobs statewide; and ]

(B) (No change.)

(2) (No change.)

(e)-(h) (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 January 29, 2004.

TRD-200400570

Neil Nichols

Interim Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 14, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 424-6301


Part 13. TEXAS COMMISSION ON FIRE PROTECTION

Chapter 421. STANDARDS FOR CERTIFICATION

37 TAC §421.5

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) proposes an amendment to §421.5, concerning definitions in Chapter 421, entitled Standards for Certification.

The amendment adds to the existing definition of probationary or temporary appointment in paragraph (3)(B) the provision that an individual must have met the medical requirement of §423.1(b) if applicable. The amendment is proposed in conjunction with the proposal of an amendment to §423.1(b) which sets out a requirement for being appointed to fire suppression duties of successful completion of a TCFP recognized emergency medical course.

Mr. Jake Soteriou, Director of the Fire Service Standards and Certification Division, has determined that for the first five year period the proposed amendment is in effect there will be no significant fiscal impact on state or local governments.

Mr. Soteriou has also determined that for each of the first five years the proposed amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be a clear definition of the requirements for probationary or temporary appointment which include recent provisions for medical training, ensuring firefighters with a higher level of training serving the public. There are no additional costs of compliance for small or large businesses or individuals that are required to comply with the proposed amendment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to: Gary L. Warren, Sr., Executive Director, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, P.O. Box 2286, Austin, Texas 78768-2286 or e-mailed to info@tcfp.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Government Code, §419.008, which provides the TCFP with the authority to propose rules for the administration of its powers and duties, and Texas Government Code, §419.022(a)(5), which provides the TCFP with the authority to establish minimum standards for admission to employment as fire protection personnel.

Texas Government Code, §419.008 and §419.022 are affected by the proposed amendment.

§421.5.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this standards manual, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) - (2) (No change.)

(3) Appointment--the designation or assignment of a person to a discipline regulated by the commission. The types of appointments are:

(A) permanent appointment--the designation or assignment of certified fire protection personnel or certified part time fire protection employees to a particular discipline (See Texas Government Code, §419.032); and

(B) probationary or temporary appointment--the designation or assignment of an individual to a particular discipline, except for head of a fire department, for which the individual has passed the commission's certification examination and has met the medical requirement of §423.1(b), if applicable, but has not yet been certified. (See Texas Government Code, §419.032.)

(4) - (42) (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 January 28, 2004.

TRD-200400553

Gary L. Warren, Sr.

Executive Director

Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 14, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921


Chapter 423. FIRE SUPPRESSION

Subchapter A. MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR STRUCTURE FIRE PROTECTION PERSONNEL CERTIFICATION

37 TAC §423.1, §423.13

The Texas Commission on Fire Protection (TCFP) proposes amendments to §423.1, concerning minimum standards for structure fire protection personnel, and §423.13, concerning International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) seals, in Chapter 423, entitled Fire Suppression.

The amendment to §423.1 adds to the requirements for being appointed to fire suppression duties a medical training requirement which is defined as successful completion of a TCFP recognized emergency medical course. The amendment then lists the kinds of medical training that TCFP recognizes as follows: 1) Texas Department of Health Emergency Medical Service Personnel certification training; 2) an American Red Cross Emergency Response course; 3) an American Safety and Health Institute First Responder course; 4) National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification; or 5) medical training deemed equivalent by TCFP.

The amendment to §423.13 rewords subsection (d) concerning the way in which an individual can meet the medical requirements of National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standard 1001 in order to bring it into agreement with the concurrent proposed changes to §423.1.

Mr. Jake Soteriou, Director of the Fire Service Standards and Certification Division, has determined that for the first five year period the proposed amendments are in effect there will be no significant fiscal impact on state or local governments.

Mr. Soteriou has also determined that for each of the first five years the proposed amendments are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendments will be fire fighters with a higher level of training serving the public. There are no additional costs of compliance for small or large businesses or individuals that are required to comply with the proposed amendments.

Comments on the proposals may be submitted to: Gary L. Warren, Sr., Executive Director, Texas Commission on Fire Protection, P.O. Box 2286, Austin, Texas 78768-2286 or e-mailed to info@tcfp.state.tx.us.

The amendments are proposed under Texas Government Code, §419.008, which provides the TCFP with the authority to propose rules for the administration of its powers and duties, and Texas Government Code, §419.022(a)(5), which provides the TCFP with the authority to establish minimum standards for admission to employment as fire protection personnel.

Texas Government Code, §419.008 and §419.022 are affected by the proposed amendments.

§423.1.Minimum Standards for structure Fire Protection Personnel.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Prior to being appointed to fire suppression duties, personnel must complete a commission approved basic structure fire suppression program and successfully complete a commission recognized emergency medical course [ as a minimum the certification requirements and hold a current certification by the Texas Department of Health, as an emergency care attendant. Any higher level of emergency medical certification recognized by the Texas Department of Health, such as EMT or paramedic may also be used to satisfy the emergency medical training requirement of this section. Certification from the American Red Cross of successful completion of the American Red Cross Emergency Response course of at least 53 hours, including optional lessons and enrichment sections, may also be used to satisfy the training requirement of this section. A current medical certification with the National Registry or a medical certification from another jurisdiction deemed equivalent by the commission may also be used to satisfy the training requirement of this section ]. The individual must successfully pass the commission examination pertaining to that curriculum as required by §423.3 of this title. The commission recognizes the following medical emergency training:

(1) Texas Department of Health Emergency Medical Service Personnel certification training;

(2) an American Red Cross Emergency Response course, including the optional lessons and enrichment sections;

(3) an American Safety and Health Institute First Responder course;

(4) National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification; or

(5) medical training deemed equivalent by the commission.

(c) (No change.)

§423.13.International Fire Service Accreditation Congress (IFSAC) Seal.

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

(c) Individuals who pass the applicable section of a state examination on or after March 1, 2003, may be granted IFSAC seal(s) for First Responder Awareness, First Responder Operations, Fire Fighter I, and/or Fire Fighter II by making application to the commission for the IFSAC seal(s), paying applicable fee(s), and meeting any other NFPA requirements, provided they meet the following provisions . [ : ]

(1) To receive the IFSAC First Responder Awareness seal, the individual must:

(A) complete [ Complete ] the hazardous materials awareness section of a commission-approved course; and

(B) pass [ Pass ] the hazardous materials awareness section of a commission examination.

(2) To receive the IFSAC First Responder Operations seal, the individual must:

(A) complete [ Complete ] the hazardous materials operations section of a commission-approved course;

(B) document [ Document ] possession of an IFSAC First Responder Awareness seal or a passing score on the corresponding section of a commission examination; and

(C) pass [ Pass ] the First Responder Operations section of a commission examination.

(3) To receive the IFSAC Fire Fighter I seal, the individual must:

(A) complete [ Complete ] a commission-approved Fire Fighter I course;

(B) provide [ Provide ] medical documentation as outlined in subsection (d) of this section;

(C) document [ Document ] possession of an IFSAC First Responder Awareness seal or a passing score on the corresponding section of a commission examination; and

(D) pass [ Pass ] the Fire Fighter I section of a commission examination.

(4) To receive the IFSAC Fire Fighter II seal, the individual must:

(A) complete [ Complete ] a commission-approved Fire Fighter II course;

(B) document [ Document ] possession of an IFSAC First Responder Operations seal or a passing score on the corresponding section of a commission examination;

(C) document [ Document ] possession of an IFSAC Fire Fighter I seal or a passing score on the corresponding section of a commission examination and provide medical documentation as outlined in subsection (d) of this section; and

(D) pass [ Pass ] the Fire Fighter II section of a commission examination.

(d) In order for an individual to meet the medical requirements of NFPA 1001, the individual must document successful completion of medical emergency training. The commission recognizes the following medical emergency training as meeting the medical requirements of NFPA 1001 [ one of the following ]:

(1) [ Current certification by the ] Texas Department of Health [ as ] Emergency Medical Service Personnel certification training ;

(2) American Red Cross certification showing successful completion of [ at least ] a [ 53-hour ] course (including optional lessons and enrichment sections); [ or ]

(3) American Safety and Health Institute First Responder certification showing successful completion of a course;

(4) [ (3) ] National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicans certification [ A medical certification from another jurisdiction deemed equivalent by the commission. ] ; or

(5) medical training deemed equivalent by the commission.

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 January 28, 2004.

TRD-200400554

Gary L. Warren, Sr.

Executive Director

Texas Commission on Fire Protection

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 14, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 239-4921