TITLE 37.PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS

Part 3. TEXAS YOUTH COMMISSION

Chapter 91. PROGRAM SERVICES

Subchapter D. HEALTH CARE SERVICES

37 TAC §91.99

(Editor's note: The text of the following section proposed for repeal will not be published.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 Texas Youth Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The Texas Youth Commission (the commission) proposes the repeal of §91.99, Medical Admissions for Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility. The repeal of the section will allow for a significantly revised rule to be published in its place. The revised rule can be found in this issue of the Texas Register .

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

Neil Nichols, General Counsel, has determined that for each year of the first five years the repeal is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of repealing the section will be the publication of an updated rule to replace this section. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the repeal as proposed. No private real property rights are affected by adoption of this repeal.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Chief of Policy Administration, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or e-mail to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The repeal is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.034, which provides the commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of its function.

The proposed repeal implements the Human Resources Code, §61.034.

§91.99.Medical Admissions for Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility.

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 February 2, 2005.

TRD-200500460

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 20, 2005

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


37 TAC §91.99

The Texas Youth Commission (the commission) proposes new §91.99, Medical Admissions for Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility. The new section will provide a greater consistency and clarity as to the medical admission of youth at Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility (APSJCF) Medical Recovery Dorm (MRD). The MRD is a male only dorm for youth who have chronic illnesses requiring frequent monitoring by medical staff or youth with acute conditions that require frequent care. Youth may be referred to the MRD from the commission's operated institutions or high restriction contract care programs. The new section also provides criteria and procedures as to when a youth is placed in the MRD for medical reasons.

Robin McKeever, 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.

Neil Nichols, General Counsel, 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 allow for accurate and clear procedures for medical admission to the MRD program at Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility. 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 within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Chief of Policy Administration, Texas Youth Commission, 4900 North Lamar, P.O. Box 4260, Austin, Texas 78765, or e-mail to deanna.lloyd@tyc.state.tx.us.

The new section is proposed under the Human Resources Code, §61.076, which provides the commission with the authority to provide any medical treatment that is necessary for Texas Youth Commission youth.

The proposed section implements the Human Resources Code, §61.034.

§91.99.Medical Admissions for Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this rule is to establish criteria and procedures for medical admission of youth to the Al Price State Juvenile Correctional Facility (APSJCF) Medical Recovery Dorm (MRD). The MRD is a male only dorm for Texas Youth Commission (TYC) youth who have chronic illnesses requiring frequent monitoring by medical staff or youth with acute conditions that require frequent care. Youth may be referred to the MRD from TYC-operated institutions or high restriction contract care programs.

(b) Applicability. When a youth is placed in the MRD for medical reasons, this policy must be read in conjunction with:

(1) §91.81 of this title (relating to Medical Consent).

(2) §91.83 of this title (relating to Criteria for Health Care).

(3) §91.85 of this title (relating to Medical Care).

(4) §91.92 of this title (relating to Psychotropic Medication-Related Emergencies).

(5) §87.1 of this title (relating to Case Planning).

(c) Explanation of Terms Used.

(1) Admission Review Team--is a team that reviews referrals for medical admission to the MRD. At a minimum, the admission review team consists of a program administrator (PA), facility nurse manager or designee, primary service worker (PSW), juvenile corrections officer VI (JCO) and a psychologist.

(2) Phase Assessment Team (PAT)--is responsible for monitoring and assessing a youth's progress through the Resocialization program. At a minimum, the PAT consists of the PA or designee, PSW, JCO, facility nurse manager or designee and designated education staff.

(d) Admission Criteria. Youth from a residential setting or Marlin Orientation and Assessment Unit (MOAU) may be eligible for placement to the MRD for medical reasons according to the following criteria:

(1) youth with a chronic condition who need more frequent health counseling to manage their disease upon release, youth whose chronic condition is uncontrolled, or youth whose condition requires frequent medical monitoring. Examples of conditions include, but are not limited to, uncontrolled diabetes, hepatitis B or C, sickle cell disease or multiple sclerosis; or

(2) youth with acute conditions that require more frequent care. Examples of conditions include, but are not limited to, severe fractures or post-operative care. These youth would be considered to be in need of transitional care; or

(3) youth requiring frequent trips to University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) for any reason. Examples include, but not limited to, extensive diagnostic testing or chemotherapy.

(e) Admission Process.

(1) Youth may be referred from the MOAU or from another facility or high restriction contract care program to the MRD. If referred from another facility or high restriction contract care program, the action is considered an administrative transfer under §85.45 of this title (relating to Movement Without Program Completion). Youth may contest such a transfer by filing a complaint under §93.31 of this title (relating to Complaints Resolution System).

(A) A referral packet is completed and forwarded with the appropriate signature from the sending superintendent or the quality assurance administrator to the MRD admissions review team at APSJCF.

(B) The admission review team will review the referral packet to determine if the MRD placement is appropriate for the youth.

(2) Emergency Referrals. If an emergency exists, the sending superintendent or the quality assurance administrator may request of the APSJCF superintendent immediate placement in the MRD.

(f) General MRD Requirements.

(1) The MRD focus will be on the coordination and provision of health care services.

(2) Health care services will be provided in the MRD, and the APSJCF infirmary, whichever is most appropriate.

(3) Parents or guardians of youth under the age of 18 will be notified of all movements to or from the MRD, any significant change in medical condition or if their child is on psychotropic medication. Youth 18 or older must give consent to disclose any of the information listed above to parents or guardians.

(g) MRD Requirements.

(1) Individual Case Plan (ICP) reflecting treatment goals shall be developed for and with each youth. Refer to §87.1 of this title.

(2) The facility nurse manager or designee will provide updates at the monthly PAT meeting regarding medical treatment goals and objectives. The PSW will incorporate the medical treatment goals and objectives into the youth's ICP.

(3) The PAT shall conduct a review of the youth's progress at least every 30 days in conjunction with the ICP review until the youth's placement in the MRD has ended. The review must:

(A) find that the admission criteria continue to be met;

(B) find that the treatment needs are appropriate;

(C) update the ICP to include reasons for continued stay in the MRD.

(4) Upon a determination by the PAT that the youth has met program completion criteria, the youth will be released or transferred under the appropriate rule:

(A) §85.55 of this title (relating to Program Completion for Other Than Sentenced Offenders).

(B) §85.59 of this title (relating to Program Completion for Sentenced Offenders Under Age 19).

(C) §85.61 of this title (relating to Program Completion for Sentenced Offenders Age 19 or Older).

(D) §85.69 of this title (relating to Program Completion for Sentenced Offenders Adjudicated for Capital Murder).

(E) §85.41 of this title (relating to Maximum Length of Stay for Other Than Type A Violent and Sentenced Offenders).

(h) Release from the MRD.

(1) Upon a determination by the youth's physician, that the youth's medical condition is stable enough to be released, transitioned, or transferred from the MRD, the PAT recommends to the APSJCF superintendent the release, transition or administrative/TDCJ transfer of a youth from the MRD. The facility's physician will be consulted when questions arise regarding the release, transition or transfer. The TYC medical director may be consulted before making final decisions regarding the release, transition or transfer of youth from the MRD.

(2) The admission review team may recommend the youth to remain at the APSJCF.

(3) The APSJCF superintendent must approve the release, transition, or transfer of youth from the MRD.

(4) If the youth has not completed the program completion criteria, the youth will be returned to his/her originally assigned facility. This is considered an administrative transfer as described in §85.45 of this title, unless the original assignment was APSJCF. This movement is considered a dorm change.

(5) When a youth is released, transitioned, or administrative transferred or transferred to TDCJ, the PSW will ensure that a summary of pertinent medical information and required follow-up care is included in the transition ICP in the special needs section.

(i) Transportation.

(1) The referring facility will make the transportation arrangements to APSJCF for initial admission referrals.

(2) When a youth is medically released and needs to be transported, APSJCF will request transportation through statewide transportation. See §117.7 of this title (relating to Terminations/Discharges (Article VII, NAJCA)).

(3) When required by a youth's condition, the APSJCF medical van will be used to transport the youth to and from APSJCF.

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 February 2, 2005.

TRD-200500461

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 20, 2005

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


Chapter 99. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Subchapter C. MISCELLANEOUS

37 TAC §99.90

The Texas Youth Commission (the commission) proposes an amendment to §99.90, Vehicle Fleet Management. The amendment to the section will provide clarity for using "pooled" vehicles and personal vehicles and include who is responsible for compiling and reporting the annual Fleet Operations Indirect Costs report to Texas Building Procurement Commission. Minor grammatical changes also occurred.

Robin McKeever, 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.

Neil Nichols, General Counsel, 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 reflect the statutory requirements mandated by the Texas Building Procurement Commission, Office of Vehicle Fleet Management's State Vehicle Fleet Management Plan . 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 within 30 days of the publication of this notice to DeAnna Lloyd, Chief of Policy Administration, 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, §61.034, which provides the commission with the authority to make rules appropriate to the proper accomplishment of it functions.

The proposed amendment implements the Human Resources Code, §61.034.

§99.90.Vehicle Fleet Management.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Explanation of Terms Used.

(1) Fleet Manager--a TYC employee in the Central Office Support Services Department [ central office business services department ] who is responsible for day-to-day agency-wide fleet management. Responsibilities include guidance to Central Office [ central office ] and field fleet motor pool operations and maintenance, data collection and reporting, and acting as the central point of contact with the TBPC OVFM.

(2) - (3) (No change.)

(4) Vehicle Utilization Board (VUB)--a special TYC Board [ board ] appointed by the deputy executive director and chaired by the assistant deputy executive director for financial support with members from the TYC Finance and Juvenile Corrections Departments [ finance and juvenile corrections departments ] that oversee development and implementation of TYC fleet management policy, and make recommendations to the Executive Committee [ executive committee ] relative to agency vehicle fleet matters such as vehicle authorization levels, purchasing and replacement.

(5) - (9) (No change.)

(c) Applicability. This rule applies to all TYC staff[ , state-employed contract nurses, ] and volunteers under certain circumstances.

(d) Fleet Management Structure.

(1) The TYC Executive Committee [ executive committee ] will provide executive level oversight and support and be the final approval authority for major vehicle fleet decisions relative to policy, authorization levels, and appropriations requests based on the recommendations of the TYC VUB and agency fleet manager.

(2) (No change.)

(3) The fleet manager will make purchasing, replacement, repair, assignment and use, disposal decisions and recommendations to the VUB and Executive Committee [ executive committee ] as appropriate. The fleet manager coordinates the rotation of authorized vehicles between agency locations based on mission and utilization requirements.

(4) The VCO will be the fleet manager in Central Office [ central office ], business manager at the institutions, superintendent at the halfway houses, and quality assurance administrator/parole supervisor at the service areas. VCO's are responsible for maintenance and repair of vehicles, scheduling use of motor pool vehicles, collecting and reporting fleet data, securing and issuing keys and fuel cards and documenting return of same. The VCO is required to sign the Agreement for Vehicle Control Officer form, BSD-807 and submit the form to the fleet manager in Central Office [ central office ].

(e) (No change.)

(f) Explanation of Motor Pool.

(1) TYC will form statewide motor pools based on the primary function or utilization of each vehicle. Each agency vehicle will be assigned within an agency motor pool at a specific location and made available for checkout for official duty purposes where applicable. Each agency location will be authorized a specific number of vehicles within each designated utilization pool based on relative size or unique mission requirements. Vehicles will be rotated among locations and pools as necessary to meet utilization and efficiency criteria. Sub-pools may be formed at a location for more efficient management or utilization purposes. The following statewide pools will be formed.

(A) (No change.)

(B) Administrative Support Vehicles.

(i) Pool vehicles will be made available for employee check-out as needed with local responsibility for prioritizing their use in the event of conflicting requirements. Administrative vehicle utilization can be augmented with leased or rental vehicles within mission and budget requirements.

(ii) When needs exceed availability, the chief local administrator (CLA) will ensure the "best value" between using pool vehicles, rental vehicles, and/or personal reimbursement and make assignments accordingly. Employees cannot be required to use their personal vehicles for state business.

(C) - (D) (No change.)

(E) Special Requirements Vehicles. The heavy equipment or special purpose vehicles, such as dump trucks, fire trucks, and staked flatbed trucks are [ , ] specifically authorized at some TYC locations because of unique circumstances or need.

(2) Individual Vehicle Assignments. The executive director may assign state owned vehicles to an individual or executive employee on a regular basis only with written documentation that the assignment is critical to the mission of the agency. The following information must be reported to the OVFM as individual assignments occur. For specific policy and procedures regarding state vehicle assignment(s) refer to TYC's Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual (PRS) [ § ]43.15 [ of this title ] (relating to State Vehicle Assignments).

(A) (No change.)

(B) name and position of the individual to whom it is assigned unless a determination is made by the Executive Committee [ executive committee ] that there is a law enforcement or security determination and the vehicle has been issued alias license plates; and

(C) (No change.)

(3) TYC will establish and maintain the general minimum mileage criteria for its pooled vehicles based on the guidelines provided by OVFM. The [ agency ] fleet manager will track utilization and initiate actions to rotate vehicles between locations or pools to meet minimum utilization criteria. The [ agency ] fleet manager will assist the VCOs as necessary in identifying [ identify ] unique requirements and justification for specific other minimum use criteria for OVFM consideration and waiver. The fleet manager will provide responses and justification to OVFM within 30 days of receipt of the semi-annual [ quarterly ] vehicle utilization reports.

(4) - (5) (No change.)

(6) TYC will out-source maintenance and repair of fleet assets unless it is demonstrated to be more economical to perform those functions in-house. TYC will seek [ develop ] interagency agreements to obtain maintenance, repairs and fuel where feasible.

(7) - (8) (No change.)

(9) The fleet manager will collect, compile and report the data for the annual Fleet Operations Indirect Costs report to TBPC based on data provided by the VCOs.

(g) Driving Requirements.

(1) Authorized Drivers. Individuals [ Persons ] authorized to drive a state owned vehicle, privately owned vehicle, or a leased vehicle on TYC business shall do so in a responsible manner obeying all state laws and in compliance with the following rules. [ This policy applies to vehicles that are driven on public roads, highways and on the grounds of TYC facilities. ] For specific procedures regarding authorized drivers refer to (PRS) [ § ]43.13 [ to this title ] (relating to Driving Requirements).

(2) General Driver Rules.

(A) State vehicles shall be used only for official business. Official business may include travel directly to an employee's home the night before official travel begins or travel directly from an employee's home to his/her work site the morning after official travel ends when such is authorized by the employee's supervisor and will expedite the employee's travel or otherwise make the most efficient use of the employee's time. See (PRS) [ § ]43.13 [ to this title ] (relating to Driving Requirements).

[(B) State owned vehicles will be available to TYC staff, volunteers, and contract nurses to transport youth at TYC staffed facilities in emergencies.]

(B) [ (C) ] Drivers and passengers are not permitted to smoke or use tobacco while operating or traveling in a state owned vehicle.

(C) [ (D) ] Drivers and passengers are not permitted to consume or transport alcohol while operating or traveling in a state owned vehicle.

(3) Vehicle Accident. If an authorized [ the ] driver is involved in an accident, he/she should notify his/her supervisor and the VCO immediately. If the accident occurs on a public thoroughfare, the proper authorities must be notified. See (PRS) [ § ]43.13 [ to this title ] (relating to Driving Requirements).

(4) Use of Fuel Cards. TYC assigned [ gasoline ] fuel credit cards [ assigned by TYC ] are to be used only for purchase of fuel [ gasoline ], standard preventive maintenance items (oil and filter changes, etc.) , car washes, and minor repairs [ and car washes ]. TYC issued fuel cards may be used only in state owned vehicles and vehicle(s) leased for state proposes. See (PRS) [ § ]43.13 [ to this title ] (relating to Driving Requirements).

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 February 2, 2005.

TRD-200500490

Dwight Harris

Executive Director

Texas Youth Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: March 20, 2005

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