TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 1. DEPARTMENT OF AGING AND DISABILITY SERVICES

Chapter 2. MENTAL RETARDATION AUTHORITY RESPONSIBILITIES

Subchapter L. SERVICE COORDINATION FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL RETARDATION

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), on behalf of the Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS), adopts amendments to §§2.553-2.556, 2.558, and 2.562; and adopts the repeal of §§2.563-2.565 in Chapter 2, Subchapter L, governing Service Coordination for Individuals with Mental Retardation, without changes to the proposed text published in the April 15, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 2167).

The amendments are adopted to update agency names, correct mailing and website addresses, and correct referenced citations that were rendered incorrect upon transfer of the rules from Title 25, Part 2 to Title 40, Part 1 of the Texas Administrative Code. This transfer resulted from the consolidation of several state agencies, including part of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (TDMHMR), to create DADS.

The amendment to §2.554(c)(1)(B) is adopted to correct an outdated reference. The amendment to §2.556(c) is adopted to replace the provision to review an individual's plan of services and supports on a quarterly basis with the provision to revise the individual's plan when the individual's needs change or when the individual, legally authorized representative or actively involved person, service provider, or other person provides relevant information indicating revision of the plan is appropriate. The quarterly review of the individual's plan of services and supports was based on a standard of review established for individuals with mental illness. For an individual with mental retardation, DADS believes it is more suitable to revise the plan when the individual's needs change or when relevant information indicates a revision is appropriate. The amendment to §2.556 also requires the plan to be revised using a person-directed planning process that is consistent with DADS' Person Directed Planning and Family Directed Planning Guidelines for Individuals with Mental Retardation .

The repeal of §2.563 is adopted to delete an obsolete reference. The repeal of §2.564 and §2.565 is adopted to make this subchapter consistent with the majority of DADS rules, which do not include sections about references and distribution.

DADS received no comments regarding adoption of the amendments and repeal.

40 TAC §§2.553 - 2.556, 2.558, 2.562

The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code, §531.0055, which provides that the HHSC executive commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including DADS; Texas Human Resources Code, §161.021, which provides that the Aging and Disability Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the HHSC executive commissioner and the DADS commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by DADS; and Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides HHSC with the authority to administer federal funds and plan and direct the Medicaid program in each agency that operates a portion of the Medicaid program.

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 11, 2005.

TRD-200502827

Phoebe Knauer

General Counsel

Department of Aging and Disability Services

Effective date: August 1, 2005

Proposal publication date: April 15, 2005

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


40 TAC §§2.563 - 2.565

The repeal is adopted under Texas Government Code, §531.0055, which provides that the HHSC executive commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including DADS; Texas Human Resources Code, §161.021, which provides that the Aging and Disability Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the HHSC executive commissioner and the DADS commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by DADS; and Texas Government Code, §531.021, which provides HHSC with the authority to administer federal funds and plan and direct the Medicaid program in each agency that operates a portion of the Medicaid program.

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 11, 2005.

TRD-200502828

Phoebe Knauer

General Counsel

Department of Aging and Disability Services

Effective date: August 1, 2005

Proposal publication date: April 15, 2005

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


Part 5. TEXAS VETERANS LAND BOARD

Chapter 176. VETERANS HOMES

40 TAC §176.7

The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) adopts the amendments to Title 40, Part 5, Chapter 176, §176.7, relating to Admission Requirements. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the April 1, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1907) and will not be republished.

Previously, the definition of veteran found in §176.7(a)(2) reflected requirements found in United States Code that governs the State Home Programs. The amendments to §176.7 update the definition of veteran to reflect the definition used for all other VLB programs, as defined by Texas Natural Resources Code §161.001(a)(7).

No comments were received regarding any of the proposed amendments to §176.7.

The amendments are adopted under the Natural Resources Code, §164.004(6), which authorizes the VLB to adopt rules and procedures for among other things the operation of Veterans Homes. The amendments are adopted under Natural Resources Code §161.001(b), which authorizes the VLB to change the definition of "veteran" as necessary or appropriate to protect the best interests of the Texas State Veterans Home Program.

Texas Natural Resources Code §161.001(a)(7) is affected by the adopted amendments.

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 15, 2005.

TRD-200502899

Larry L. Laine

Chief Clerk, Deputy Commissioner

Texas Veterans Land Board

Effective date: August 4, 2005

Proposal publication date: April 1, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 475-1859