TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 10. TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICE COMMISSION

Chapter 201. LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT--PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

22 TAC §201.3

The Texas Funeral Service Commission (Commission) proposes an amendment to Title 22, §201.3, concerning Complaints and Investigations.

The amendment is proposed because HB 587 (78th Legislature, Regular Session) added new Chapter 716 to the Health and Safety Code, giving the Commission regulatory authority over crematories and cremation transactions. The recommended amendment reflects that expanded enforcement authority.

O.C. "Chet" Robbins, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect, there will be no fiscal implication for state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendment.

Mr. Robbins further has determined that for each of the first five-year period the amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be eliminating the oral exit interviews in order to expedite the licensure of qualified applicants thereby allowing them to be placed into the community sooner. There will be no effect on large, small or micro-businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the amendment as proposed. There is no impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mr. Robbins at P.O. Box 12217, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-1440, 512-479-5064 (fax), or electronically to chet.robbins@tfsc.state.tx.us.

The amendment to §201.3 is proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §651.152. The commission interprets §651.152 as authorizing it to adopt rules as necessary to administer Chapter 651.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposal.

§201.3.Complaints and Investigations.

(a) Any person may file a complaint with the commission concerning any licensee’s violation of Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 651, the rules promulgated by the commission, Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapters 193, 361, and 711 - 716 [ 715 ], or Texas Finance Code, Chapter 154. Staff will furnish a form that a person may use for the purpose of filing a complaint in writing. The form will include space for the following information:

(1) - (5) (No change.)

(b) - (c) (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 May 19, 2005.

TRD-200502015

O.C. "Chet" Robbins

Executive Director

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 3, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 936-2466


22 TAC §201.11

The Texas Funeral Service Commission (Commission) proposes an amendment to Title 22, §201.11, concerning Disciplinary Guidelines.

The amendment is proposed because HB 587 (78th Legislature, Regular Session) added new Chapter 716 to the Health and Safety Code, giving the Commission regulatory authority over crematories and cremation transactions. The recommended amendment reflects that expanded enforcement authority.

O.C. "Chet" Robbins, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect, there will be no fiscal implication for state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendment.

Mr. Robbins further has determined that for each of the first five-year period the amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be eliminating the oral exit interviews in order to expedite the licensure of qualified applicants thereby allowing them to be placed into the community sooner. There will be no effect on large, small or micro-businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the amendment as proposed. There is no impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mr. Robbins at P.O. Box 12217, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-1440, 512-479-5064 (fax), or electronically to chet.robbins@tfsc.state.tx.us.

The amendment to §201.11 is proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §651.152. The commission interprets §651.152 as authorizing it to adopt rules as necessary to administer Chapter 651.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposal.

§201.11.Disciplinary Guidelines.

When the commission finds that a [ provisional ] licensee [ , individual licensee, funeral establishment or commercial embalming establishment ] has [ committed any of the acts or ] violated [ any of the provisions of the Texas ] Occupations Code Chapter 651 ; Health and Safety Code Sections 711.003, 711.008, 711.010, 711.011,711.021-711.035, 711.038, 711.041, 711.042, 711.061, 711.062, Chapter 716; or any [ of the provisions ] of the commission’s rules [ and regulations promulgated in Title 22 Texas Administrative Code Chapters 201-210 ], it shall:

(1) - (6) (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 May 19, 2005.

TRD-200502016

O.C. "Chet" Robbins

Executive Director

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 3, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 936-2466


Chapter 203. LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT--SPECIFIC SUBSTANTIVE RULES

22 TAC §203.23

The Texas Funeral Service Commission (Commission) proposes an amendment to §203.23, concerning Location of Retained Records.

The amendment is proposed to expedite the approval of a records exemption request.

O.C. "Chet" Robbins, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendment is in effect, there will be no fiscal implication for state or local governments as a result of enforcing or administering the proposed amendment.

Mr. Robbins further has determined that for each of the first five-year period the amendment is in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the amendment will be eliminating the oral exit interviews in order to expedite the licensure of qualified applicants thereby allowing them to be placed into the community sooner. There will be no effect on large, small or micro-businesses. There is no anticipated economic costs to persons who are required to comply with the amendment as proposed. There is no impact on local employment.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mr. Robbins at P.O. Box 12217, Capitol Station, Austin, Texas 78711-1440, (512) 479-5064 (fax), or electronically to chet.robbins@tfsc.state.tx.us.

The amendment is proposed under Texas Occupations Code, §651.152. The commission interprets §651.152 as authorizing it to adopt rules as necessary to administer Chapter 651.

No other statutes, articles, or codes are affected by the proposal.

§203.23.Location of Retained Records.

(a) All records required for retention by Texas Occupations Code Chapter 651 and rules of this title, will be maintained for a minimum of two years within the physical confines of the licensed establishment where the funeral arrangements were made. The records must be made available to the Texas Funeral Service Commission through its staff and members, or to the next of kin or person authorized for the making of funeral arrangements during regular business hours, and copies must be provided upon request to the commission.

(b) Any interested persons as defined in §201.8(a)(2) of this title (relating to Procedures for the Petition for Adoption of Rules), may submit a petition to the commission requesting an exemption to the portion of subsection (a) of this section which requires that retained records be kept within the physical confines of the licensed funeral establishment where the funeral arrangements were made.

(c) Each petition will clearly state:

(1) a brief explanation of the problem(s) created by that portion of the rules;

(2) the rational or justification for the granting of the exemption;

(3) the specific remedy requested, including the alternative location selected;

(4) assurances that the commission or its representatives will be able to easily access all records by name of the establishment, name of individual, or by date of service.

(d) The executive director will grant, deny, or modify the requested relief [ advise the commission of all petitions submitted in accordance with this procedure, along with his recommendation ].

(e) [ The commission will consider each petition submitted at its next scheduled meeting and may either grant, deny, or modify the remedy requested. ] The executive director will advise interested parties in writing of the action taken by the commission.

(f) Each petition will be considered separately and upon its own merit. When considering the petition, the executive director [ commission ] will take into account the proposed geographical location of the records, and the licensee's demonstrated ability to substantially comply with the mortuary laws and the rules and regulations of the Texas Funeral Service Commission as demonstrated in prior inspection reports and other documents submitted to 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 May 19, 2005.

TRD-200502011

O.C. "Chet" Robbins

Executive Director

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 3, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 936-2466