TITLE 22.EXAMINING BOARDS

Part 7. STATE COMMITTEE OF EXAMINERS IN THE FITTING AND DISPENSING OF HEARING INSTRUMENTS

Chapter 141. FITTING AND DISPENSING OF HEARING INSTRUMENTS

22 TAC §141.6, §141.13

The State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments (committee) adopts amendments to §141.6 and §141.13, concerning the licensure and regulation of fitters and dispensers of hearing instruments. Section 141.6 is adopted with changes to the proposed text as published in the December 3, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 11252). Section 141.13 is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 3, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 11252), and the text will not be republished in the Texas Register . The proposed amendment to §141.8, which was simultaneously proposed in the same Texas Register issue, is withdrawn from consideration from permanent adoption.

The amendments are necessary to implement House Bill (H.B.) 2985, 78th Legislature, 2003, which added Occupations Code, Chapter 101, Subchapter G, which established the Office of Patient Protection and requires additional fees to fund it; and Senate Bill 1152, 78th Legislature, 2003, which amends Government Code, Chapter 2054, to require participation in Texas Online. The two-year licensing fee amendments are required as a result of revisions to the Health and Safety Code, Chapter 12, §12.0111 and §12.0112, pursuant to H.B. 2292, 78th Legislature, 2003. Amendments to §141.6 specify requirements with the addition of online renewal and clarify that a license or registration may be granted for a one-year or a two-year term. Amendments to §141.13 specify requirements with the addition of online renewal.

The following comments were received concerning the proposal. Following the comment is the committee's responses.

Comment: Concerning §141.6(g)(8), a commenter recommended that the continuing education sponsor fee should not be increased to $600 from $500.

Response: The committee agrees and has corrected the fee from $600 to $500. Therefore, the continuing education sponsor fee will remain at $500.

Comment: Concerning §141.8, a commenter stated that the proposal should be withdrawn.

Response: The committee agrees and has withdrawn the proposal to §141.8.

The commenter was an individual from the Texas Hearing Aid Association, Inc., and was against the proposed amendments to §141.6(g)(8) and §141.8. The committee agreed with the commenter and made the recommended changes suggested by the commenter.

The amendments are adopted under the Texas Occupations Code, §402.102, which provides the State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments with the authority to adopt rules necessary to administer and enforce the Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 402, subject to the approval of the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, under H.B. 2292, §1.19(d), 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 2003.

§141.6.Application Procedures.

(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to set out the application procedures for examination and licensure.

(b) General.

(1) Unless otherwise indicated, an applicant must submit all required information and documentation of credentials on official forms of the State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments (committee).

(2) The committee will not consider an application as officially submitted until the applicant pays the application fee and submits all required documents. The fee must accompany the application form(s).

(3) The committee shall send a notice listing the additional materials required to an applicant who does not complete the application. An application not completed within 60 days after the date of notice shall be invalid; however, by written request to the committee an applicant may request that his or her application be kept active for an additional year. Deficient applications will be retained for one year; however, after that year an applicant will be required to submit a new application and all required materials in addition to paying a new application fee.

(c) Fees paid to the committee by applicants are not refundable except in accordance with §141.7 of this title (relating to Processing Procedures).

(d) Remittances submitted to the committee in payment of fees may be in the form of a cashier's check or money order.

(e) For all applications and renewal applications, the committee is authorized to collect subscription and convenience fees, in amounts determined by the Texas Online Authority, to recover costs associated with application and renewal application processing through Texas Online.

(f) For all applications and renewal applications, the committee is authorized to collect fees to fund the Office of Patient Protection, Health Professions Council, as mandated by law.

(g) The fees for administering Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 402, (Act), and this chapter shall be as follows:

(1) temporary training permit--$205;

(2) examination fee--$250;

(3) apprentice permit--$205;

(4) licensure fee--$205;

(5) a license issued or renewed for a one-year term--$205;

(6) a license issued or renewed for a two-year term--$405;

(7) duplicate document fee--$25;

(8) continuing education sponsor fee--$500 annually;

(9) reinstatement fee for a license that was suspended for failure to pay child support--$55; and

(10) reinstatement fee for a license that was suspended for student loan default--$55.

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 May 16, 2005.

TRD-200501965

Michael Shobe

Chairman

State Committee of Examiners in the Fitting and Dispensing of Hearing Instruments

Effective date: June 5, 2005

Proposal publication date: December 3, 2004

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7236


Part 10. TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICE COMMISSION

Chapter 203. LICENSING AND ENFORCEMENT--SPECIFIC SUBSTANTIVE RULES

22 TAC §203.6

The Texas Funeral Service Commission (commission) adopts amendments to §203.6, concerning Provisional Licensees without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 18, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1561).

The adopted amendment removes the requirement that provisional licensees take the exit examination. This examination is not a statutory requirement for licensure.

Removing the exit examination will lower the cost of becoming fully licensed and enable provisional licensees to enter the profession sooner.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under the authority of the Texas Occupations Code, §651.152 which authorizes the commission to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer Chapter 651.

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 May 19, 2005.

TRD-200502010

O.C. "Chet" Robbins

Executive Director

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Effective date: June 8, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 18, 2005

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


22 TAC §203.29

The Texas Funeral Service Commission (commission) adopts the repeal of §203.29, concerning Funeral Establishment Names without changes to the proposal as published in the March 25, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1762).

The repeal is being adopted because a new §203.29 is being adopted to clarify the use of a funeral establishment name.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the repeal.

The repeal is adopted under the authority of the Texas Occupations Code, §651.152 which authorizes the commission to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer Chapter 651.

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 May 19, 2005.

TRD-200502013

O.C."Chet" Robbins

Executive Director

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Effective date: June 8, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 25, 2005

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


22 TAC §203.29

The Texas Funeral Service Commission (commission) adopts new §203.29, concerning Funeral Establishment Names without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 25, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1763).

The new section is necessary to adopt to clarify the use of funeral establishment names.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the new section.

The new section is adopted under the authority of the Texas Occupations Code, §651.152 which authorizes the commission to issue such rules and regulations as may be necessary to administer Chapter 651.

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 May 19, 2005.

TRD-200502014

O.C. "Chet" Robbins

Executive Director

Texas Funeral Service Commission

Effective date: June 8, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 25, 2005

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


Part 15. TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PHARMACY

Chapter 291. PHARMACIES

Subchapter A. ALL CLASSES OF PHARMACIES

22 TAC §291.20

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy adopts amendments to §291.20 concerning Remote Pharmacy Services. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 4, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1217).

The adopted amendments implement changes made to Section 562.108 of the Texas Pharmacy Act made during the 78th Legislative session which allow Class E (non-resident) pharmacies located not more than 20 miles from an institution in this state that is licensed under Chapter 242 or 252, Health and Safety Code, to maintain controlled substances and dangerous drugs in an emergency medication kit used at an institution licensed under those chapters; and allow a United States Department of Veterans Affairs pharmacy or other federally operated pharmacy to maintain controlled substances and dangerous drugs in an emergency medication kit used at an institution that is licensed under Chapter 242, Health and Safety Code, and is a veterans home, as defined by Section 164.002, Natural Resources Code. The amendments also clarify inventory requirements for remote pharmacy services using automated pharmacy systems and remote pharmacy services using emergency medication kits, and update citations.

No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under sections 551.002, 554.051, 562.108, 562.109, and 562.110 of the Texas Pharmacy Act (Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code). The Board interprets section 551.002 as authorizing the agency to protect the public through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. The Board interprets section 554.051(a) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules for the proper administration and enforcement of the Act. The Board interprets section 562.108 as authorizing the agency to adopt rules regarding emergency medication kits. The Board interprets section 562.109 as authorizing the agency to adopt rules regarding automated pharmacy systems. The Board interprets section 562.110 as authorizing the agency to adopt rules regarding telepharmacy systems.

The statutes affected by this rule: Texas Pharmacy Act, Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code.

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 May 23, 2005.

TRD-200502054

Gay Dodson, R.Ph.

Executive Director/Secretary

Texas State Board of Pharmacy

Effective date: June 12, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 4, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8028


Subchapter B. COMMUNITY PHARMACY (CLASS A)

22 TAC §291.33

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy adopts amendments to §291.33 concerning Operational Standards. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 4, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1219).

The adopted amendments implement a portion of the recommendations of the Task Force on Patient Counseling requiring a pharmacist to ensure that the patient or patient's agent is offered information about refill prescriptions and requiring pharmacies to post notification in the pharmacy that a pharmacist is available to answer questions about prescription medications. In addition, the amendments regarding generic substitution make changes to conform with adopted changes in §309.7 published elsewhere in this issue of the Texas Register .

Comments were received from H.E. Butt Grocery Company and one individual regarding the proposed changes to the patient counseling requirements. H.E. Butt Grocery Company supports the proposed changes except for the requirement to counsel patients on all new prescription orders. H.E. Butt Grocery Company recommended that the mandatory patient counseling requirement be replaced with the Task Force recommendations regarding the conditions and situations that trigger mandatory counseling. The individual who commented also supported the mandatory counseling requirement being removed from the rules. The Board disagrees with these comments and adopted the amendments as indicated to require patient counseling on all new prescriptions.

Comments were received from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, H.E. Butt Grocery Company, Wal-Mart Pharmacy Department, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores supporting the proposed changes regarding generic substitution.

The amendments are adopted under sections 551.002 and 554.051 of the Texas Pharmacy Act (Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code). The Board interprets section 551.002 as authorizing the agency to protect the public through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. The Board interprets section 554.051(a) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules for the proper administration and enforcement of the Act.

The statutes affected by this rule: Texas Pharmacy Act, Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code.

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 May 23, 2005.

TRD-200502055

Gay Dodson, R.Ph.

Executive Director/Secretary

Texas State Board of Pharmacy

Effective date: June 12, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 4, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8028


Subchapter F. NON-RESIDENT PHARMACY (CLASS E)

22 TAC §291.104

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy adopts amendments to §291.104 concerning Generic Substitution. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 4, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1220).

The adopted amendments make changes to conform with adopted changes to §309.7 published elsewhere in this issue of the Texas Register .

Comments were received from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, H.E. Butt Grocery Company, Wal-Mart Pharmacy Department, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores supporting the proposed changes.

The amendments are adopted under sections 551.002 and 554.051 of the Texas Pharmacy Act (Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code). The Board interprets section 551.002 as authorizing the agency to protect the public through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. The Board interprets section 554.051(a) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules for the proper administration and enforcement of the Act. Section 554.051(b) which authorizes the agency to make a rule concerning the operation of a licensed pharmacy located in this state applicable to a pharmacy licensed by the board that is located in another state, if the board determines the rule is necessary to protect the health and welfare of the citizens of this state.

The statutes affected by this rule: Texas Pharmacy Act, Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code.

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 May 23, 2005.

TRD-200502056

Gay Dodson, R.Ph.

Executive Director/Secretary

Texas State Board of Pharmacy

Effective date: June 12, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 4, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8028


Chapter 295. PHARMACIES

22 TAC §295.13

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy adopts amendments to §295.13 concerning Drug Therapy Management by a Pharmacist under Written Protocol of a Physician. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 4, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1220).

The amendments delete the requirement for pharmacists participating in drug therapy management under the written protocol of a physician to notify the Board of such participation.

No comments were received.

The amendments are adopted under sections 551.002 and 554.051 of the Texas Pharmacy Act (Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code). The Board interprets section 551.002 as authorizing the agency to protect the public through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. The Board interprets section 554.051(a) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules for the proper administration and enforcement of the Act. The Board interprets section 554.051(c) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules regarding records to be maintained by a pharmacist performing a specific act under a written protocol.

The statutes affected by this rule: Texas Pharmacy Act, Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code.

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 May 23, 2005.

TRD-200502057

Gay Dodson, R.Ph.

Executive Director/Secretary

Texas State Board of Pharmacy

Effective date: June 12, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 4, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8028


Chapter 309. GENERIC SUBSTITUTION

22 TAC §§309.2, 309.3, 309.7

The Texas State Board of Pharmacy adopts amendments to §309.2 concerning Definitions, §309.3 concerning Generic Substitution and §309.7 concerning Dispensing Responsibilities. The amendments are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the March 4, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1221).

The adopted amendments implement recommendations made by the Legislative Budget Board Staff Performance Report to the 79th Legislature to allow the substitution of products not listed in the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations (Orange Book). In addition, the amendments to §309.2 correct definitions to conform with definitions in Chapter 291.

Comments were received from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, H.E. Butt Grocery Company, Wal-Mart Pharmacy Department, and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores supporting the proposed changes.

The amendments are adopted under sections 551.002 and 554.051 of the Texas Pharmacy Act (Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code). The Board interprets section 551.002 as authorizing the agency to protect the public through the effective control and regulation of the practice of pharmacy. The Board interprets section 554.051(a) as authorizing the agency to adopt rules for the proper administration and enforcement of the Act.

The statutes affected by this rule: Texas Pharmacy Act, Chapters 551-566 and 568-569, Texas Occupations Code.

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 May 23, 2005.

TRD-200502058

Gay Dodson, R.Ph.

Executive Director/Secretary

Texas State Board of Pharmacy

Effective date: June 12, 2005

Proposal publication date: March 4, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 305-8028