TITLE 40.SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE

Part 18. TEXAS CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Chapter 631. STANDARDS FOR STATE AGENCY EMPLOYEE CHILD CARE FACILITIES

40 TAC §631.1, §631.2

The Texas Building and Procurement Commission (TBPC) adopts the repeal of 40 TAC §631.1 and §631.2, concerning standards for state agency employee child care facilities. The repeal is adopted without changes to the proposal as published in the May 5, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3659).

These rules are being repealed because the Texas Child Care Development Board no longer exists and there is no longer a need for these rules.

No comments were received regarding the proposed repeal.

The repeal is adopted under Texas Government Code §663.101(b) and Act of September 1, 2001, 77th Leg., R.S. ch. 761, 2001 Tex. Gen. Laws 1494, 1499, authorizing the TBPC to adopt rules relating to the Child Care Development Board.

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 21, 2006.

TRD-200603836

Ingrid K. Hansen

General Counsel, Texas Building and Procurement Commission

Texas Child Care Development Board

Effective date: August 10, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 5, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 463-3562


Part 19. DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Chapter 700. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Subchapter C. ELIGIBILITY FOR CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES

The Health and Human Services Commission adopts, on behalf of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), the repeal of §700.316, new §700.316, and an amendment to §700.324, without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 5, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3660).

The justification for the sections is to update the rule based on legislation passed in the 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, and to conform to current federal regulations. There are four primary changes. House Bill (HB) 614 amended §264.101(a) of the Texas Family Code (TFC) to require that DFPS continue to pay for foster care for a youth who is enrolled in high school or a secondary school program. Under this statute, eligibility for extended foster care extends until the youth graduates, leaves school, or turns 22 years old. The current rule only paid foster care for those youth expected to complete high school by age 20. HB 614 was effective May 10, 2005, and DFPS has implemented the change through policy. The second change provides for an extension of foster care up to the age of 21 for youth enrolled in vocational or technical training. This is consistent with Senate Bill (SB) 6, which directs DFPS to address the unique challenges that foster children face when transitioning to independent living, and is authorized under TFC, §264.101(d). The current rule only provides for foster care funding up to age 19 years for qualified youth. The third change deletes the requirement that placements be nonprofit, which conforms with current federal regulations that no longer restrict payments to nonprofit entities. The fourth change addresses eligibility for foster care for those incapacitated youth for whom the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services becomes guardian. SB 6 moved the Adult Protective Services guardianship program for incapacitated children aging out of CPS conservatorship to the Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services.

The sections will function by ensuring that youth reaching adult age while in the foster care system will have additional living options and a smoother transition into adulthood and independent living.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the sections.

40 TAC §700.316

The repeal is adopted under Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.0505 and Government Code §531.0055, which provide that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; and HRC §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the Executive Commissioner and the Commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department.

The repeal implements Texas Family Code (TFC) §264.101(a-1) and §264.101(d).

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 24, 2006.

TRD-200603892

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Effective date: September 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 5, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437


40 TAC §700.316, §700.324

The amendment and new section are adopted under Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.0505 and Government Code §531.0055, which provide that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; and HRC §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the Executive Commissioner and the Commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department.

The amendment and new section implement Texas Family Code (TFC) §264.101(a-1) and §264.101(d).

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 24, 2006.

TRD-200603893

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Effective date: September 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 5, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437


Subchapter Y. CONTRACTING WITH LICENSED RESIDENTIAL CHILD-CARE PROVIDERS

40 TAC §700.2501

The Health and Human Services Commission adopts, on behalf of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), an amendment to §700.2501, without changes to the proposed text published in the May 5, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3662). The justification for the amendment is to update the rule to comply with the Fair Access to Foster Care Act, Public Law 109-113, which allows foster care maintenance payments to be paid on behalf of eligible children to either a nonprofit or for-profit child-placing agency, and to clarify recent changes made to the residential child-care licensing rules.

The amendment will function by ensuring that the rules are consistent with the federal laws, which will allow for a larger pool of residential providers.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.0505 and Government Code §531.0055, which provide that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; and HRC §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the Executive Commissioner and the Commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department.

The amendment implements Public Law 119-113, the Fair Access Foster Care Act of 2005, as it amends §472(b) of the Social Security Act.

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 21, 2006.

TRD-200603845

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Effective date: September 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 5, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437


Chapter 705. ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Subchapter L. RISK ASSESSMENT

40 TAC §705.6101

The Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts, on behalf of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), new §705.6101, without changes to the proposed text published in the May 5, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3664).

The justification for the new section is to outline the risk assessment criteria adult protective services staff will use when assessing risk during an investigation of alleged abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an elderly or disabled person. The new section is the result of Senate Bill 6, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, which amended Human Resources Code, §48.004.

The section will function by ensuring staff are aware of the criteria used to evaluate risk to the safety and well-being of an elderly or disabled client who is in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the section.

The new section is adopted under Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.0505 and Government Code §531.0055, which provide that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; and HRC §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the Executive Commissioner and the Commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department.

The new section implements HRC, §48.004, as amended by §2.06 of Senate Bill 6, 79th Legislature, Regular Session.

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 21, 2006.

TRD-200603847

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Effective date: September 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 5, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437


Chapter 732. CONTRACTED SERVICES

Subchapter L. CONTRACT ADMINISTRATION

40 TAC §732.203

The Health and Human Services Commission adopts, on behalf of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), an amendment to §732.203, without changes to the proposed text published in the May 5, 2006, issue of the Texas Register (31 TexReg 3664). The justification for the amendment is to allow a longer timeframe for initial contract periods and renewals for outsourcing the delivery of substitute care and case management services, and the evaluation of these services. Senate Bill 6, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005, added Chapter 45, Privatization of Substitute Care and Case Management Services to the Human Resources Code. Chapter 45 requires DFPS to outsource substitute care and case management services. The outsourcing must be completed by September 1, 2011.

The amendment will function by ensuring that there will be a new structural model for child welfare services resulting in community-centered delivery of substitute care and case management services that improves child protective services, achieves timely permanency, and improves the overall well-being of children.

No comments were received regarding adoption of the amendment.

The amendment is adopted under Human Resources Code (HRC) §40.0505 and Government Code §531.0055, which provide that the Health and Human Services Executive Commissioner shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, including the Department of Family and Protective Services; and HRC §40.021, which provides that the Family and Protective Services Council shall study and make recommendations to the Executive Commissioner and the Commissioner regarding rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are served or regulated by the department.

The amendment implements Human Resources Code §45.004(a).

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 21, 2006.

TRD-200603846

Gerry Williams

General Counsel

Department of Family and Protective Services

Effective date: September 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: May 5, 2006

For further information, please call: (512) 438-3437