TITLE 25.HEALTH SERVICES

Part 1. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES

Chapter 117. END STAGE RENAL DISEASE FACILITIES

Subchapter B. FACILITY LICENSING

25 TAC §117.14

The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (department), adopts an amendment to §117.14, concerning end stage renal disease facilities licensing fees without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 21, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6903), and the section will not be republished.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Legislature passed the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005). Article II, Rider 85, makes a portion of the appropriation contingent upon collection of fees above the Comptroller of Public Accounts Biennial Revenue estimate. To meet these requirements, cost recovery fees were included in this amendment.

The End Stage Renal Disease Facilities Program was evaluated to determine the level of increase in fees based on the following criteria: the date of the last fee increase for the specific program area; the percentage of revenue above costs for the specific program; the cost of licenses compared to other similar licenses; and the value added analysis of the license. Additional costs of administration and enforcement of the program, due to a recent legislative increase in pay, longevity pay, and travel reimbursement, were also factored in to determine the direct and indirect costs of the program.

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY

Amendments to §117.14 contain changes in the manner in which fees are assessed against end stage renal disease facilities for initial and renewal licenses. Specifically, §117.14(b)(1) establishes a fee system based on the number of licensed stations. This new fee structure will result in an increase in the licensing fee for some facilities, and a decrease in the licensing fee for other facilities.

COMMENTS

The department, on behalf of the commission, did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

LEGAL CERTIFICATION

The Department of State Health Services General Counsel, Cathy Campbell, certifies that the adopted rule has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the state agencies' authority to adopt.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY The adopted amendment to §117.14 is authorized by Health and Safety Code, §12.0111 and §251.002, which require the department to charge fees for issuing or renewing a license; and Government Code, §531.0055, and Health and Safety Code, §1001.075, which authorize the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules and policies necessary for the operation and provision of health and human services by the department and for the administration of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 1001.

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 January 6, 2006.

TRD-200600097

Cathy Campbell

General Counsel

Department of State Health Services

Effective date: February 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 21, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7111


Chapter 123. RESPIRATORY CARE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION

25 TAC §123.4

The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (department), adopts an amendment to §123.4, concerning respiratory care practitioners fees without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 21, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6904), and the section will not be republished.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Legislature passed the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005). Article II, Rider 85, makes a portion of the appropriation contingent upon collection of fees above the Comptroller of Public Accounts' Biennial Revenue estimate. To meet these requirements, cost recovery fees are included in this amendment.

The Respiratory Care Practitioner Certification Program was evaluated to determine the level of increase in fees based on the following criteria: the date of the last fee increase for the specific program area; and the cost of licenses compared to other similar licenses. Additional costs of administration and enforcement of the program, due to a recent legislative increase in pay, longevity pay, and travel reimbursement, were also factored in to determine the direct and indirect costs of each program.

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY

Amendments to §123.4 contain increases in fees assessed against licensed respiratory care practitioners for license renewal. Specifically, §123.4(1)(C) increases the fee for a one-year renewal by $5; and §123.4(1)(D) increases the fee for a two-year renewal by $10. The term "renewal fee" is being inserted, and language referencing the Board of Health is being removed because the Board of Health was abolished on August 31, 2004.

COMMENTS

The department, on behalf of the commission, did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

LEGAL CERTIFICATION

The Department of State Health Services General Counsel, Cathy Campbell, certifies that the adopted rule has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the state agencies' authority to adopt.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The adopted amendment to §123.4 is authorized by Health and Safety Code, §12.0111 and §251.002, which require the department to charge fees for issuing or renewing a license; and Government Code, §531.0055, and Health and Safety Code, §1001.075, which authorize the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules and policies necessary for the operation and provision of health and human services by the department and for the administration of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 1001.

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 January 6, 2006.

TRD-200600099

Cathy Campbell

General Counsel

Department of State Health Services

Effective date: February 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 21, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7111


Chapter 135. AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS

Subchapter A. OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR AMBULATORY SURGICAL CENTERS

25 TAC §135.3

The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (department), adopts an amendment to §135.3, concerning ambulatory surgical centers licensing fees without changes to the proposed text as published in the November 18, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 7679), and the section will not be republished.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Legislature passed the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005). Article II, Rider 85, makes a portion of the appropriation contingent upon collection of fees above the Comptroller of Public Accounts' Biennial Revenue estimate. To meet these requirements, cost recovery fees are included in this amendment.

The Ambulatory Surgical Centers Program was evaluated to determine the level of increase in fees based on the following criteria: the date of the last fee increase for the specific program area; the percentage of revenue above costs for the specific program; the cost of licenses compared to other similar licenses; and the value added analysis of the license. Additional costs of administration and enforcement of the program, due to a recent legislative increase in pay, longevity pay, and travel reimbursement, were also factored in to determine the direct and indirect costs of the program.

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY

Amendments to §135.3 contain increases in ambulatory surgical center licensing fees for initial and renewal applications. Specifically, §135.3(a) increases the fee for an initial license application by $1,200; and §135.3(b) increases the fee for a renewal license application by $1,200.

COMMENTS

The department, on behalf of the commission, did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

LEGAL CERTIFICATION

The Department of State Health Services General Counsel, Cathy Campbell, certifies that the adopted rule has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the state agencies' authority to adopt.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The adopted amendments to §135.3 are authorized by Health and Safety Code, §12.0111 and §251.002, which require the department to charge fees for issuing or renewing a license; and Government Code, §531.0055, and Health and Safety Code, §1001.075, which authorize the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules and policies necessary for the operation and provision of health and human services by the department and for the administration of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 1001.

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 January 6, 2006.

TRD-200600107

Cathy Campbell

General Counsel

Department of State Health Services

Effective date: March 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: November 18, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7111


Chapter 141. MASSAGE THERAPISTS

Subchapter A. THE DEPARTMENT

25 TAC §141.2

The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (department), adopts an amendment to §141.2, concerning massage therapists fees without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 21, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6907), and the section will not be republished.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Legislature passed the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005). Article II, Rider 85, makes a portion of the appropriation contingent upon collection of fees above the Comptroller of Public Accounts' Biennial Revenue estimate. To meet these requirements, cost recovery fees are included in this amendment.

The Massage Therapy Registration Program was evaluated to determine the level of increase in fees based on the following criteria: the date of the last fee increase for the specific program area; and the cost of licenses compared to other similar licenses. Additional costs of administration and enforcement of the program, due to a recent legislative increase in pay, longevity pay, and travel reimbursement, were also factored in to determine the direct and indirect costs of each program.

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY

Amendments to §141.2 contain increases in fees assessed against licensed massage therapists for renewal registrations. Specifically, §141.2(c)(7) increases the fee for a one-year renewal by $10; and §141.2(c)(8) increases the fee for a two-year renewal by $20.

COMMENTS

The department, on behalf of the commission, did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule during the comment period.

LEGAL CERTIFICATION

The Department of State Health Services General Counsel, Cathy Campbell, certifies that the adopted rule has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the state agencies' authority to adopt.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The adopted amendment to §141.2 is authorized by Health and Safety Code, §12.0111, which requires the department to charge fees for issuing or renewing a license; and Government Code, §531.0055, and Health and Safety Code, §1001.075, which authorize the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules and policies necessary for the operation and provision of health and human services by the department and for the administration of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 1001.

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 January 6, 2006.

TRD-200600100

Cathy Campbell

General Counsel

Department of State Health Services

Effective date: February 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 21, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7111


Chapter 295. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Subchapter C. TEXAS ASBESTOS HEALTH PROTECTION

25 TAC §§295.42 - 295.56, 295.61

The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission (commission), on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (department), adopts amendments to §§295.42 - 295.56 and 295.61, concerning asbestos health protection fees without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 21, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6923), and the sections will not be republished.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Legislature passed the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005). Article II, Rider 85, makes a portion of the appropriation contingent upon collection of fees above the Comptroller of Public Accounts' Biennial Revenue estimate. To meet these requirements, cost recovery fees are included in these amendments.

Programs with regulatory authority over asbestos health protection were evaluated to determine the level of increase in fees based on the following criteria: the date of the last fee increase for the specific program area; licensee's ability to pay in comparison to average salary of professionals; the percentage of revenue above costs for the specific program; the cost of licenses compared to other similar licenses; and the value added analysis of the license. Additional costs of administration and enforcement of the program, due to a recent legislative increase in pay, longevity pay, and travel reimbursement, were also factored in to determine the direct and indirect costs of each program.

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY

Amendments to §§295.42 - 295.56 and 295.61 contain increases in fees for two-year registration and license terms assessed against an asbestos abatement worker, asbestos operations and maintenance contractor (restricted), asbestos operations and maintenance supervisor (restricted), asbestos abatement contractor, asbestos abatement supervisor, individual asbestos consultant, asbestos consultant agency, asbestos project manager, asbestos inspector, asbestos management planner, air monitoring technician, asbestos management planner agency, asbestos laboratory, asbestos training provider, and asbestos transporter. Asbestos notification fees were also increased. References to one-year registration and license fees have been deleted because the program no longer issues one-year registrations and licenses. Specifically, §295.42(b) increases the asbestos abatement workers license fee by $5, §295.43(c) increases the asbestos operations and maintenance contractor (restricted) license fee by $20, §295.44(b) increases the asbestos operations and maintenance supervisor (restricted) license fee by $45, §295.45(c) increases the asbestos abatement contractor license fee by $70, §295.46(b) increases the asbestos abatement supervisor license fee by $45, §295.47(c) increases the individual asbestos consultant license fee by $45, §295.48(c) increases the asbestos consultant agency license fee by $30, §295.49(b) increases the asbestos project manager license fee by $20, §295.50(b) increases the asbestos inspector license fee by $10, §295.51(c) increases the asbestos management planner license fee by $20, §295.52(c) increases the air monitoring technician license fee by $10, §295.53(d) increases the asbestos management planner agency license fee by $30, §295.54(b) increases the asbestos laboratory license fee by $30, §295.55(b) increases the asbestos training provider license fee by $70, §295.56(b) increases the asbestos transporter license fee by $30, §295.61(g)(1) increases the administrative fee by $5; and §295.61(j)(3) increases the basis for notification fees by $5 per asbestos reporting unit and increases the administrative fees by $5. In addition, §295.61(j)(3) increases the maximum fee by $210 per notification, except for schools, which have an increase of $20 per notification.

COMMENTS

The department, on behalf of the commission, has reviewed and prepared responses to the comments received regarding the proposed rules during the comment period, which the commission has reviewed and accepts. The commenter was an individual presenting himself as a professional environmental training provider. The commenter was against the rules in their entirety, but did not include any recommendations for change as discussed in the summary of comments.

Comment: Concerning the fee increases in the rules, one commenter was concerned with the added burden to industry and to local employment opportunities due to the 7% overall fee increase and to the change from a one-year licensing period to a two-year licensing period.

Response: The commission disagrees with the comment, because the department has been directed to recover 100% of its regulatory costs, including indirect costs. The increased fees recover regulatory costs associated with increases in employee pay, travel reimbursement and recovery of appropriations. No change was made to the rules as a result of the comment.

Comment: Concerning the fee increases in the rules, one commenter was concerned with lower attendance levels occurring in mandatory training courses due to fewer individuals and companies entering the asbestos industry.

Response: The commission disagrees with the comment, because the department has determined that the number of examinations taken by students attending training classes and the number of licenses issued to individuals and to companies has neither significantly decreased nor increased based on the number of licensees two years ago. No change was made to the rules as a result of this comment.

LEGAL CERTIFICATION

The Department of State Health Services General Counsel, Cathy Campbell, certifies that the adopted rules have been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the state agencies' authority to adopt.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The adopted amendments to §§295.42 - 295.56 and 295.61 are authorized by Health and Safety Code, §1954.056, which requires the department to adopt a schedule of fees; Health and Safety Code, §12.0111, which requires the department to charge fees for issuing or renewing a license; and Government Code, §531.0055, and Health and Safety Code, §1001.075, which authorize the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules and policies necessary for the operation and provision of health and human services by the department and for the administration of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 1001.

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 January 6, 2006.

TRD-200600101

Cathy Campbell

General Counsel

Department of State Health Services

Effective date: February 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 21, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7111


Chapter 448. STANDARD OF CARE

Subchapter D. FACILITY LICENSURE INFORMATION

25 TAC §448.408

The Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, on behalf of the Department of State Health Services (department), adopts an amendment to §448.408, concerning chemical dependency treatment facilities' licensure fees, without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 21, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 6926), and the section will not be republished.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The Texas Legislature passed the General Appropriations Act, Senate Bill 1, 79th Legislature, Regular Session (2005). Article II, Rider 85, makes a portion of the appropriation contingent upon collection of fees above the Comptroller of Public Accounts' Biennial Revenue estimate. To meet these requirements, cost recovery fees are included in this amendment.

The Chemical Dependency Treatment Facility Program was evaluated to determine the level of increase in fees based on the following criteria: the date of the last fee increase for the specific program area; the percentage of revenue above costs for the specific program; the cost of licenses compared to other similar licenses; and the value added analysis of the license. Additional costs of administration and enforcement of the program, due to a recent legislative increase in pay, longevity pay, and travel reimbursement, were also factored in to determine the direct and indirect costs of the program.

SECTION-BY-SECTION SUMMARY

Amendments to §448.408(c) contain increases in fees assessed against licensed chemical dependency treatment facilities for base fees, fees per residential and outpatient site, and fees per bed, and eliminate the maximum fee per facility. Specifically, the separate $100 fee for a license application is eliminated, and renumbered §448.408(c)(1) establishes a combined base fee for a license at $1,200, which includes application and review fees for initial and renewal licenses, increasing the net fee for licensure by $100; renumbered §448.408(c)(2) increases the fee per residential site by $25, and adds a fee of $125 per outpatient site; and renumbered §448.408(c)(3) increases the fee per bed by $5. The maximum $4,000 fee per facility is eliminated.

COMMENTS

The department, on behalf of the commission, has reviewed and prepared the following responses to a comment received regarding the proposed rule during the comment period, which the commission has reviewed and accepts. The commenter was representing the Solutions Toward Addiction Recovery (STAR) Council on Substance Abuse. The commenter was opposed to any fee increase and thus was not in favor of the rule amendment.

Comment: The commenter opposed the increase in fees because the proposal increases the likelihood that rural outpatient sites, which serve indigent clients, rely on fixed reimbursement rates to cover costs, and already face rising costs, a reduction in payment limits, and an increased indigent demand, will be unable to absorb the additional cost of a fee increase and may be forced to close.

Response: The commission disagrees with the commenter. The commission understands the concern with rising costs, but disagrees that fees should remain unchanged. The department has been directed to recover 100% of its regulatory costs, including indirect costs. The increased fees recover regulatory costs associated with increases in employee pay and travel reimbursement, and allow for the recovery of appropriations. No change has been made as a result of this comment.

LEGAL CERTIFICATION

The Department of State Health Services General Counsel, Cathy Campbell, certifies that the adoption has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the state agencies' authority to adopt.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY

The adopted amendment to §448.408 is authorized by Health and Safety Code, §12.0111 and §464.007, which require the department to charge fees for issuing or renewing a license; and Government Code, §531.0055, and Health and Safety Code, §1001.075, which authorize the Executive Commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission to adopt rules and policies necessary for the operation and provision of health and human services by the department and for the administration of Health and Safety Code, Chapter 1001.

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 January 6, 2006.

TRD-200600098

Cathy Campbell

General Counsel

Department of State Health Services

Effective date: February 1, 2006

Proposal publication date: October 21, 2005

For further information, please call: (512) 458-7111