ISSUE OFAugust 6, 1991"
Volume 16, Number 58, August 6, 1991
Pages 4245-4301
Emergency Sections
State Board of Insurance
4255-Property and Casualty Insurance
4256-Agents' Licensing
Texas Department of Human Services
4259-Family Self-Support Services
Proposed Sections
Texas Department of Commerce
4261-Enterprise Zone Program
Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
4261-Administration
4262-Education
4262-Licensing
Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators
4263-Education
Polygraph Examiners Board
4263-General Rules of Practice and Procedure
Texas Real Estate Commission
4264-Canons of Professional Ethics and Conduct
4264-Provisions of the Real Estate License Act
4265-Rules Relating to Certified Real Estate Appraisers
Texas Air Control Board
4265-Control of Air Pollution from Visible Emissions
and Particulate Matter
Texas Department of Public Safety
4267-Organization and Administration
4268-All-Terrain Vehicle Operator Education and Certification
Program
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
4268-Standards for Certification
4270-Fees
4271-Examinations for Certification
4273-Administrative Inspections and Penalties
4276-Adoptions by Reference
Texas Department of Human Services
4276-Family Self-Support Services
4277-Child Protective Services
4277-Legal Services
4278-General Licensing Procedures
Withdrawn Sections
State Board of Dental Examiners
4281-Dental Laboratories
Adopted Sections
State Board of Dental Examiners
4283-Dental Laboratories
Polygraph Examiners Board
4284-Polygraph Examiner Internship
Texas Real Estate Commission
4284-Provisions of the Real Estate License Act
4285-Rules Relating to the Provisions of the Residential
Service Company Act
Employees Retirement System of Texas
4285-Insurance
Texas Department of Public Safety
4285-Organization and Administration
Texas Juvenile Probation Commission
4286-Texas Juvenile Probation Commission
Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
4286-Licensure
Open Meetings
4289-Texas Department of Agriculture
4289-State Bar of Texas
4290-Texas Board of Chiropractic Examiners
4290-Texas Education Agency
4290-Fire Department Emergency Board
4290-Texas Department of Health
4290-State Board of Insurance
4291-Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
4291-Texas Council on Offenders With Mental Impairments
4291-Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation
4291-Texas Optometry Board
4292-Texas Department of Public Safety
4292-Public Utility Commission of Texas
4292-Railroad Commission of Texas
4292-The Texas A&M University System, Board of Regents
4293-Texas Southern University
4293-University Interscholastic League
4293-University of Texas System
4293-Texas Water Commission
4294-Regional Meetings
In Addition
Texas Air Control Board
4295-Notice of Public Hearing
Texas Education Agency
4295-Public Hearing
Employees Retirement System of Texas
4296-Texasaver 401(k) Plan Third Party Administration
Services For The Employees Retirement System of Texas
Texas Department of Health
4296-On-Site Treatment Research Request For Proposal
Texas Department of Human Services
4297-Notice Regarding Disproportionate Share for Hospitals
Providing High-Volume Medicaid Days
4297-Public Notice
State Board of Insurance
4298-Company Licensing
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
4298-Correction of Error
4298-Notice of Public Hearings to Revoke Resident License
Public Utility Commission of Texas
4299-Notices of Application To Amend Certificate of Convenience
and Necessity
4299-Notice of Intent To File Pursuant to Public Utility
Commission Substantive Rule 23.27
Texas Water Commission
4299-Enforcement Orders
4300-Notice of Application For Waste Disposal Permit
CONTENTS CONTINUED INSIDE
ISSUE OFAugust 6, 1991"
TAC Titles Affected
TAC Titles Affected-August
The following is a list of the administrative rules that have
been published this month.
TITLE 4. AGRICULTURE
Part II. Animal Health
Commission
4 TAC sec.35.2--4223
TITLE 10. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Part V. Texas Department
of Commerce
10 TAC sec.176.8--4261
TITLE 16. ECONOMIC REGULATION
Part I. Railroad Commission
of Texas
16 TAC sec.11.201--4203
Part IV. Texas Department
of Licensing and Regulation
16 TAC sec.69.208--4223
TITLE 22. EXAMINING BOARDS
Part V. State Board
of Dental Examiners
22 TAC sec.sec.116.1, 116.2, 116.4--4283
22 TAC sec.116.3--4283
Part XII. Board of
Vocational Nurse Examiners
22 TAC sec.231.25, 231.48--4261
22 TAC sec.231.68--4262
22 TAC sec.233.41--4262
22 TAC sec.235.9, sec.235.18--4262
22 TAC sec.235.41--4263
Part XIII. Texas Board
of Licensure for Nursing
Home Administrators
22 TAC sec.247.2--4263
Part XIX. Polygraph
Examiners Board
22 TAC sec.391.3--4284
22 TAC sec.397.40--4263
Part XXIII. Texas Real
Estate Commission
22 TAC sec.531.18--4264
22 TAC sec.535.17--4284
22 TAC sec.535.66, sec.535.69--4264
22 TAC sec.535.91--4284
22 TAC sec.539.81--4285
22 TAC sec.sec.544.1-544.9--4265
TITLE 25. HEALTH SERVICES
Part I. Texas Department
of Health
25 TAC sec.31.1--4224
25 TAC sec.31.3--4224
Part II. Texas Department
of Mental Health and
Mental Retardation
25 TAC sec.sec.405.101-405.114--4203
TITLE 28. INSURANCE
Part I. State Board
of Insurance
28 TAC sec.5.6302--4255
28 TAC sec.sec.19.621-19.630--4256
TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
Part III. Texas Air
Control Board
31 TAC sec.101.1--4207
31 TAC sec.111.111--4265
31 TAC sec.111.121, sec.111.127--4207
31 TAC sec.sec.111.141, 111.145, 111.147--4266
Part IX. Texas Water
Commission
31 TAC sec.281.26--4208
31 TAC sec.305.49, sec.305.50--4210
31 TAC sec.sec.305.66--4213
31 TAC sec.sec.305.101-305.103, 305.107--4213
31 TAC sec.305.147, sec.305.148--4214
31 TAC sec.sec.331.63--4225
31 TAC sec.sec.331.121--4215
31 TAC sec.sec.331.147, 305.148--
31 TAC sec.sec.335.1, 335.2--4218
31 TAC sec.335.43--4219
31 TAC sec.sec.335.180-335.183--4219
31 TAC sec.sec.335.202, 335.204, 335.205--4220
TITLE 34. PUBLIC FINANCE
Part IV. Employees Retirement
System of Texas
34 TAC sec.81.1--4285
TITLE 37. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS
Part I. Texas Department
of Public Safety
37 TAC sec.1.22--4267
37 TAC sec.1.231--4285
37 TAC sec.sec.33.2-33.4--4268
Part VIII. Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel
Standards and Education
37 TAC sec.233.5--4268
37 TAC sec.233.9--4269
37 TAC sec.233.113--4270
37 TAC sec.233.131--4270
37 TAC sec.239.7, sec.239.9--4270
37 TAC sec.sec.241.1, 241.3, 241.5, 241.7, 241.9, 241.11,
241.13, 241.15, 241.17--4271
37 TAC sec.sec.245.1, 245.3, 245.5, 245.7, 245.9, 245.11,
245.13, 245.15, 245.17, 245.19, 245.21--4273
37 TAC sec.247.1--4276
Part XI. Texas Juvenile
Probation Commission
37 TAC sec.341.15--4286
TITLE 40. SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
Part I. Texas Department
of Humans Services
40 TAC sec.10.2304--4259, 4276
40 TAC sec.27.2801--4225
40 TAC sec.47.6901--4225
40 TAC sec.49.601, sec.49.603--4277
40 TAC sec.sec.79.1701, 79.1702, 79.1704, 79.1709, 79.1713,
79.1714--4277
40 TAC sec.85.4013, sec.85.4021--4278
40 TAC sec.85.4050--4279
40 TAC sec.sec.85.4051-85.4057--4279
Part III. Texas Commission
on Alcohol and Drug Abuse
40 TAC sec.151.72--4286
TITLE 43. TRANSPORTATION
Part I. State Department
of Highways and Public
Transportation
43 TAC sec.7.72--4226
Emergency Sections
An agency may adopt a new or amended section or repeal an
existing section on an emergency basis if it determines that
such action is necessary for the public health, safety, or welfare
of this state. The section may become effective immediately upon
filing with the Texas Register, or
on a stated date less than 20 days after filing, for no more
than 120 days. The emergency action is renewable once for no
more than 60 days.
Symbology in amended
emergency sections. New language added to
an existing section is indicated by the use of bold
text. [Brackets] indicate deletion of existing material
within a section.
TITLE 28. INSURANCE
Part I. State Board of Insurance
Chapter 5. Property and Casualty Insurance
Subchapter G. Workers' Compensation Insurance
Sale of Substitutes [Alternatives] to Workers' Compensation
Insurance
28 TAC sec.5.6302
The State Board of Insurance adopts on an emergency basis
new sec.5.6302, concerning substitutes to workers' compensation
insurance. An imminent peril to the public welfare requires adoption
of the new section on an emergency basis in order that policies
of insurance contain language that decreases the possibility
that a consumer or policyholder may misunderstand the effect
of an insurance policy.
The new section is necessary to conform the requirements of
the board's rules to legislative enactments concerning workers'
compensation insurance.
New sec.5.6302 is to replace former sec.5.6301, concerning
the sale of alternatives to workers' compensation insurance.
The new section provides that no person, agent, or entity may
represent any policy of insurance as a substitute for a policy
of workers' compensation insurance, nor may any person induce
a subscriber to the workers' compensation system to become a
non-subsubscriber in order to sell an insurance policy providing
benefits to the employer's employees.
Section 5.6302 further requires that all policies of insurance
which provide benefits to employees shall include on the face
page of the policy a notice indicating that the policy is not
a policy of workers' compensation insurance and that the employer
does not become a subscriber to the system by purchasing the
policy.
The new section also requires similar monitory language on
policies of insurance, including surplus lines policies, which
provide employers liability coverage or which indemnify employers
for costs of employee injuries or sickness. This new section
also requires a similar disclaimer to appear on certificates
issued to the policyholder's employees.
The new section is adopted on an emergency basis under the
Insurance Code, Article 1.04, which authorizes the State Board
of Insurance to determine rules in accordance with the laws of
this state; under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 8308, sec.3.42,
which allow an employer who is not required to have workers'
compensation insurance to obtain insurance coverage on employees
so long as the insurance is not represented as providing workers'
compensation coverage as authorized by workers' compensation
statutes; and under Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6252-13a,
s4 and sec.5, which authorize and require each state administrative
agency to adopt rules of practice setting forth the nature and
requirements of available procedures, and which prescribe the
procedure for the adoption of rules by any state administrative
agency.
sec.5.6302. Sale of
Substitutes to Workers' Compensation
Insurance.
(a) No person, agent, or entity may represent any individual
or group policy of insurance or other evidences of insurance
coverage as a substitute for a policy of workers' compensation
insurance nor may any person, agent, or entity represent to an
employer that purchase of an individual or group insurance policy
or other evidence of insurance coverage providing benefits to
the employer's employees:
(1) provides the same benefits for either the employee
or the employer as are provided by workers' compensation insurance;
or
(2) limits such employees to a claim for benefits under
such policies as the employees' sole remedy against the employer
in the event the employee suffers a job related injury or disease.
(b) All individual or group policies of insurance or
other evidences of insurance coverage which provide benefits
to employees and which are marketed to or through (on a franchise,
list bill, or other collective basis) employers that have elected,
or may in the future elect, to be non-subscribers to the workers'
compensation system shall include the following statement in
10-point bold-face type on the first page of the policy and on
the first page of all materials used in advertising, marketing,
and explaining the policy: "THIS IS NOT A POLICY OF WORKERS'
COMPENSATION INSURANCE. THE EMPLOYER DOES NOT BECOME A SUBSCRIBER
TO THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION SYSTEM BY PURCHASING THIS POLICY,
AND IF THE EMPLOYER IS A NON-SUBSCRIBER, THE EMPLOYER LOSES THOSE
BENEFITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE UNDER THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
LAWS. THE EMPLOYER MUST COMPLY WITH THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
LAW AS IT PERTAINS TO NON-SUBSCRIBERS AND THE REQUIRED NOTIFICATIONS
THAT MUST BE FILED AND POSTED."
(c) The group policies of insurance described in subsection
(b) of this section shall include the following statement in
10-point bold-face type on the certificate or other evidence
of coverage issued to the employees: "THE INSURANCE POLICY UNDER
WHICH THIS CERTIFICATE IS ISSUED IS NOT A POLICY OF WORKERS'
COMPENSATION INSURANCE. YOU SHOULD CONSULT YOUR EMPLOYER TO DETERMINE
WHETHER YOUR EMPLOYER IS A SUBSCRIBER TO THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION
SYSTEM."
(d) All policies of insurance, including surplus lines
policies, or other evidences of insurance coverage which provide
employers liability coverage or which indemnify employers for
costs of job related employee injuries or sickness in excess
of those expended by such employers that have elected to be non-subscribers
to the workers' compensation system shall include the following
statement in 10-point bold-face type on the first page of the
policy and on the first page of all materials used in advertising,
marketing, and explaining the policy: THIS IS NOT A POLICY OF
WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE. THE EMPLOYER DOES NOT BECOME
A SUBSCRIBER TO THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION SYSTEM BY PURCHASING
THIS POLICY, AND IF THE EMPLOYER IS A NON-SUBSCRIBER, THE EMPLOYER
LOSES THOSE BENEFITS WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE ACCRUE UNDER THE WORKERS'
COMPENSATION LAWS. THE EMPLOYER MUST COMPLY WITH THE WORKERS'
COMPENSATION LAW AS IT PERTAINS TO NON-SUBSCRIBERS AND THE REQUIRED
NOTIFICATIONS THAT MUST BE FILED AND POSTED."
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 31, 1991.
TRD-9109130
Nicholas Murphy
Chief Clerk
State Board of Insurance
Effective date: July 31, 1991
Expiration date: November 28, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 463-6327
Chapter 19. Agents' Licensing
Subchapter G. Licensing of Insurance Adjusters and Continuing
Education Requirements for Adjusters
28 TAC sec.sec.19.621-19.630
The State Board of Insurance adopts on an emergency basis
new sec.sec.19. 621-19.630, concerning continuing education
for licensees under the provisions of the Insurance Code, Article
21.07-4, sec.7A. These new sections are necessary to carry
out the provisions of Article 21.07-4, sec.7A, which authorizes
the State Board of Insurance to certify continuing education
programs under which insurance adjusters must comply with the
requirement of the Insurance Code, Article 21.07-4, sec.7A(b),
that each adjuster, in order to renew a license, must participate
in a continuing education program relating to consumer protection
laws. An imminent peril to the public welfare requires adoption
of these new sections on an emergency basis to implement state
law to improve regulation of insurance adjusters by strengthing
administrative control over educational requirements for adjusters.
New sec.19.621 sets forth the purposes and scope of these sections.
New sec.19.622 sets forth the definitions for "approved course
of study," "board," "certification process," "class hour," "
credit hour, "educational coordinator," "licensee," "provider,"
and "staff." New sec.19.623 sets out the distribution of the
rules and sec.19.624 sets forth the forms which are adopted
by reference. New sec.19.625 sets forth the continuing education
requirements for adjusters and new sec.19.626 sets forth the
consequences of failure to comply with such requirements. Licensees
who do not comply with the continuing education requirement may
be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with that rule
and with the Insurance Code, Article 1.10, sec.7, and Article
21.07-4, sec.17 and sec.7A. New sec.19.627 sets out the
requirements and procedure for approval and decertification of
courses and sets out the interrelationship between the Texas
Education Agency which approves providers and the State Board
of Insurance which certifies the courses for continuing education
for adjusters. New sec.19.628 sets forth the licensee's responsibilities
for record keeping for continuing education records and sec.19.
629 sets forth the information which must be furnished to the
licensee by the providers and sets out the requirements for records
which may be audited or reviewed by the board. New sec.19.630
sets forth the appeals process.
The new sections are adopted on an emergency basis under the
Insurance Code, Article 1.04, which authorizes the State Board
of Insurance to determine rules in accordance with the laws of
this state, and under the Insurance Code, Article 21.07-4,
s7A, which authorizes the State Board of Insurance to certify
continuing education programs for adjusters and mandates the
participation in such programs for adjusters.
sec.19.621. Purpose and
Scope.
The purpose of
sec.sec.19.621-19.630 of this
title (relating to Purpose
and Scope; Definitions; Distribution
of Rules; Forms Adopted
by Reference; Continuing Education
Requirements; Licensee's Failure
to Comply; Approved Courses
of Study and Providers;
Licensee's Responsibility for Record
Keeping, Records and Audit;
and Appeals) is to set
forth a procedure for
certifying continuing education
programs for certain adjusters
licensed under the Insurance
Code, Article 21.07-4, and
to establish requirements for
implementation of the continuing
education programs mandated in
the Insurance Code, Article
21.07-4, sec.7A. These sections
contain requirements for adjusters
to comply with the educational
requirements and contain requirements
for the approval of courses
and of providers wishing
to offer such courses.
sec.19.622. Definitions.
The following words and
terms, when used in this
subchapter, shall have the
following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
Approved course
of study-A course which
the educational coordinator of
the Agents' Licensing Section
of the State Board of
Insurance has placed on
a list of certified courses
for insurance adjusters pursuant
to the requirements in
sec.19.627 of this title
(relating to Approved Courses
of Study and Providers);
and which has received
a Conditional Approval Letter,
SBI Form LDCE-0012, as
described in sec.19.627(e) of
this title (relating to
Approved Courses of Study
and Providers).
Board-The State
Board of Insurance.
Certification process
-The process followed in
approving or disapproving a
proposed continuing education course,
including review of the
proposed course and correspondence
relating to the proposed
course.
Class hour-An
actual hour of classroom
instruction; 50 minutes may
be considered an hour.
Credit hour-An
hour of classroom instruction
for which continuing education
credit may be obtained
under sec.19.627 of this
title (relating to Approved
Courses of Study and
Providers.)
Educational coordinator
-The person in the Agents'
Licensing Section of the
State Board of Insurance
who is designated by
the deputy insurance commissioner
for licensing to administer
the continuing education program
for the State Board of
Insurance, and who may
be addressed as follows:
Educational Coordinator, Continuing
Education Unit, State Board
of Insurance, Mail Code
014-3, 333 Guadalupe Street,
Austin, Texas 78701-1998.
Licensee-Any holder
of a license under the
authority of the Insurance
Code, Article 21.07-4; except
a trainee licensed under
Article 21. 07-4, sec.2,
or a catastrophe or emergency
adjuster licensed under Article
21. 07-4, sec.5.
Provider-An entity
which has complied with
the requirements set out
in sec.19.627 of this
title (relating to Approved
Courses of Study and
Providers).
Staff-Persons employed
in the Continuing Education
Unit of the State Board
of Insurance.
sec.19.623. Distribution of
Rules. A copy of
this subchapter as promulgated
by the State Board of
Insurance shall be given
to any interested person
upon request made to
the educational coordinator.
sec.19.624. Forms Adopted
by Reference. The State
Board of Insurance adopts
by reference certain forms
to be used in conjunction
with the administration of
this subchapter. These forms
are published by the
State Board of Insurance
and copies of the forms
may be obtained from
the Educational Coordinator, Agents'
Licensing Section, State Board
of Insurance, Mail Code
014-3, 333 Guadalupe, Austin,
Texas 78701-1998. Licensees and
providers shall use such
forms as are required
by the provisions of
this subchapter. The forms
adopted by reference are
specifically identified as follows:
(1) SBI Form LDCE-001 Continuing Education Certificate
of Completion;
(2) SBI Form LDCE-002, Request for Approval of Continuing
Education Course;
(3) SBI Form LDCE-003, Licensee's Continuing Education
Summary Report; and
(4) SBI FORM LDCE-0012, Conditional Approval Letter.
sec.19.625. Continuing Education
Requirements.
(a) The continuing education requirements imposed under
sec.19.625 of this title (relating to Continuing Education
Requirements) shall apply to all licensees as defined in sec.19.622
of this title (relating to Definitions) who hold individual licenses
from January 1, 1990.
(b) A licensee under the Insurance Code, Article 21.07-4,
must successfully complete not less than 15 hours of approved
courses of study per each 12-month period beginning on the issuance
date or last renewal date of the license and ending on the expiration
date of the license. At least three of the 15 hours must be in
topics related to and dealing with consumer protection as defined
in the Insurance Code, Article 21.07-4, sec.7A.
sec.19.626. Licensee's Failure
to Comply. A licensee
must provide satisfactory evidence
of successful completion of
the required hours of
continuing education at the
time of license renewal.
Licensees who do not
comply with the continuing
education requirement may be
subject to disciplinary action
in accordance with the
Insurance Code, Article 1.10,
sec.7 and Article 21.07-4,
sec.17 and sec.7A.
sec.19.627. Approved Courses
of Study and Providers.
(a) An approved course of study is one that has been
submitted to the board for approval on SBI Form LDCE-002, has
been reviewed by staff, and has been placed by the educational
coordinator on the list of approved courses. National examination
programs include AAI, AU, CLU, AAM, CEBS, CPCU, AIC, CFP, FLMI,
ALCM, ChFC, LUTC, APA, CIC, RHU, INS, ARM, AMIM, and successful
completion of the examination for any part of these programs
is approved for 15 hours of continuing education credit without
the necessity for further action on the part of the staff or
provider. Further, any insurance course that is part of the degree
curriculum of an accredited college or university shall be awarded
15 hours of continuing education credit for each semester hour
earned during the renewal period for which each credit is claimed.
(b) The list of approved courses shall clearly designate
whether the courses require class attendance or not. The list
shall be available to all interested parties on request made
to the education coordinator.
(c) To be placed on the list of approved courses, a course
of study must meet the following requirements, which apply to
all courses, whether lecture-seminar, correspondence, video,
audio, computer-based, or any other method of presentation.
(1) The content of the course must be designed to increase
a licensee's knowledge and understanding of insurance principles
and coverages; applicable laws; rules and regulations promulgated
by the board; recent and prospective changes in coverage, law,
regulation, and practice; the duties and responsibilities of
the licensee; or consumer protection.
(2) Prior to the beginning of the course, the provider
must furnish students with a written copy of the latest course
outline on file with the Continuing Education Unit of the State
Board of Insurance. This outline shall bear the statement "Report
any deviation from this outline to the State Board of Insurance,
Agent's Licensing Section 014-3, CE Unit, 333 Guadalupe Street,
Austin, Texas 78701-1998; telephone (512) 322-3517."
(3) At the time a student pays for a course, or no later
than the start time of the course, the provider must furnish
each student with a written statement of all the requirements
the student must meet in order to receive credit for a course.
This statement shall not be at variance with the stated method
of completion listed on the application for course approval,
SBI Form LDCE-002. This statement shall include the wording:
"Report any deviation from these requirements to the State Board
of Insurance, Agents' Licensing Section 014-3, CE Unit, 333 Guadalupe
Street, Austin, Texas 78701-1998; telephone (512) 322-3517."
(4) Providers of any course, whether it be lecture, seminar,
correspondence, video, audio, computer-based, or any other method
of presentation or instruction, shall not read from a prepared
script of text or allow such reading as the primary method of
instruction; nor shall a provider play a video or audio recording
featuring such reading as the primary method of instruction during
the instruction of any course.
(5) At the time a student pays for a course, or no later
than the start time of the course, the provider shall furnish
the student with all written material needed to successfully
complete the course.
(6) All audio, video, computer-based, or mixed presentation
mode courses shall have a previously approved workbook or examination
that can be completed only by a student who has gone through
the instruction of the course.
(7) In any lecture or seminar course, or in any other
presentation with more than 10 attendees, provision must be made
for the answering of student questions throughout the course
of instruction.
(8) No provider may allow a student to attend more than
eight hours of lecture or instruction in any 24-hour period.
(9) Successful completion of the course by a licensee
must be verifiable by staff in accordance with the following
subparagraphs (A)-(D).
(A) If attendance is the only requirement for completion
of a lecture or seminar course, then 90% attendance is required.
(B) A correspondence course must be completed by a formal
final examination approved by staff, and administered in accordance
with approved guidelines.
(C) A course which contains both classroom and correspondence
course elements will not be approved.
(d) The number of credit hours of approvable topics in
the outline as determined in accordance with the procedures stated
in this title will be set on an hour per hour basis. The provider
must indicate the hours per approvable topic in the outline so
that the determination of the total number of credit hours of
approvable topics can be made.
(e) Course approval is contingent on the provider's
signing and returning to the educational coordinator the conditional
approval letter (SBI Form LDCE-0012), and on continued compliance
with the other terms under which that course was approved as
set forth in the approval letters. The additional terms shall
specify additional detailed requirements tailored to the specific
needs of the course and shall be in conformance with this rule.
If staff determines that a course is not in compliance with those
terms or with any of the provisions of sec.sec.19.621-19.630
of this title (relating to Purpose and Scope; Definitions; Distribution
of Rules; Forms Adopted by Reference; Continuing Education Requirements,
Licensee's Failure to Comply; Approved Courses of Study and Providers;
Licensee's Responsibility for Record Keeping; Records and Audit;
and Appeals), the educational coordinator shall decertify the
course as provided in sec.19.627 of this title (relating to
Approved Courses of Study and Providers).
(1) The educational coordinator shall, by certified letter,
return receipt requested, notify the provider of the decertification,
and the decertification shall be effective 15 days after the
date upon which that letter is received, or returned unclaimed.
(2) The letter of decertification shall state the reason
for the decertification.
(3) After final action, the course list published by
the Agents' Licensing Section of the State Board of Insurance
shall have a section entitled, "COURSES DECERTIFIED FOR NONCOMPLIANCE,"
and in that section shall be listed the courses and the providers
of those courses that have been decertified during the four months
immediately preceding.
(4) After final action, the educational coordinator shall
provide notice of a course decertification to all interested
parties and the Texas Education Agency, as soon as the action
is effective, and may provide notice to any other person the
educational coordinator considers necessary.
(f) Approval of a course is valid for no more than two
years from the date the original conditional approval letter
was mailed to the provider or other notice of conditional approval
delivered. At the end of two years, staff may require that a
total resubmission of the course be made or staff may issue a
new conditional approval letter, from the date of which the new
conditional approval period starts.
(g) The educational coordinator shall promptly notify
the Texas Education Agency, Division of Proprietary Schools,
of any complaints received regarding the operation of a proprietary
school that offers any approved course of study and shall promptly
notify the Texas Education Agency of any official action taken
against a proprietary school. In either case, the educational
coordinator shall request that the Texas Education Agency take
appropriate action.
(h) In order for a course to retain conditional approval,
the provider must:
(1) maintain detailed records of attendance and enrollment
for a minimum of four years and make these records available
at a time and place chosen by staff, which records must clearly
indicate the name, address, and phone number of each student;
the course taken, the course date, and the number of credit hours
earned; the student's attendance which must be verifiable from
roll records of the specific class; the student's test grade(s)
or other information to support the provider's selected method
of determining course completion. Staff may require additional
information pertaining to either classroom or correspondence
courses;
(2) update course material as required by changes in
statute, rule, and practice;
(3) cooperate with course monitoring by the educational
coordinator or designee;
(4) provide students who meet the requirements of completion
as set forth in sec.19.627 of this title (relating to Approved
Courses of Study and Providers) and recorded on the course approval
application, SBI Form LDCE-002, with a certificate of completion
within 10 days of the completion date;
(5) meet on a continuing basis all other requirements
pertaining to courses in sec.19.627 of this title (relating
to Approved Courses of Study and Providers);
(6) furnish staff with advertising pertaining to an approved
course;
(7) furnish staff with all new dates and locations at
least 10 days prior to the starting date of the class;
(8) furnish staff with a new course approval application,
SBI Form LDCE-002, and all attachments, for any change in course
content or structure, at least 20 working days in advance of
the beginning date of the course; and
(9) provide reasonable accommodations for students with
disabilities.
(i) A particular course may not be used by a licensee
for continuing education credit for a specific license more than
once in any one reporting period for that license.
(j) A licensee who teaches an approved course may receive
100% of the credit hours toward meeting the continuing education
requirement, but this credit may not be used more often than
once in any one reporting period.
(k) The following types of courses shall not be considered
for approval:
(1) a course that is used or approved for, or is on the
outline of courses for the examinations called for in Insurance
Code, Article 21.07-4, sec.10;
(2) courses teaching general accounting or other general
business skills, speed reading, sales or selling, or computer
use;
(3) courses in motivation, goal-setting, time management,
or communication; people skills or interpersonal relations;
(4) meetings held in conjunction with the regular business
of the licensee;
(5) training relating to the product or marketing practices
of a specific company unless such course is provided by an insurance
company or adjusting firm described in subsection (l)
of this section,
credit is given only
to that entity's appointed
agents and employees, no
charge is made for the
training, and the courses
meet all the criteria
for approved courses contained
in sec.19.627 of this
title (relating to Approved
Courses of Study and
Providers).
(l) Courses may only be offered by approved providers.
Entities who are not regulated under the Texas Proprietary School
Act and do not need to seek approval as providers from the Texas
Education Agency or the State Board of Insurance are listed in
paragraph (1) of this subsection. All other entities must either
obtain a certificate from the Texas Education Agency under the
Texas Proprietary School Act (the Act) (Education Code, Chapter
32); or must obtain an exemption from the Texas Education Agency
in accordance with the Act.
(1) The following entities who wish to provide courses
are not required to be approved as providers: Texas public schools
and accredited colleges and universities.
(2) All other entities seeking to become providers must
file with the Texas Education Agency to obtain a certificate
under or an exemption from the Act. Entities who are approved
as providers by any of the means explained in paragraphs (1)
and (2) of this subsection do not need to file their courses
with the Texas Education Agency after the initial certification
process. Those additional courses are filed with the State Board
of Insurance for approval in accordance with these rules even
if the provider is granted a certificate or an exemption under
the Act.
sec.19.628. Licensee's Responsibility
for Record Keeping.
Licensees are responsible for
maintaining their own continuing
education records. This includes
preserving copies of certain
documents for four years.
The documents to be preserved
are: copies of all certifications
(SBI Form LDCE-001) received
from providers as evidence
of course completion; and
copies of all summary
reports (SBI Form LDCE-003),
filed as part of the
license renewal process. The
accuracy of a licensee's
records is subject to
verification at any time,
as more particularly set
forth in sec.19.629 of
this title (relating to
Records and Audit).
sec.19.629. Records and
Audit.
(a) The provider shall furnish to each licensee who successfully
completes an approved course a certificate of completion, SBI
Form LDCE-001, and a blank SBI Form LDCE-003, Licensee's Continuing
Education Summary Report. The certificate of completion shall
include the following information: the licensee's full name,
address, State Board of Insurance license number and license
type(s), the course provider's name and the State Board of Insurance
course number, the date of successful completion, the number
of course hours credit being requested, and the signature of
an approved official of the provider.
(b) If requested by staff during renewal review, the
licensee shall furnish to the board as part of the license renewal,
SBI Form LDCE-003, Licensee's Continuing Education Summary Report,
with copies of the supporting completion certificates attached.
(c) All continuing education reports and records submitted
or maintained for the purpose of licensure or continued course
approval are subject to audit or review by the board.
sec.19.630. Appeals.
An informal and formal
appeals process exists for
the use of providers
who are dissatisfied with
the staff's action in
decertifying the course or
approving the course with
a lesser number of hours
than sought by the provider.
If the provider does
not wish to utilize the
informal process for appeal,
the provider must, within
30 days of the staff's
action, ask for a final
decision by the associate
commissioner for license and
investigations. That decision may
then be appealed in accordance
with paragraph (2) of
this section.
(1) Informal appeal process. If any provider wishes to
contest the decertification of a course or the number of hours
assigned to the course, the provider may, within 30 days; seek
review of the disapproval or number of hours assigned, by a committee
composed of one staff member, the manager of continuing education
and Melvin Clanton, Manager, Administrative Services (all of
whom are not involved in the initial course approval). After
their review, the committee will write an informal report setting
forth the results of their review and their recommendations,
if any, within 30 days from receipt of the request for review.
Following the informal review, the matter will be referred back
to staff. The decertification or approval of hours and the results
of the informal review and the staff's recommendation for final
action will then be forwarded to the associate commissioner for
license and investigations for a final decision on the matter
based on the materials furnished. That decision will be considered
to be a final action on the matter by the commissioner of insurance.
(2) Formal appeal. The final decision on decertification
and/or approval of the number of hours will be subject to a formal
appeal in accordance with Insurance Code, Article 1.04(d) and
the regulations of the board with reference to appeals from decisions
of the Commissioner of Insurance.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 30, 1991.
TRD-9109080
Nicholas Murphy
Chief Clerk
State Board of Insurance
Effective date: July 30, 1991
Expiration date: November 27, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 463-6327
TITLE 40. SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
Part I. Texas Department of Human Services
Chapter 10. Family Self-Support Services
Employment Services
40 TAC sec.10.2304
The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) adopts on an
emergency basis an amendment to sec.10.2304, concerning support
services for participants in job opportunities and basic skills
(JOBS), in its Family Self-Support Services chapter. The purpose
of the amendment is to establish a methodology by which JOBS
transportation allowance limits, established by the Texas Board
of Human Services on August 2, 1990, may be adjusted appropriately.
The revised rates, effective August 1, 1991, appear in the "In
Addition" section of this issue of the Texas
Register.
The department adopts the amendment on an emergency basis
effective August 1, 1991, because failure to do so immediately
would jeopardize the welfare of JOBS participants. It has been
determined that the transportation allowance is insufficient
to allow individuals eligible for and entitled to participate
in the JOBS program to access transportation necessary for their
participation in the program. DHS is simultaneously proposing
this amendment for review and comment in this issue of the
Texas Register.
The amendment is adopted on an emergency basis under the Human
Resources Code, Title 2, Chapter 22, which authorizes the department
to administer public assistance programs.
sec.10.2304. Support Services
for Participants in Job
Opportunities and Basic Skills
(JOBS). Participants in
JOBS are eligible for
the following reimbursements if
identified as needed in
the participant's mutually agreed
upon service plan.
(1) Transportation expense reimbursement-A participant
may receive an allowance not to exceed a monthly amount determined
by the Texas Board of Human Services for transportation expenses
based on scheduled JOBS component activities. The
transportation rates are based
upon local transportation market
surveys and are subject
to changing market conditions.
Changes to the rate schedules
will be published periodically
in the Texas Register
and be available
in local Texas Department
of Human Services (DHS)
offices.
(2) (No change.)
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 30, 1991.
TRD-9109067
Nancy Murphy
Agency liaison, Policy and Document Support
Texas Department of Human Services
Effective date: August 1, 1991
Expiration date: November 29, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 450-3765
Proposed Sections
Before an agency may permanently adopt a new or amended section,
or repeal an existing section, a proposal detailing the action
must be published in the Texas Register
at least 30 days before any action may be taken. The 30-day time
period gives interested persons an opportunity to review and
make oral or written comments on the section. Also, in the case
of substantive sections, a public hearing must be granted if
requested by at least 25 persons, a governmental subdivision
or agency, or an association having at least 25 members.
Symbology in proposed
amendments. New language added to an existing section
is indicated by the use of bold text.
[Brackets] indicate deletion of existing material within a section.
TITLE 10. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Part V. Texas Department of Commerce
Chapter 176. Enterprise Zone Program
10 TAC sec.176.8
The Texas Department of Commerce (Commerce) proposes an amendment
to concerning the Texas Enterprise Zone Program. The proposed
amendment adds approval standards for certification of a qualified
business.
Sal Valdez, deputy director of business development division,
has determined that for the first five-year period the section
is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or
local government as a result of enforcing or administering the
section.
Mr. Valdez also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated
as a result of enforcing the section will be the retention or
creation of jobs because small to medium-size businesses will
receive financial benefit from new investment in enterprise zones.
There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated
economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the
section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Sedora Jefferson,
General Counsel, Texas Department Commerce, P.O. Box 12728, Austin,
Texas 78711, within 30 days after date of this publication.
The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
5190.7, which provide commerce with the authority to adopt rules
for the administration and implementation of the Texas Enterprise
Zone Program.
sec.176.8. Approval Standards.
(a)-(c) (No change.)
(d) Approval standards for
certification of a qualified
business. Such standards will
be determined and final
certification may be granted
by the local governing
body or bodies or department
as applicable in accordance
with the Act. To receive
a refund or a reduction
of taxable capital in
a designated state or
federal enterprise zone under
applicable sections of the
Tax Code, Chapters 151
or 171, the certified
qualified business must apply
to the Comptroller of
Public Accounts for the
refund or the reduction
of taxable capital and
to department or local
governing body or bodies
for certification of retained
jobs or new permanent
jobs created as applicable.
The department shall provide
the comptroller with the
assistance that the comptroller
requires in administering this
section.
(e)[(d)] Approval standards
for certification of neighborhood
enterprise associations. Such standards
will be determined and
final certification may be
granted by local governing
body or bodies as applicable
in accordance with the
Act, sec.21.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 29, 1991.
TRD-9109041
Cathy Bonner
Interim Executive Director
Texas Department of Commerce
Earliest possible date of adoption: July 29, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 472-5059
TITLE 22. EXAMINING BOARDS
Part XII. Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
Chapter 231. Administration
General Practice and Procedure
22 TAC sec.231.25, sec.231.48
The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners proposes amendments
to sec.231.25 and sec.231.48 concerning administration. These
rules are obsolete as written.
Marjorie A. Bronk, executive director, has determined that
for the first five-year period the sections are in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.
Mrs. Bronk also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the sections are in effect there will be no public
benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections. There
will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated
economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the
sections as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Marjorie A. Bronk,
Executive Director, Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners, 9101
Burnet Road, Suite 105, Austin, Texas 78758, (512) 835-2071.
The amendments are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
4528c, sec.5(g) , which provide the Board of Vocational Nurse
Examiners with the authority to make such rules and regulations
as may be necessary to govern its procedures and to carry in
effect the purposes of the law.
sec.231.25. Board Meetings
(Regular). The board shall
hold at least
two regular meetings during
each fiscal year, one
of which shall be held
in September. [The
regular meetings shall be
held in September and
March (unless ordered otherwise
by the president).] The
exact time and place
of each meeting shall
be determined by the
board and posted in accordance
with the Open Meetings
Law.
sec.231.48. Bylaws.
(a) Article I. Title and purposes.
(1) (No change.)
(2) The purposes of the board shall be:
(A)-(C) (No change.)
(D) employ a full-time executive director [, director
of education, two associate directors of education, two investigators,]
and other persons as the board deems necessary to carry out the
provisions of the Act;
(E)-(O) (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 authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 25, 1991.
TRD-9109076
Marjorie A. Bronk, R.N., M.S.H.P.
Executive Director
Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 835-2071
Board Rules
22 TAC sec.231.68
(Editor's note: The
text of the following
section proposed for repeal
will not be published.
The section may be examined
in the offices of the
Texas Board of Vocational
Nurse Examiners or in
the Texas Register office,
Room 245, James Earl
Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos
Street, Austin.)
The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners proposes the repeal
of sec.231.68, concerning effective date. The rule is obsolete,
as the effective date varies for each rule that is adopted.
Marjorie A. Bronk, executive director, has determined that
for the first five-year period the repeal is in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal.
Mrs. Bronk also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the repeal is in effect there will be no public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal. There will be
no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic
cost to persons who are required to comply with the repeal as
proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Marjorie A. Bronk,
Executive Director, Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners, 9101
Burnet Road, Suite 105, Austin, Texas 78758, (512) 835-2071.
The repeal is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
4528c, sec.5(g), which provide the Board of Vocational Nurse
Examiners with the authority to make such rules and regulations
as may be necessary to govern its procedures and to carry in
effect the purposes of the law.
sec.231.68. Effective Date.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 25, 1991.
TRD-9109074
Marjorie A. Bronk, R.N., M.S.H.P.
Executive Director
Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 835-2071
Chapter 233. Education
Approval of Programs
22 TAC sec.233.41
The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners proposes an amendment
to sec.233.41, concerning types of approval for vocational
nursing programs. The portion of this rule being amended is in
conflict with the Vocational Nurse Act.
Marjorie A. Bronk, executive director, has determined that
for the first five-year period the section is in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mrs. Bronk also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the section is in effect there will be no public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section. There will
be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic
cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as
proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Marjorie A. Bronk,
Executive Director, Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners, 9101
Burnet Road, Suite 105, Austin, Texas 78758, (512) 835-2071.
The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
4528c, sec.5(g) which provide the Board of Vocational Nurse
Examiners with the authority to make such rules and regulations
as may be necessary to govern its procedures and to carry in
effect the purposes of the law.
sec.233.41. Types of
Approval.
(a) Initial. Initial approval is extended to a new school
beginning with the date of first enrollment and until licensing
examination results of first graduates are evaluated by the board.
An application for a
vocational nursing program shall
be submitted to the board
with the appropriate fee.
Upon receipt of the application
and fee the board shall
cause a survey of the
institution making such application
to be made by a
qualified representative of the
board. [The application
for approval form is
furnished with a letter
confirming board approval. Approval
fee is submitted at that
time].
(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 authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 25, 1991.
TRD-9109077
Marjorie A. Bronk, R.N., M.S.H.P.
Executive Director
Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 835-2071
Chapter 235. Licensing
Application for Licensure
22 TAC sec.235.9, sec.235.18
The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners proposes amendments
to sec.235.9 and sec.235.18, concerning application for licensure.
Rule 235.9 is being amended to delete the address of the board.
Rule 235.18 is being amended to comply with federal rules/guidelines
by changing the word "handicapped" to "disabled."
Marjorie A. Bronk, executive director, has determined that
for the first five-year period the sections are in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.
Mrs. Bronk also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the sections are in effect there will be no public
benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections. There
will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated
economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the
sections as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Marjorie A. Bronk,
Executive Director, Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners, 9101
Burnet Road, Suite 105, Austin, Texas 78758, (512) 835-2071.
The amendments are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
4528c, sec.5(g) , which provide the Board of Vocational Nurse
Examiners with the authority to make such rules and regulations
as may be necessary to govern its procedures and to carry in
effect the purposes of the law.
sec.235.9. Application Fee.
(a) Application for examination and application for licensure
fees shall:
(1) be payable to the Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
[, 1300 East Anderson Lane, Building C, Suite 285, Austin, Texas
78752];
(2)-(5) (No change.)
(b) (No change.)
sec.235.18. Disabled
[Handicapped] Candidate.
(a) A disabled [handicapped]
candidate for the examination
for licensure who otherwise
is qualified shall not
be deprived of the opportunity
to take the licensing
examination solely by reason
of that disability
[handicap]. "Disabled
[Handicapped] persons" means
any person who has a
physical or mental impairment
which substantially limits one
or more major life activities
and has a record of
such an impairment (reference
Rehabilitation Act 1973).
(b) (No change.)
(c) The request shall include:
(1) A letter from the candidate requesting specific modifications,
including a description of the candidate's disability
[handicap] and when
it was diagnosed.
(2) (No change.)
(3) A written evaluation of the disability from an appropriate
professional confirming the diagnosis of a disability [handicap]
and suggesting what test modifications are warranted based on
the candidate's condition. If a learning disability is identified,
a detailed report must be submitted by a professional certified
or trained in the area of learning disabilities. These costs
are the responsibility of the candidate.
(d)-(f) (No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109072
Marjorie A. Bronk, R.N., M.S.H.P.
Executive Director
Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 835-2071
Issuance of Licenses
22 TAC sec.235.41
The Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners proposes an amendment
to sec.235.41, concerning issuance of certificates of licensure.
The secretary-treasurer of the board no longer signs the certificates
of licensure.
Marjorie A. Bronk, executive director, has determined that
for the first five-year period the section is in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mrs. Bronk also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the section is in effect there will be no public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section. There will
be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic
cost to persons who are required to comply with the section as
proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Marjorie A. Bronk,
Executive Director, Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners, 9101
Burnet Road, Suite 105, Austin, Texas 78758, (512) 835-2071.
The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
4528c, sec.5(g), which provide the Board of Vocational Nurse
Examiners with the authority to make such rules and regulations
as may be necessary to govern its procedures and to carry in
effect the purposes of the law.
sec.235.41. Issuance of
Certificate of Licensure.
As soon as possible after
the board has received
the examination score, a
certificate of licensure will
be issued, signed by
the president of the
board [and the secretary
treasurer of the board],
bearing the seal of the
board and also bearing
the licensee's name, license
number, and date license
number was issued.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 25, 1991.
TRD-9109073
Marjorie A. Bronk, R.N., M.S.H.P.
Executive Director
Board of Vocational Nurse Examiners
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 835-2071
Part XIII. Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators
Chapter 247. Education
22 TAC sec.247.2
The Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators
(TBLNHA) proposes an amendment to sec.247.2, concerning minimum
educational requirements. The amendment will require that a bachelor's
degree must be from an accredited college approved by a national
accrediting association recognized by the State of Texas Higher
Education Coordinating Board.
Curtis D. Adrian, acting executive director, has determined
that for the first five-year period the section is in effect
there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mr. Adrian also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated
as a result of enforcing the section will be to ensure that licensed
nursing home administrators have quality educational backgrounds,
thereby enhancing the quality of life of our citizens in skilled
nursing facilities. There will be no effect on small businesses.
There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required
to comply with the section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Curtis D. Adrian,
TBLNHA, 4800 North Lamar Boulevard, Suite 310, Austin, Texas
78756.
The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
4442d, sec.8, which provide TBLNHA with the authority to make
rules and regulations not inconsistent with law as may be necessary
or proper for the performance of its duties, and to take such
other actions as may be necessary to enable the state to meet
the requirements set forth in the Social Security Act, sec.1908
(142 United States Code Annotated, sec.1396g), the federal
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and other pertinent
federal authority; provided, however, that no rule shall be promulgated,
altered, or abolished without the approval of a two-thirds majority
of the board.
sec.247.2. Minimum Educational
Requirements. The following
educational requirements are and
were considered to be
the minimum necessary to
make application for licensure
as a nursing home administrator
in the State of Texas
during the periods following.
(1)-(4) (No change.)
(5) July 1, 1986 and later: a minimum of a bachelor degree
required. The bachelor's degree
must be from an accredited
college approved by a
national accrediting association
recognized by the State
of Texas Higher Education
Coordinating Board.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 23, 1991.
TRD-9109013
Kim M. Foutz
Administrative Technician III
Texas Board of Licensure for Nursing Home Administrators
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 2, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 458-1955
Part XIX. Polygraph Examiners Board
Chapter 397. General Rules of Practice and Procedure
22 TAC sec.397.40
The Polygraph Examiners Board proposes an amendment to
s397.40, concerning final decisions and orders. The proposed
changes are to insure the rules of the Polygraph Examiners Act
are in compliance with the administrative Procedure and Texas
Register Act (APTRA).
Bryan M. Perot, executive officer, has determined that for
the first five-year period the section is in effect there will
be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a
result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mr. Perot also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated
as a result of enforcing the section will be that the proposed
amendment is to bring the "General Rules of Practice and Procedure"
into compliance with APTRA. There will be no effect on small
businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons
who are required to comply with the section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Bryan M. Perot,
Executive Officer, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas 78773.
The amendment is proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
4413(29cc), which provide the Polygraph Examiners Board with
the authority to regulate persons who purport to be able to detect
deception or to verify truth of statements through the use of
instrumentation.
sec.397.40. Final Decisions
and Orders. All final
decisions and orders of
the board shall be in
writing and shall be
signed by the chairman
of the board [a
majority of the board].
A final decision shall
include findings of fact
and conclusions of law,
separately stated. Findings of
fact, if set forth in
statutory language, shall be
accompanied by a concise
and explicit statement of
the underlying facts supporting
the findings. If, in
accordance with board rules,
a party submits proposed
findings of fact, the
decision shall include a
ruling on each proposed
finding. Parties shall be
notified either personally or
by first class mail of
any decision or order.
A copy of that final
decision or order shall
be sent by first class
mail to the attorneys
of record and the board
shall keep an appropriate
record of that mailing.
If a party is not
represented by an attorney
of record, then the board
shall send a copy of
the final decision or
order ruling on a motion
for rehearing by first
class mail to that party,
and the board shall keep
an appropriate record of
that mailing. A party
or attorney of record
notified by mail of a
final decision or order
a required by this regulation
shall be presumed to
have been notified on
the date such notice
is mailed.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 29, 1991.
TRD-9109061
Bryan M. Perot
Executive Officer
Polygraph Examiners Board
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 465-2058
20
point=13.05p set=12.05p>Part XXIII. Texas
Real Estate Commission
Chapter 531. Canons of Professional Ethics and Conduct
22 TAC sec.531.18
The Texas Real Estate Commission proposes an amendment to
sec.531.18, concerning display of consumer information by licensees.
The amendment adopts by reference a revised consumer notice to
which information has been added about the availability of the
recovery funds administered by the commission. Recovery funds
are used to satisfy judgments against licensees which involve
a violation of the law. The amendment would also require each
licensed real estate broker or inspector to display the notice
in a prominent location in each office the licensee maintains.
The amendment is necessary to enforce compliance with disclosure
requirements imposed by Senate Bill 432, 72nd Legislature (1991).
The commission intends to make copies of the notice available
at no cost to licensees.
Mark A. Moseley, general counsel, has determined that for
the first five-year period the section is in effect there will
be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a
result of enforcing or administering the section. Costs to the
state for printing and distributing the consumer information
form to licensees is estimated at $7,000 for fiscal year 1992
and $1,000 annually for fiscal years 1993-1996. There will be
no fiscal implications for local government.
Mr. Moseley also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the section in effect the public benefit anticipated
as a result of enforcing the section will be increased public
awareness of the availability of the businesses. There is no
anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply
with the action as proposed. There will be no impact on local
employment.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mark A. Moseley,
General Counsel, Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188,
Austin, Texas 78711-2188.
The amendment and new section are proposed under Texas Civil
Statutes, Article 6573a, sec.5(h), which authorizes the Texas
Real Estate Commission to make and enforce all rules and regulations
necessary for the performance of its duties.
sec.531.81. Consumer Information
Form 1-1 [1-0].
(a) The Texas Real Estate Commission adopts by reference
Consumer Information Form 1-1
[1-0] approved by the
Texas Real Estate Commission
in 1991 [1989].
This document is published
by and available from
the Texas Real Estate
Commission, P.O. Box 12188,
Austin, Texas 78711-2188.
(b) Each real estate inspector
or active real estate
broker licensed by the
Texas Real Estate Commission
shall display Consumer Information
Form 1-1 [1-0]
in a prominent location
in each place of
business [office] the
broker or inspector
maintains [in this
state].
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9108996
Mark A. Moseley
General Counsel
Texas Real Estate Commission
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900
Chapter 535. Provisions of the Real Estate License Act
Education, Experience, Educational Programs, Time Periods,
and Type of License
22 TAC sec.535.66, sec.535.69
The Texas Real Estate Commission proposes an amendment to
sec.535.66, concerning real estate educational programs, and
new sec.535.69, concerning additional core real estate courses.
The amendment to sec.535.66 would permit schools approved
and regulated by other state agencies to submit real estate or
real estate-related courses to the commission for approval. The
amendment also provides for the withdrawal of approval if the
provider fails to comply with commission rules governing educational
programs. Under the existing section, only proprietary schools
accredited by the commission and trade associations may apply
for commission approval to offer courses acceptable for licensing
credit. The amendment is necessary to extend the approval process
to schools regulated by other state agencies and broaden the
acceptance of real estate or real estate-related coursework submitted
by license applicants.
New sec.535.69 would establish two additional core real
estate courses which could be taken by applicants to satisfy
the educational requirements for real estate licensing. The commission
is authorized by Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, sec.5(b),
to establish by rule the title and content of additional core
real estate courses. The new section specifies the content of
a core course devoted to the contract forms promulgated by the
commission and of a course devoted to residential inspection
topics. The new section is necessary to make a broader selection
of required coursework available to license applicants and to
encourage study of the topics contained in each new core real
estate course.
Donald C. Roose, education officer, has determined that for
the first five-year period the sections are in effect there will
be fiscal implications for state government as a result of enforcing
or administering the sections. Additional revenue from course
or provider application fees is estimated to be $1,200 for the
first year after adoption of the sections and $600 a year thereafter.
There are no fiscal implications for local government.
Mr. Roose also has determined that for each year of the first
five years the section is in effect the public benefit anticipated
as a result of enforcing the sections will be a greater availability
of real estate or real estate-related courses. There will be
no effects on small businesses as a result of enforcing the sections.
There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required
to comply with the sections as proposed. There will be no impact
on local employment.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Donald Roose,
Education Officer, Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188,
Austin, Texas 78711-2188.
The amendment and new section are proposed under Texas Civil
Statutes, Article 6573a, sec.5(h), which authorize the Real
Estate License Act Estate Commission to make and enforce all
rules and regulations necessary for the performance of its duties.
sec.535.66. Educational Programs:
Accreditation.
(a)-(b) (No change.)
(c) In considering an application, special attention
will be given to management, instructorship, physical plant,
financial base, and curriculum.
(1) An entity filing an application for approval of a
proprietary real estate school in Texas shall submit material
for no less than 180 hours of core real estate courses with the
original application for approval.
(2) Professional or trade organizations or
schools approved and regulated
by an agency of this
state may submit
real estate or real
estate related courses
for approval limited to
their areas of specialization.
(d)-(ii) (No change.)
(jj) The commission may place on probation or
suspend [operation] or
withdraw accreditation of a
school or course offered
by a school or
other entity approved to
offer courses for
a violation of these
sections or for other
good cause as determined
by the commission. The
commission may place on
probation, suspend operation, or
withdraw accreditation of a
school or course or
for the failure of
the school or entity
[school's operator or
owner] to provide within
15 days information requested
by commission staff as
a result of a formal
or informal complaint to
the commission which would
indicate a violation of
these sections.
(kk)-(ss) (No change.)
sec.535.69. Additional Core
Real Estate Courses.
In addition to the courses
of study specified in
Texas Civil Statutes, Article
6573a, sec.7(a), the following
shall be considered core
real estate courses.
(1) Promulgated contract forms (or equivalent) shall
include but not be limited to:
(A) unauthorized practice of law;
(B) broker-lawyer committee;
(C) current promulgated forms;
(D) commission rules governing use of forms; and
(E) case studies involving use of forms.
(2) Residential inspection for real estate agents (or
equivalent) shall include but not be limited to:
(A) property condition addendum;
(B) inspector and client agreement;
(C) tools and procedures;
(D) electromechanical systems (plumbing, heating, air
conditioning, appliances, energy-saving considerations); and
(E) structures (lot and landscape, roofs, chimney, gutters,
paved areas, walls, windows and doors, insect damage, and storage
areas).
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9108998
Mark A. Moseley
General Counsel
Texas Real Estate Commission
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900
Chapter 544. Rules Relating to Certified Real Estate Appraisers
22 TAC sec.sec.544.1-544.9
(Editor's note: The
text of the following
sections proposed for repeal
will not be published.
The sections may be examined
in the offices of the
Texas Real Estate Commission
or in the Texas Register
office, Room 245, James
Earl Rudder Building, 1019
Brazos Street, Austin.)
The Texas Real Estate Commission proposes the repeal of
ssec.544.1-544.9, concerning certified real estate appraisers.
Repeal of these sections is necessary because of the repeal of
Texas Civil Statutes, Article 6573a, sec.22, by the 72nd Legislature
(1991). Authority to certify real estate appraisers has been
transferred to the newly created Texas Appraiser Licensing and
Certification Board.
Mark A. Moseley, general counsel, has determined that for
the first five-year period the repeals are in effect there will
be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a
result of enforcing or administering the repeals.
Mr. Moseley also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the repeals are in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeals will be conforming
the agency's sections with the law. There will be no effect on
small businesses as a result of enforcing the repeals. There
is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to
comply with the repeals as proposed. There will be no impact
on local employment.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Mark A. Moseley,
General Counsel, Texas Real Estate Commission, P.O. Box 12188,
Austin, Texas 78711-2188.
The repeals are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
6573a, sec.5(h), which authorizes the Texas Real Estate Commission
to make and enforce all rules and regulations necessary for the
performance of its duties.
sec.544.1. Definitions.
sec.544.2. Application for
Certification.
sec.544.3. Examinations.
sec.544.4. Experience Required
for Certification.
sec.544.5. Educational Requirements
for Certification or Renewal.
sec.544.6. Renewal of
Certification.
sec.544.7. The Committee.
sec.544.8. Disciplinary Actions.
sec.544.9. Standards of
Professional Practice.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9108997
Mark A. Moseley
General Counsel
Texas Real Estate Commission
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 465-3900
TITLE 31. NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION
Part III. Texas Air Control Board
Chapter 111. Control of Air Pollution from Visible Emissions
and Particulate Matter
Visible Emissions
31 TAC sec.111.111
The Texas Air Control Board (TACB) proposes an amendment to
sec.111.111, concerning visible emissions, by adding controls
for solid fuel heating devices. This action is being proposed
in conjunction with the development of a state implementation
plan for the control of inhalable particulate matter, in accordance
with the 1990 Federal Clean Air Amendments.
The proposed section would regulate the use of solid fuel
heating devices in the City of El Paso during periods of inadequate
dispersion and establish conditions under which exemptions from
the requirements would be applicable.
Bennie Engelke, director of administrative services, has determined
that for the first five-year period the section is in effect
fiscal implications for state and local government as a result
of enforcing or administering the section are estimated to be
minimal. An ordinance has already been adopted by the City of
El Paso, and the proposed rule incorporate the principal provisions
of this ordinance.
Lane Hartsock, director of the Planning and Development Program,
has determined that for each year of the first five years the
section is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result
of enforcing the section will be rules which are enforceable
by state and federal authorities. There is no effect on small
businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons
who are required to comply with the section as proposed.
A public hearing on this proposal is scheduled for 6 p.m.
on September 5, 1991 in the El Paso City Council Chambers, 2
Civic Center Plaza, El Paso.
Copies of the proposed new section are available at the TACB
central office and at all regional offices. Public comment, both
oral and written, on the proposed changes is invited at the hearing.
Written testimony received by 4 p.m. on September 6, 1991 will
be included in the hearing record. Written comments should be
sent to the Regulation Development Section, Texas Air Control
Board, 12124 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.
The amendment is proposed under the Texas Clean Air Act (TCAA),
sec.382.017, Texas Health and Safety Code (Vernon 1990), which
provides the TACB with the authority to adopt rules consistent
with the policy and purposes of the TCAA.
sec.111.111. Requirements for
Specified Sources.
(a)-(b) (No change.)
(c) Solid fuel heating
devices.
(1) Operating restrictions.
In the city of El
Paso, including the Fort
Bliss Military Reservation, no
person shall operate a
solid fuel heating device
during a period when
available meteorological data indicates
that expected atmospheric conditions
will not adequately disperse
smoke resulting from the
operation of solid fuel
heating devices. For the
purposes of this section,
a solid fuel heating
device shall be defined
as any fireplace, wood
heater, wood stove, wood-fired
boiler, coal-fired furnace, or
similar device burning any
solid fuel which is used
for aesthetic, cooking (excluding
commercial cooking), or heating
purposes, and located inside
a building.
(2) Exemptions. An exemption
form the requirements of
this section may be granted
by the regional director
of the Texas Air Control
Board if one or more
of the following conditions
are met:
(A) the solid fuel
heating device is in
a period of burn down;
that is, a period of
time not to exceed three
hours for the cessation
of combustion within the
device;
(B) the solid fuel
heating device is the
sole source of heat for
the building in which
it is situated; or
(C) the solid fuel
heating device becomes the
sole source of heat within
the building because of
a temporary power loss.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 25, 1991.
TRD-9109128
Lane Hartsock
Director, Planning and Development Board
Texas Air Control Board
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 908-1770
Materials Handling, Construction, Roads, Streets, Alleys,
and Parking Lots
31 TAC sec.sec.111.141,
111.145, 111.147
The Texas Air Control Board (TACB) proposes amendments to
sec.sec.111.141, 111. 145, and 111.147, concerning materials
handling, construction, roads, streets, alleys, and parking lots.
This action is being proposed in conjunction with the development
of a state implementation plan for the control of inhalable particulate
matter, in accordance with the 1990 Federal Clean Air Act Amendments.
All revisions are applicable only to the City of El Paso.
The revisions to sec.111.141, concerning geographic areas
of application and date of compliance, would include the Fort
Bliss Military Reservation in the definition of the areas which
must comply with the requirements of the undesignated head concerning
materials handling, construction, roads, streets, alleys, and
parking lots, and establish a separate compliance date of December
10, 1993 for newly-affected sources. The revisions to sec.111.145,
concerning construction and demolition, specify that controls
are necessary for all such activities, regardless of the size
of the area of land affected, and would require the application
of asphalt, other suitable paving, or wetting agents for construction/demolition
site access roads. The revisions to sec.111.147, concerning
roads, streets, and alleys, eliminate the exemption for the removal
of sand which is applied for the specific purpose of snow or
ice control, add requirements for paving and cleaning all vehicle
traffic surfaces at specific facilities, require that specific
thoroughfares be paved, add paving requirements for alleys and
levee roads, and define a street sweeping schedule and recordkeeping
requirements.
Bennie Engelke, director of administrative services, has determined
that for the first five-year period the sections are in effect
the cost incurred for local governments would be to the City
of El Paso for the costs of implementing and enforcing dust control
measures enumerated in the rules. These costs are estimated to
be $1 million per year for paving, $200,000 per year for street
sweeping, and $275,000 per year for enforcement. There will be
no effect on state government. Economic costs to small businesses
required to implement the proposed construction/demolition dust
control measures are estimated to be $400, 000 per city block
for construction and $350,000 per city block per year for demolition.
Lane Hartsock, director of the Planning and Development Program,
has determined that for each year of the first five years the
sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result
of enforcing the sections will be reduced public exposure to
dust and inhalable particulates. There is no anticipated economic
cost to persons who are required to comply with the sections
as proposed.
A public hearing on this proposal is scheduled for 6 p.m.
on September 5, 1991 in the El Paso City Council Chambers, 2
Civic Center Plaza, El Paso.
Copies of the proposed new sections are available at the TACB
central office and at all regional offices. Public comment, both
oral and written, on the proposed changes is invited at the hearing.
Written testimony received by 4 p.m. on September 6, 1991 will
be included in the hearing record. Written comments should be
sent to the Regulation Development Section, Texas Air Control
Board, 12124 Park 35 Circle, Austin, Texas 78753.
The amendments are proposed under the Texas Clean Air Act
(TCAA), sec.382.017, Texas Health and Safety Code (Vernon 1990),
which provides TACB with the authority to adopt rules consistent
with the policy and purposes of the TCAA.
sec.111.141. Geographic Areas
of Application and Date
of Compliance. Section
111.141 of this title
(relating to Geographic Areas
of Application and Date
of Compliance), sec.111.143 of
this title (relating to
Materials Handling), sec.111.145
of this title (relating
to Construction and Demolition),
sec.111.147 of this title
(relating to Roads, Streets,
and Alleys), and sec.111.149
of this title (relating
to Parking Lots) shall
apply to the following
areas: the City of El
Paso, including the
Fort Bliss Military Reservation,
unless otherwise specified;
that portion of Harris
County inside the loop
formed by Beltway 8;
and that area of Nueces
County outlined in the
Group II State Implementation
Plan for Inhalable Particulate
Matter adopted by the
Texas Air Control Board
on May 13, 1988. Compliance
with these sections shall
be as soon as practicable
, but no later
than December 31, 1991
, except as follows:
compliance on the Fort
Bliss Military Reservation and
compliance with sec.111.145(3)
of this title (relating
to Construction and Demolition);
and sec.111.147(1), (E), (F),
and (2) of this title
(relating to Roads, Streets
and Alleys), shall be
as soon as practicable,
but no later than December
10, 1993.
sec.111.145. Construction and
Demolition. For the purpose
of this section, the
following restrictions apply if
the area of land affected
by the listed activities
is more than one acre
in size, except for
the City of El Paso,
where restrictions shall apply
regardless of the size
of the area of land
affected. No person
may cause, suffer, allow,
or permit a structure,
road, street, alley, or
parking area to be constructed,
altered, repaired, or demolished,
or land to be cleared
without taking at least
the following precautions to
achieve maximum control of
dust emissions to the
extent practicable:
(1)-(2) (No change.)
(3) application of asphalt,
other paving materials, water,
suitable oil, or chemicals
on construction and/or demolition
site access roads located
in the City of El
Paso.
sec.111.147. Roads, Streets,
and Alleys. No person
may cause, suffer, allow,
or permit any public,
industrial, commercial[,] or private
road, street, or alley
to be used without taking
at least the following
precautions to achieve maximum
control of dust emissions
to the extent practicable:
(1) application of asphalt, water, or suitable oil or
chemicals on the following unpaved surfaces,
except in the City of
El Paso, where the use
of paving materials is
the only acceptable method
of dust control:
(A)-(D) (No change.)
(E) alleys-in the City
of El Paso, shall be
paved at the rate of
15 miles per year;
(F) levee roads-in the
City of El Paso, all
levee roads and access
to such roads shall be
controlled with the application
of asphalt, or suitable
oil or chemicals as soon
as practicable;
(2) removal from public thoroughfares, as necessary,
of soil or other materials, except for sand applied for the specific
purpose of snow or ice control. In the City of El Paso, removal
of soil shall be by mechanical sweepers or their equivalent
at the rate of four
times per year for all
public thoroughfares within the
city limits and six times
per week or as necessary
for public thoroughfares within
the central business district.
For the purpose of this
section, the central business
district shall be defined
as that area bordered
by Loop 375 to the
south, Santa Fe Street
to the west, Missouri
Street to the north,
and Kansas Street to
the east. In the City
of El Paso, spot cleaning
of visibly dirty road
areas, including sand applied
for the specific purpose
of snow or ice control,
shall be accomplished as
soon as practicable and
records shall be maintained
of all street sweeping
activities.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 25, 1991.
TRD-9109127
Lane Hartsock
Director, Planning and Development Program
Texas Air Control Board
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 908-1770
TITLE 37. PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS
Part I. Texas Department of Public Safety
Chapter 1. Organization and Administration
Personnel and Employment Policies
37 TAC sec.1.22
The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes an amendment
to sec.1.22, concerning screening of applicants on the basis
of traffic and criminal record. Paragraph (2) is amended to delete
and add language whereby a conviction of driving while intoxicated
during the five-year period immediately prior to the date of
application will be cause for automatic disqualification. The
arrest title for driving under the influence of drugs is changed
to driving while intoxicated by previous statutory provision.
Melvin C. Peeples, assistance chief of fiscal affairs, has
determined that for the first five-year period the section is
in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local
government as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Terry H. Greene, commander of personnel bureau, has determined
that for each year of the first five years the section is in
effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing
the section will be that applicants with a driving while intoxicated
conviction that occurred more than five years prior to date of
application for employment will be allowed to compete for non-commissioned
positions within the department. There will be no effect on small
businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons
who are required to comply with the section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to John C. West,
Jr., Texas Department of Public Safety, Box 4087, Austin, Texas
78773-0001, (512) 465-2000.
The amendment is proposed under the Texas Government Code,
sec.411.007, which provides the Public Safety Commission with
the authority to establish grades and positions for the department
and set standards of qualifications for each such grade and position
so established. Rulemaking authority is granted in this section.
sec.1.22. Screening of
Applicants on the Basis
of Traffic and Criminal
Records. When it is
determined that an applicant
fits into any of the
following categories, the applicant
will not be eligible
to take the examination
for entrance into the
department, or if the
applicant has completed the
examination, the application will
be rejected at once:
(1) a conviction for a felony. Probation will be considered
a conviction until the case is dismissed;
(2) a conviction of
driving while intoxicated during
the five-year period immediately
prior to the date of
application [a conviction
of driving while intoxicated
or driving under the
influence of drugs. Probation
will be considered a
conviction until the case
is dismissed. This requirement
may be waived for applicants
seeking positions of labor
or trades, providing the
conviction has not occurred
within the five-year period
immediately prior to the
date of application];
(3) the applicant's driver's license is suspended, cancelled,
or revoked;
(4) a traffic record or other condition of such a nature
that the department has started action or is about to start action
to suspend, cancel, or revoke the applicant's license;
(5) a finding by a court of competent jurisdiction that
the applicant was a delinquent child. If the applicant's record
in the proceeding is ordered sealed, the incident should be disregarded
and treated as though it did not exist;
(6) the applicant's driver's license has been suspended
by the department during the last five years as a habitual violator.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 3, 1991.
TRD-9109016
Joe E. Milner
Director
Texas Department of Public Safety
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 465-2000
Chapter 33. All-Terrain Vehicle Operator Education and Certification
Program
37 TAC sec.sec.33.2-33.4
The Texas Department of Public Safety proposes amendment to
sec.sec.33.2-33.4, concerning operator education program,
operator education program sponsor and instructors, and notice
of hearing requirements. Section 32.2(a) is amended by adding
language regarding distribution of information about Texas laws
which pertain to all-terrain vehicles. Section 33.3 is amended
by deleting and adding language pertaining to instructor application
for certification to teach in Texas. These amendments appear
in subsections (a)-(c). Amendment to sec.33.4 adds subsection
(a)(5) pertaining to department revocation of certification of
the applicant or instructor.
Melvin C. Peeples, assistant chief of fiscal affairs, has
determined that for the first five-year period the sections are
in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local
government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.
Henry Palma, Sr., manager, motorcycle safety bureau, has determined
that for each year of the first five years the sections are in
effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing
the sections will be to ensure the public that administration
of the All-Terrain Vehicle Program meets professional standards
and state requirements for instructor of operator education programs.
There will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated
economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the
sections as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to John C. West,
Jr., Texas Department of Public Safety, Box 4087, Austin, Texas
78773-0001, (512) 465-2000.
The amendments are proposed under Texas Civil Statutes, Article
6701c-5, which provide the Texas Department of Public Safety
with the authority to adopt rules to effectively administer the
All Terrain Vehicle Education and Certification Program.
sec.33.2. Operator Education
Program.
(a) The all-terrain vehicle operator education course
curriculum shall consist of the Texas Department of Public Safety's
approved training program and the
distribution of information about
Texas laws which pertain
to all-terrain vehicles.
The department approves and
adopts the most current
version of the ATV Safety
Institute's seven-hour hands-on
ATV ridercourse which meets
the requirements set forth
in the consent decree.
(b)-(g) (No change.)
sec.33.3. Operator Education
Program Sponsor and Instructors.
(a) The department will enter into an agreement with
the All-Terrain vehicle Safety Institute (ASI), which represents
the manufacturers who must conform to the requirements which
have been mandated in the consent decree to operate the training
program, to serve as program sponsor, to administer the program,
and to train [and license] instructors.
(b) The department approves and adopts the most current
version of the ATV Safety Institute's instructor preparation
curriculum and standards as identified in the most current edition
of the ATV Safety Institute
ATV RiderCourse Chief Instructor's
Guide. [Persons successfully
completing the approved all-terrain
vehicle instructor preparation
course and meeting the
minimum qualifications set therein
will be approved to teach
the course in Texas for
the period stated in
their license.]
(c) Upon written application
to the department, persons
who successfully complete the
approved all-terrain vehicle instructor
preparation course, enter into
an instructor license agreement
with ASI, and meet the
minimum qualifications as contained
in these rules will be
approved to teach the
course in Texas for the
period stated in their
license. [The program
sponsor will provide the
department, on a quarterly
basis, with a current
list of instructors licensed
to teach in Texas].
sec.33.4. Notice of
Hearing Requirements.
(a) The department may deny, suspend, or cancel its approval
for a program sponsor to conduct a course or for an instructor
to teach courses offered under this chapter if the applicant,
instructor, or program sponsor:
(1)-(4) (No change.)
(5) does not enter
into any license agreement
required by these rules
or any such agreement
is revoked, transferred, assigned,
or is subject to revocation
because of the actions
of the applicant or instructor.
(b)-(h) (No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 3, 1991.
TRD-9109015
Joe E. Milner
Director
Texas Department of Public Safety
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 465-2000
Part VIII. Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards
and Education
Chapter 233. Standards for Certification
37 TAC sec.233.5
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes an amendment to sec.233.5, concerning standards
for certification. The section is amending definitions used in
this chapter.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
for the first five-year period the section is in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the section is in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be clarification
of minimum training requirements and simplified scheduling of
courses. There will be no effect on small businesses. There is
no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply
with the section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The amendment is proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.233.5. Definitions.
(a) (No change.)
(b) The following words and terms, when used in this
chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) -(5) (No change.)
(6) Class hour-Defined as not
less than fifty 50 minutes
of instruction, also defined
as a contact hour
[sixty (60) minutes of
instruction]; a standard for
certification of fire protection
personnel.
(7)-(25) (No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109019
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
37 TAC sec.233.9
(Editor's note: The
text of the following
section proposed for repeal
will not be published.
The section may be examined
in the offices of the
Commission on Fire Protection
Personnel Standards and Education
or in the Texas Register
office, Room 245, James
Earl Rudder Building, 1019
Brazos Street, Austin.)
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes the repeal of sec.233.9, concerning minimum
standards for basic structure fire protection personnel certification.
This repeal is proposed to become effective April 1, 1992, to
coincide with the proposed effective date of a new sec.233.9
of this title relating to the same subject, which will contain
new rules adopted by the commission for certification of structure
fire protection personnel.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
for the first five-year period the section is in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the section is in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be clarification
of certification requirements. There will be no effect small
businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons
who are required to comply with the section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The repeal is proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.233.9. Minimum Standards
for Basic Structure Fire
Protection Personnel.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109020
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes new sec.233.9, concerning certification
requirements for basic structure fire protection personnel. This
new section has a proposed effect date of April 1, 1992, and
is intended to replace the repealed sec.233.9, which will also
become effective April 1, 1992.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
there will be fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or
administering the section. The effect on state government for
the first five-year period the section is in effect will be an
estimated program cost of $56,860.15 for fiscal years 1992-1996;
an increase in revenue of $18,953.38 for fiscal year 1992 and
$56.860. 15 for fiscal years 1993-1996; and an estimated cost
to the state of $37,906.76 for fiscal year 1992. There will be
no additional costs to the state for fiscal years 1993-1996.
The effect on local government, resulting from enforcing these
section will depend on local government policy as follows. If
a local government entity chooses to employ individuals, as fire
protection personnel, who have notmet the training and testing
requirements of this section, there will be no fiscal implications
for that entity.
If a local government entity chooses to employ individuals,
as fire protection personnel, who have not met the training and
testing requirements of this section and if the entity chooses
to bear the training and testing cost required by this section,
for the individual, then the fiscal implication for the entity
will be a one time, 13% increase in the training cost, for each
new fire protection person employed, and a one time additional
cost for state examination that is estimated to be in a range
from $50 to $100 for each individual examined.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the section is in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be an overall
improvement in the level of training completed by fire protection
personnel, resulting in an equal improvement in the level of
service provided to the public. There will be no effect on small
businesses. The economic cost to persons who are required to
comply with the section as proposed will be a 13% increase in
training cost due to an increase in required hours and an additional
cost for state testing which is dependent upon the cost of administering
the program. It is estimated that the cost per examination would
be in a range from $50 to $100.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The new section is proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.233.9. Minimum Standards
for Basic Structural Fire
Protection Personnel.
(a) The effective date of this section shall be April
1, 1992. Training programs that are intended to satisfy the requirements
for basic structure fire protection personnel certification,
that are started after the effective date of this section, must
meet the curriculum, competencies, hours, and examination requirements
of this section.
(b) All full-time, full-paid employees of any local government
entity, who are assigned structure fire protection duties must
be certified by the commission. In order to be certified, structure
fire protection personnel must:
(1) complete a commission approved basic structural fire
suppression curriculum and successfully pass the commission examination
prior to being assigned to fire suppression duties. An approved
basic structure fire suppression curriculum shall consist of
one of the following:
(A) completion of the commission approved basic structural
fire suppression curriculum as specified in Chapter 1, Basic
Structure Fire Suppression Curriculum, of the commission's document
titled "Commission Certification Curriculum Manual," as adopted
by reference in sec.247.1 of this title (relating to Basic
Structure Fire Suppression Curriculum), and successfully pass
the commission examination as specified in Chapter 241, of this
title, pertaining to Examinations for Certification, within one
year prior to the date of assignment to fire suppression; or
(B) completion of an out-of-state training program deemed
equivalent to a commission approved basic structural fire suppression
curriculum, documentation of one years' experience as a full-time/full-paid
fire fighter, and successfully pass the commission examination
as specified in sec.241.17(b) of this title (relating to Testing
for Proof of Proficiency); or
(C) completion of a military training program deemed
equivalent to a commission approved basic structural fire suppression
curriculum, documentation of one years' experience as a full-time/full-paid
fire fighter and successfully pass the commission examination
as specified in sec.241. 17(b);
(2) complete as a minimum the certification requirements
and be certified by the Texas Department of Health, as a emergency
care attendant, within one year from the date of employment.
Any higher level of emergency medical certification recognized
by the Texas Department of Health, such as Emergency Medical
Technician (EMT) or paramedic may also be used to satisfy the
emergency medical training requirement of this section;
(3) comply with the continuing education requirement
specified in Chapter 243 of this title (relating to Continuing
Education);
(4) complete one year of employment, with a duty assignment
defined by the commission as full-time, full-paid structure fire
protection personnel. Out-of-state, or military personnel who
have met the training requirements by either of the methods specified
in paragraph (1)(C) or (D) of this subsection, relating to standards
for certification, will have already met the one year requirement
of this subsection.
(c) All questions of training equivalency will be decided
by the commission.
(d) The commission examination required prior to assignment
to fire suppression duties will be conducted according to the
rules set forth in Chapter 241.
(e) The commission approved basic structural fire suppression
curriculum must be taught by a training facility that has been
certified by the commission as provided in sec.sec.233.17-233.29
of this title (relating to Minimum Standards for Recruit Training
Facilities for Structural Fire Suppression Personnel).
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109021
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
37 TAC sec.233.113
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes an amendment to sec.233.113, concerning
minimum standards for Fire and Arson Investigator certification.
The section is being proposed to amend subsection (e), adding
the National Fire Academy Resident Fire and Arson Investigator
Course.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
for the first five-year period the section is in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the section is in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be the
addition of another source to obtain the required training for
fire and arson investigator certification. There will be no effect
on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to
persons who are required to comply with the section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The amendment is proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.233.113. Minimum Standards
for Basic Fire and Arson
Investigation Certification.
(a)-(d) (No change.)
(e) Applicants wishing to qualify for basic fire and
arson investigation certification by other than an accredited
college semester hour program may do so by successfully completing
the National Fire Academy
Resident Fire and Arson
Investigator Course, or
a commission approved, 90
class hour program, which
must include as a minimum,
the specified hours in
the following subjects:
(1)-(27) (No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109022
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
37 TAC sec.233.131
(Editor's note: The
text of the following
section proposed for repeal
will not be published.
The section may be examined
in the offices of the
Commission Fire Protection Personnel
Standards and Education or
in the Texas Register
office, Room 245, James
Earl Rudder Building, 1019
Brazos Street, Austin.)
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes the repeal of sec.233.131, concerning testing
for renewal or certification status. This repeal is proposed
to be effective April 1, 1992, to coincide with the proposed
effective date of a new Chapter 241 of this title relating to
Examinations for Certification which will contain commission
rules for all required examinations.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
for the first five-year period the repeal is in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the repeal.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the repeal is in effect the public benefit anticipated
as a result of enforcing the repeal will be clarification of
all testing requirements by consolidating all testing requirements
in one new chapter titled Examinations for Certification. There
will be no effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated
economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the
section as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The repeal is proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.233.131. Testing for
Renewal or Certification Status.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109023
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
Chapter 239. Fees
37 TAC sec.239.7, sec.239.9
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes amendments to sec.239.7 and sec.239.9,
concerning fees charged for commission manuals. The effective
date of this proposal is April 1, 1992, and is intended to coincide
with the adoption of the new Commission Certification Curriculum
Manual. The amendments also differentiate between the Commission
Standards Manual and the new Commission Certification Curriculum
Manual which replaces the commission lesson plans.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
for the first five-year period the sections are in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local government
as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the sections are in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be clarification
of fee requirements for commission documents. There will be no
effect on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic
cost to persons who are required to comply with the sections
as proposed.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The amendments are proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.239.7. Fees-Standards
Manual.
(a) (No change.)
(b) Standards Manual
fees shall not be combined
with [other fees, such
as] certification fees or
renewal fees. Standards
Manual fees may be
combined with fees for
the Commission Certification
Curriculum Manual [state
lesson plans] and copying
fees.
(c) (No change.)
sec.239.9. Fees-Commission
Certification Curriculum Manual
[Lesson Plans].
(a) A fee of $30 will be charged for each [set of the]
Commission Certification Curriculum
Manual [lesson plans].
(b) Fees for the Commission
Certification Curriculum Manual
[lesson plans] shall
not be combined with
renewal fees or certification
fees. Commission Certification
Curriculum Manual [Lesson
plan] fees may be combined
with Commission Standards
Manual fees and copy
fees.
[(c) A set of commission lesson plans covers one discipline
only.]
(c) [(d)] Payment
shall be by money order,
certified check, or employing
entity check. No personal
checks will be accepted.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109024
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
Chapter 241. Examinations for Certification
37 TAC sec.sec.241.1, 241.3,
241.5, 241.7, 241.9, 241.11, 241.13, 241.15, 241.17
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes new sec.sec.241.1, 241.3, 241.5, 241.7,
241.9, 241.11, 241.13, 241.15, and 241.17, concerning examinations
for certification. The new sections are being proposed to incorporate
state testing for applicants.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
there will be fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or
administering the sections. The effect on state government for
the first five-year period the sections are in effect will be
an estimated program cost of $56,860.15 for fiscal year 1992-1996;
an increase in revenue of $18,953.38 for fiscal year 1992 and
$56,860.15 for fiscal years 1993-1996. The cost to state government
for fiscal year 1992 will be $37,906.76. There will be no cost
to the state for fiscal years 1993-1996. The effect on local
government for the first five-year period that the sections are
in effect is dependent upon local government policy. If a local
government entity chooses to employ fire protection personnel,
who have already met the training and examination requirements
of these sections, there will be no fiscal implications for that
entity. If a local government entity chooses to employ persons
as fire protection personnel who have not met the requirements
of these sections, and if the entity chooses to bear the cost
of these sections for the person, then the cost to the entity
will be a one time cost per examination, estimated to be in a
range from $50 to $100 for each person examined.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the sections as proposed are in effect the public
benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections as
proposed will be an overall improvement in the level of training
completed by fire protection personnel, resulting in an equal
improvement in the level of service provided to the public. There
will be no effect on small businesses. The economic cost to persons
who are required to comply with the section as proposed will
be dependent upon the cost of administrating the program. It
is estimated that the cost per examination would be in a range
from $50 to $100.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The new sections are Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides
the Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
with the authority to adopt rules for the administration of this
chapter and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.241.1. Effective Date.
The effective date of
this chapter shall be
April 1, 1992.
sec.241.3. Requirements-General.
(a) In order to be certified by the commission as structure
fire protection personnel, an individual must complete an approved
curriculum as required for that discipline and pass a commission
examination pertaining to that discipline.
(b) The commission examination shall consist of at least
a written test.
(c) The commission examination may also include a performance
test. If a performance test is included in the examination then
the written test and the performance test together constitute
a complete examination.
sec.241.5. Definitions.
The following words and
terms, used in this chapter,
shall have the following
meanings, unless the context
clearly indicates otherwise.
Commission-The Texas
Commission on Fire Protection
Personnel Standards and Education.
Curriculum-The competencies
established by the commission
as a minimum requirement
for certification in a
particular discipline.
Eligibility-A determination
of whether or not an
individual has met the
requirements set by the
commission and would therefore
be allowed to take a
commission examination.
Endorsement of
eligibility-A signed statement
testifying to the fact
that an individual has
met the training requirements
specified by the commission
and is qualified to take
a commission examination. An
endorsement of eligibility will
usually be provided by
the training coordinator of
an approved basic certification
school or course, however,
it may be provided by
a member of the commission
staff in certain circumstances.
Examination-A state
test administered by the
commission which an examinee
must pass as one of
the requirements for certification.
Examinee-An individual
who has met the commission
requirements and therefore qualifies
to take the commission
examination.
Field proctor-An
individual appointed by the
commission to assist the
staff proctor. The field
proctor shall work under
the supervision of a
staff proctor to administer
commission examinations.
Staff Proctor-A
member of the commission
staff who has been assigned
by the commission, the
responsibility to administer a
commission examination.
sec.241.7. Procedures.
(a) Procedures for conducting written and/or performance
examinations are determined by the commission.
(b) The commission shall prescribe the content of any
certification examination that tests the knowledge and/or skill
of the examinee concerning the discipline addressed by the examination.
(c) An individual who fails to pass a commission examination
will be given one additional opportunity to pass the examination.
After two failures, the examinee must re-qualify by repeating
the curriculum applicable to that examination.
(d) To apply for a commission examination, the designated
training coordinator of the entity providing the training must
complete that portion of the Course/School Prior Approval Submission
Form (CFP-T) pertaining to commission examinations. The CFP-T
form must be submitted to the commission at least 20 days prior
to the proposed starting date of the course. The commission will
set the time and place of the examination. A reasonable attempt
shall be made to schedule the examination as soon as possible
after the completion of the applicable course and at a place
and time agreeable to the provider of the training.
(e) If the designated coordinator of the entity providing
the training determines that the time and/or place of the examination
as set by the commission is not acceptable for good cause, he
may request the commission to reschedule or relocate the examination
providing the request is received at least 20 days prior to the
original scheduled time of the examination or the new proposed
time, whichever would result in the earliest notification. The
commission shall give all such request due consideration and
may reschedule or relocate the examination as necessary.
(f) Each examination shall be administered by a member
of the commission staff known as a staff proctor.
(g) The staff proctor may proctor the examination alone
or with the assistance of one or more additional proctors. The
additional proctors shall be known as field proctors and shall
be appointed by the commission.
(h) The staff proctor shall:
(1) ensure that the examination remains secure and is
conducted under conditions warranting honest results;
(2) collect all examination materials from any examinee
who is dismissed; and
(3) record the fact of examination on the endorsement
of eligibility and shall collect any fraudulent or questionable
endorsement.
(i) The staff or field proctor shall:
(1) monitor the examination while in progress;
(2) control entrance to and exit from the test site;
(3) permit no one in the room while the written test
is in progress except proctors, examinees, and commission staff;
(4) assign or re-assign seating; and
(5) bar admission to or dismiss any examinee who fails
to comply with any of the provisions of subsections (a) and (b)
of this section.
(j) Examination booklets, answer sheets, scratch paper
and grade roster(s) will be delivered to the staff proctor by
means specified by the commission. The staff proctor shall immediately
document any errors detected in the examination materials provided.
(k) The staff proctor shall remit to the commission all
examination booklets, answer sheets, and scratch paper in the
return container provided by the commission immediately following
the completion of the written examination.
(l) All official grading and notification shall come
from the commission. The commission staff shall inform the training
coordinator of test results in writing within 72 hours after
completion of the examination.
(m) The commission will provide one individual written
grade report to each examinee, within 20 days after the completion
of the examination. This report may be mailed to an address specified
by the examinee. If the written grade report should prove to
be undeliverable, it shall be the responsibility of the examinee
to contact the commission office to make arrangements for an
additional grade report.
sec.241.9. Eligibility.
(a) Eligibility to sit for a state examination is based,
generally, upon the examinee completing the training requirements
appropriate to that examination. However, an examination may
not be taken by one who currently holds an active certificate
from the commission in the discipline to which the examination
pertains.
(b) In order to qualify for a commission examination,
the examinee must:
(1) meet or exceed the minimum requirements set by the
commission as a prerequisite for the specified examination;
(2) possess and display upon request, at the test site,
a valid and timely endorsement of eligibility for the specific
examination sought;
(3) bring to the test site and display upon request some
identification which contains a photograph of the examinee;
(4) report on time, to the proper location; and
(5) comply with all the written and verbal instructions
of the proctor;
(c) An examinee shall not:
(1) violate any of the fraud provisions of this section;
(2) disrupt the examination;
(3) bring into the examination site any books, notes,
or other written materials related to the content of the examination;
(4) refer to, use, or possess any such written material
at the examination site;
(5) give or receive answers or communicate in any manner
with another examinee during the examination;
(6) communicate any of the contents of an examination
to another at any time;
(7) steal, copy, or in any way reproduce any part of
the examination;
(8) engage in any deceptive or fraudulent act either
during an examination or to gain admission to it; or
(9) solicit, encourage, direct, assist, or aid another
person to violate any provision of this section.
(d) An endorsement of eligibility may be issued by:
(1) a member of the commission staff;
(2) a training coordinator of an approved academy; or
(3) an individual designated by the commission.
(e) An endorsement of eligibility shall:
(1) be on a form provided by the commission; and
(2) be signed, and completed by a person eligible under
subsection (d) of this section, with a specific notation of the
training completed and examination sought;
(3) state that the examinee has met the minimum training
standards appropriate to the type of examination sought;
(4) include a date of issue;
(5) include a date of expiration which shall in no case
exceed one year from the date of issue.
(f) For any endorsement of eligibility to be or remain
valid it must:
(1) not be issued in error or based on false or incorrect
information, and, specifically, the examinee must meet the appropriate
minimum training standards; and
(2) be presented before its date of expiration.
sec.241.11. Grading.
(a) For a score to be or remain valid:
(1) the examinee must complete the answer sheet, or otherwise
record the answers, as instructed by the proctor;
(2) The endorsement of eligibility must remain valid.
(b) If performance skills are required as a part of the
examination, then the examinee must demonstrate the performance
skills as instructed by the proctor; and
(c) The minimum passing score on each written examination
shall be 70%. This means that 70% of the total possible valid
questions must be answered correctly. The commission may, at
its discretion, invalidate any question.
(d) If the commission invalidates an examination score
for any reason, it may also, at the discretion of the commission
and for good cause shown, require a retest to obtain a substitute
valid test score.
sec.241.13. Performance Skills.
If performance skills
are required as part
of a commission examination,
the performance skills portion
shall be conducted as
follows.
(1) The performance skills portion of the examination
shall consist of at least four practical skills objectives, which
must be physically demonstrated by each examinee before an examination
proctor.
(2) The practical skills objectives chosen for the examination
shall be selected from the practical skill objectives listed
in that portion of the Commission Certification Curriculum Manual,
pertaining to the discipline for which the examination is intended.
(3) The practical skills objectives shall consist of
one skill pertaining to self contained breathing apparatus and
at least three other skills which are randomly selected by the
staff proctor prior to the examination.
(4) An examinee shall not be notified of the specific
skills objectives to be tested until the time of the examination.
(5) Performance skills examination check-sheets shall
be made available by the commission office, to instructors of
approved academies to assist them in preparing the examinees
for the skills portion of a commission examination.
(6) Failure of any part of the performance skills portion
of the examination constitutes failure of the entire performance
skills portion of the examination.
(7) An examinee that fails the performance skills portion
of the examination shall be allowed one retest of the performance
skills portion, at a time and place to be determined by the staff
proctor. In no case shall a retest be conducted until after the
conclusion of the original examination.
(8) An examinee being retested on the performance skills,
shall be retested on the entire performance skills portion. No
single skill retest will be permitted.
(9) An examinee being retested on the performance skills
portion of the examination shall be tested on randomly selected
skills from the same subject areas as the original examination,
as determined by the staff proctor.
sec.241.15. Testing for
Certification Status.
(a) An individual on inactive status, (as defined in
sec. 239.3(h) of this title (relating to Fees)) for more than
one year may not renew the certificate or certificates that were
previously held.
(b) The individual may obtain a new certificate or certificates
in the discipline or disciplines which was previously held by
becoming employed to a position as defined in sec.233.5(b)(14)
of this title (relating to Fire Protection Personnel) and:
(1) passing a commission examination pertaining to the
discipline or disciplines which was previously held; or
(2) completing the current requirements, set by the commission
for the discipline or disciplines previously held, that would
be applied to an individual that had not been certified by the
commission.
sec.241.17. Testing for
Proof of Proficiency.
(a) If an individual becomes employed to a position as
defined in sec. 233.5(b)(14) of this title (relating to Fire
Protection Personnel), more than one year after passing a commission
examination pertaining to the discipline to which the individual
is assigned, the individual shall:
(1) successfully complete the current commission requirements
for certification in the discipline to which the individual is
assigned; or
(2) pass a commission proficiency examination, pertaining
to the discipline to which the individual is assigned and be
certified by the commission within the time specified for that
discipline. If the individual is employed as a structure fire
protection person, then the proficiency examination must be passed
prior to assignment to fire suppression duties.
(b) If an individual who has served a minimum of one
year in a position defined by the commission, as full-time, full-paid
fire protection personnel, in a state other than Texas or in
a branch of the military, wishes to become eligible for certification
in the state of Texas, the individual must:
(1) successfully complete the current commission requirements
for certification in the pertinent discipline; or
(2) document equivalent training to that required by
the commission for certification in the discipline in question,
document one year of full-time, full-paid service in a position
defined by the commission as fire protection personnel and pass
a commission proficiency examination, pertaining to the discipline
and be certified by the commission within the time specified
for that discipline. If the individual is employed as a structure
fire protection person, then the proficiency examination must
be passed prior to assignment to fire suppression duties.
(c) An individual who fails to pass a commission proficiency
examination will be given one additional opportunity to pass
the examination. After two failures, the examinee must re-qualify
by repeating an approved curriculum applicable to that examination.
(d) Passing the commission proficiency examination only
indicates that an individual has satisfied the training requirements
set by the commission.
(e) The employing entity must apply to the commission
for certification of all fire protection personnel, whether the
individual completes an approved curriculum or passes the commission
proficiency examination.
(f) Successfully passing the commission proficiency examination
does not prohibit the employing entity from requiring individuals
to complete training requirements set by the employing entity.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109025
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
Chapter 245. Administrative Inspections and Penalties
37 TAC sec.sec.245.1, 245.3,
245.5, 245.7, 245.9, 245.11, 245.13, 245.15, 245.17, 245.19,
245.21
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes new sec.sec.245.1, 245.3, 245.5, 245.7,
245.9, 245.11, 245.13, 245.15, 245. 17, 245.19, and 245.21, concerning
administrative inspections and penalties. This chapter is being
proposed to set standardized guidelines for violations.
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
there will be fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or
administering the sections. The effect on state government for
the first five-year period the sections are in effect will be
an estimated additional cost of $63,148.97 for fiscal years 1992-1996.
There will be an increase in revenue due to penalties access
for violations. No estimate can be made due to lack of past history
on which to base a prediction. It is logical to assume, there
will be more violations found in the first two years the sections
are in effect, and less violations in the succeeding years. The
effect on local government for the first five-year period that
the sections are in effect is dependent upon the degree to which
the local government entity complies with the Code and commission
rule. If a local government entity maintains compliance, or only
has minor violations which are corrected within 10 days, there
will be no fiscal implications for that entity. If a local government
entity is found to have committed major violations then the cost
to the entity may be $500 to $1,000 per violation or more, plus
hearing and legal fees.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each of the first
five years the sections are in effect the public benefit anticipated
as a result of enforcing the sections will be a more effective
fire service within the state, providing a greater degree of
protection to the public. There will be no effect on small businesses.
The economic cost to persons who are required to comply with
the sections as proposed may vary from $0 to more than $1,000
per violation, depending upon the degree of compliance with the
Code and commission rule.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The new sections are proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007, which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.245.1. Entity Inspections.
(a) The commission shall conduct at least biennial inspections
of the entities that fall under the regulatory authority of the
commission.
(b) The purpose of these inspections shall be to promote
safety and proficiency in the fire service by ensuring compliance
with state law and commission rules pertaining to minimum standards
for fire protection personnel education, protective clothing,
self contained breathing apparatus, or any other aspect of the
fire service regulated by the commission.
sec.245.3. Right of
Access.
(a) The commission, an inspector, or any duly authorized
representative of the commission may enter the premises of any
entity regulated by the commission at any time during normal
working hours and in such manner as not to interfere with the
conduct or operation of the entity to determine whether or not
the entity is in compliance with the Government Code (Code) and
the rules of the commission.
(b) No person shall refuse to permit, or interfere with
an inspection authorized by the Code or commission rules.
(c) Interference with, or refusal to permit an inspection
under the Code or commission rules is grounds for discipline.
(d) The commission's right of access will be enforced
through either administrative or judicial procedures as is necessary
or required.
sec.245.5. Duty to
Comply; Enforcement.
(a) An entity regulated by the commission shall have
the duty to implement and maintain compliance with the rules
and the Government Code (Code).
(b) Every regulated entity under the Code shall be given
an inspection covering the categories established by the commission.
An entity found to be in non-compliance with the Code or rules
of the commission shall be subject to warnings, fines, and other
discipline as appropriate.
sec.245.7. Procedures.
(a) The inspector shall, if possible, notify the current
or acting, on duty and available, department head of the inspector's
presence at the department and his intention to conduct a departmental
inspection.
(b) During the course of the inspection, any noncompliance
with state law or commission rule shall be noted and the severity
of the violation considered by the inspector. Violations shall
be determined to be either minor or major violations based upon
the following guidelines.
(1) Minor violations shall be defined as those violations
which the inspector determines, do not pose a serious threat
to personnel safety due to lack of personnel protection equipment
or training. Although a history of compliance exists, examples
of minor violations are:
(A) self-contained breathing apparatus records or air
quality testing records are not immediately available;
(B) training records which are inadequate or not immediately
available causing the inspector to be unable to determine compliance
with commission training requirements;
(C) protective clothing violations which the inspector
determines are not flagrant or wide spread and do not constitute
an immediate threat to personnel safety;
(D) an overall noncompliance ratio of less than 20% per
inspection unless the noncompliance is in a area defined as a
major violation.
(2) Major violations shall be defined as those violations
which in the inspector's opinion constitutes an immediate threat
to personnel safety, flagrant or repeated violations in the same
or similar areas, fraud, or obvious attempts to circumvent state
law or commission rule. Examples of major violations are:
(A) failure to conduct commission required training in
the manner prescribed by the commission;
(B) false training records indicating compliance with
commission training requirements when in fact the requirements
were not met;
(C) failure to provide, maintain, and test self contained
breathing apparatus and related equipment as required by the
commission;
(D) failure to comply with commission requirements regarding
breathing air used by fire protection personnel;
(E) false self-contained breathing apparatus records
or air quality testing records, indicating compliance with commission
requirements when in fact the requirements were not met;
(F) failure to provide protective clothing and equipment
to fire suppression personnel as required by the commission;
(G) failure to maintain protective clothing as required
by the commission with numerous or repeated violations evident;
(H) false protective clothing records indicating compliance
with commission requirements when in fact the requirements were
not met;
(I) an overall noncompliance ratio of 20% or more per
inspection;
(c) In order to determine compliance with commission
requirements pertaining to a particular item, the inspector shall:
(1) examine at least 10% of the number of that particular
item, which the department is required to possess. As an example,
if an inspector is inspecting protective clothing, the inspector
would determine the number of personnel which the department
had assigned to fire suppression and would then examine a number
of complete sets of protective clothing which would equal at
least 10% of the number of personnel assigned to fire suppression.
The same 10% Rule would apply to training records and self-contained
breathing apparatus;
(2) upon finding violations in the items inspected, of
20% or more, continue to inspect an additional 10% or more of
the items to establish the degree of noncompliance and determine
whether the violation is minor or major (see sec.245.5 of this
title (relating this section and to Duty to comply; Enforcement));
(3) upon finding no violations, complete the inspection
report and provide a copy for the department head and file the
report with the commission.
sec.245.9. Minor Violations.
If during the course
of a departmental inspection,
the inspector determines the
department has committed minor
violations, the following procedures
shall apply.
(1) The inspector shall issue a formal notice of noncompliance
identifying the findings of fact.
(2) The department then has 10 days from the date the
formal notice of noncompliance is received, to correct the violations
and come into compliance, by providing the commission with proof
of compliance.
(3) If the department comes into compliance within the
10-day time frame, the inspector will then follow up as necessary,
complete the inspection report, provide a copy for the department
head, and file the report with the commission.
(4) If the department fails to come into compliance within
the 10-day time frame, the following will occur.
(A) A $500 fine shall be assessed for each violation.
If it is determined by the commission that the same or similar
violations have occurred within a five-year period, the fine
shall be $1, 000 for each violation.
(B) The department shall be granted 20 additional days
to pay the fine and provide the commission with proof of compliance
or submit a written notice of appeal. The total time frame for
compliance or notice of appeal shall not exceed 30 days from
the date the formal notice of noncompliance is received.
(5) If the department pays the fine and comes into compliance
within the total 30-day time period, the inspector will then
follow up as necessary, complete the inspection report, provide
a copy for the department head, and file the report with the
commission.
(6) If the department fails to pay the fine and come
into compliance within the total 30-day time frame, a hearing
shall be scheduled. If determined by the hearing process:
(A) no violations occurred, all penalties and fines shall
be suspended, the inspector will complete his report, provide
a copy for the department head, and file the report with the
commission;
(B) violations occurred, the department may be:
(i) allowed extra time
to come into compliance;
(ii) assessed appropriate
penalties which may include
suspensions, fines, hearing costs,
and attorneys fees;
(iii) required to publicly
post at the department,
or other location accessible
to the public where like
or similar public notices
are posted, such as the
courthouse or municipal building,
said finds or orders,
indicating actions necessary for
compliance, for 30 continuous
days from the date the
decree is final and enforceable;
and
(iv) required to furnish
proof of compliance.
(7) At the conclusion of the hearing process, the inspector
will then follow up as necessary, complete his report, provide
a copy for the department hard, and file the report with the
commission.
sec.245.11. Major Violations.
If during the course
of a departmental inspection,
the inspector determines the
department has committed major
violations, the following procedures
shall apply.
(1) The inspector shall issue a formal notice of noncompliance
identifying the findings of fact.
(2) A $500 fine shall be assessed for each violation.
If it is determined by the commission that the same or similar
violations have occurred within a five-year period the fine shall
be $1,000 for each violation.
(3) The department then has 30 days from the date the
formal notice of noncompliance is received, to pay the fine,
correct the violations, and to provide the commission with proof
of compliance or submit written notice of appeal.
(4) If the department pays the fine and comes into compliance
within the 30-day time frame, the inspector will then follow
up as necessary, complete his report, provide a copy for the
department head, and file the report with the commission.
(5) If the department fails to pay the fine and come
into compliance within the total 30-day time frame, a hearing
shall be scheduled. If determined by the hearing process:
(A) no violations occurred, all penalties and fines shall
be suspended;
(B) violations occurred, the department may be:
(i) allowed extra time
to come into compliance;
(ii) assessed appropriate
penalties which may include
suspensions, fines, hearing cost,
and attorney fees;
(iii) required to publicly
post at the department,
or other location accessible
to the public where like
or similar public notices
are posted, such as the
courthouse or municipal building,
said findings, indicating actions
necessary for compliance, for
30 continuous days from
the day the decree is
final and enforceable; and
(iv) required to furnish
proof of compliance.
(6) At the conclusion of the hearing process, the inspector
will follow up as necessary, complete his report, provide the
department head with a copy of the report, and file a copy with
the commission.
sec.245.13. Disciplinary Hearings.
Upon the filing of
a complaint with the
commission charging a regulated
entity with a violation
of the Government Code
or commission regulations as
grounds for disciplinary action,
the commission shall provide
for a hearing of the
charges. All parties must
be afforded an opportunity
for hearing after reasonable
notice of not less than
10 days prior to the
hearing. Chapter 231 of
this title (relating to
Practice and Procedure), governs
disciplinary proceedings under
this chapter.
sec.245.15. Judicial Enforcement.
If an entity commits
three or more violations
of a similar nature within
any five-year period, proceedings
for injunctive relief, penalties,
and discipline shall be
instituted; provided, however,
that this section shall
not prohibit the commission
from resorting the judicial
enforcement for any violation
of the Government Code
or rules.
sec.245.17. Liability for
Violations. The issuance
of violation notices, fines,
and orders and the permitting
of a regulated entity
to correct deficiencies, in
no way relieves the entity
from the duty to, at
all times, remain in
complete compliance with the
Government Code or commission
rules or from the liability
it could incur from failing
to fulfill its statutory
and regulatory duties.
sec.245.19. Inspection Forms.
The executive director,
or his designee, shall
develop forms for the
inspection of records, equipment,
clothing, and facilities which
shall be on file at
the commission offices and
available for public inspections.
sec.245.21. Effective Date.
This chapter shall become
effective and enforceable on
January 1, 1992; provided,
however, that violations occurring
before the effective date
but which have not been
corrected as of that
date shall be prosecutable
under this chapter.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109026
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
Chapter 247. Adoptions by Reference
37 TAC sec.247.1
The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and
Education proposes new sec.247.1, concerning the adoption by
reference of Chapter 1, Basic Structure Fire Suppression Curriculum,
of the commission's document titled, "Commission Certification
Curriculum Manual."
K. R. Ethridge, field representative, has determined that
there will be fiscal implications as a result of enforcing or
administering the section. There will be no fiscal implications
for state government as a result of enforcing or administering
this section. The effect on local government, resulting from
enforcing these section will depend on local government policy
as follows. If a local government entity chooses to employ individuals,
as fire protection personnel, who have met the training requirements
of this section, there will be no fiscal implications for that
entity. If a local government entity chooses to employ individuals,
as fire protection personnel, who have not met the training requirements
of this section and if the entity chooses to bear the training
cost required by this section, for the individual, then the fiscal
implication for the entity will be a one time, 13% increase in
the training cost, for each new fire protection person employed.
Mr. Ethridge also has determined that for each of the first
five years the section as proposed is in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be an overall
improvement in the level of training completed by fire protection
personnel, resulting in an equal improvement in the level of
service provided to the public. There will be no effect on small
businesses. The economic cost to persons who are required to
comply with the section as proposed will be a 13% increase in
training cost due to an increase in required hours.
Comments on this proposal may be submitted to K. R. Ethridge,
Field Representative, Commission on Fire Protection, 9800 North
Lamar Boulevard, Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, (512) 837-9851.
The new section is proposed under the Government Code, Executive
Branch, Chapter 416, sec.416.007 which provides the Commission
on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education with the
authority to adopt rules for the administration of this chapter
and for the commission's internal management and control.
sec.247.1. Basic Structure
Fire Suppression Curriculum.
(a) The effective date of this section shall be April
1, 1992.
(b) The Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards
and Education adopts by reference Chapter 1, Basic Structure
Fire Suppression Curriculum, of the commission's document titled
"Commission Certification Curriculum Manual" as amended June
11, 1991.
(c) The document adopted by reference in this section
is on file in the offices of the Commission on Fire Protection
Personnel Standards and Education, 9800 North Lamar Boulevard,
Suite 160, Austin, Texas 78753, and is available for public inspection
during regular working hours. A copy of the document may be obtained
upon request and payment of the fee as specified in Chapter 239
of this title (relating to Fees).
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 1991.
TRD-9109018
K. R. Ethridge
Field Representative
Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education
Earliest possible date of adoption: September 6, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 837-9851
TITLE 40. SOCIAL SERVICES AND ASSISTANCE
Part I. Texas Department of Human Services
Chapter 10. Family Self-Support Services
Employment Services
40 TAC sec.10.2304
(Editor's Note: The
Texas Department of Human
Services proposed for permanent
adoption the amended section
it adotps on an emergency
basis in this issue.
The text of the amended
section is in the Emergency
Rules section of this
issue.)
The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes an amendment
to sec.10. 2304, concerning support services for participants
in job opportunities and basic skills (JOBS), in its Family Self-Support
Services chapter. The purpose of the amendment is to establish
a methodology by which JOBS transportation allowance limits,
established by the Texas Board of Human Services on August 2,
1990, may be adjusted appropriately. The revised rates, effective
August 1, 1991, appear in the "In Addition" section of this issue
of the Texas Register.
It has been determined
that the current transportation
allowance is insufficient to
allow individuals eligible for
and entitled to participate
in the JOBS program to
access transportation necessary
for their participation in
the program. The department
is simultaneously adopting this
amendment on an emergency
basis effective August 1,
1991, for 120 days.
Burton F. Raiford, chief financial officer, has determined
that for the first five-year period the proposed section will
be in effect there will be fiscal implications for state government
as a result of enforcing or administering the section. The effect
on state government for the first five-year period the section
will be in effect is an estimated additional cost of $15,600
in fiscal year (FY) 1991; $1,348,311 in FY 1992; $1,569,842 in
FY 1993; $1,626,257 in FY 1994; and $2,309,261 in FY 1995. There
will be no effect on local government as a result of enforcing
or administering the section.
Mr. Raiford also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the section is in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the section will be to prevent
a delay in providing sufficient reimbursement for transportation
expenses necessary for JOBS participation, thereby allowing more
clients to participate in JOBS activities helping them to gain
employment and to become self-sufficient. There will be no effect
on small businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to
persons who are required to comply with the proposed section.
Questions about the content of this proposal may be directed
to Carol Barron at (512) 450-4242 in DHS's Program Policy Section.
Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Nancy Murphy, Policy
and Document Support-194, Texas Department of Human Services
E-503, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030, within 30 days
of publication in the Texas Register.
The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code,
Title 2, Chapter 22, which authorizes the department to administer
public assistance programs.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas on July 30, 1991.
TRD-9109068
Nancy Murphy
Agency liaison, Policy and Document Support
Texas Department of Human Services
Proposed date of adoption: October 1, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 450-3765
Chapter 49. Child Protective Services
Subchapter F. Release [Expunction] Hearings
40 TAC sec.49.601, sec.49.603
The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes amendments
to sec.49. 601 and sec.49.603. The purpose of the amendments
is to change DHS's rules concerning hearings involving suspected
abuse and neglect of children. The term DHS now uses for these
hearings is "release hearings" instead of "expunction hearings."
DHS also is proposing related amendments in Chapters 79 and 85
in this issue of the Texas Register.
Burton F. Raiford, interim commissioner, has determined that
for the first five-year period the proposed amendments will be
in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local
governments or small businesses as a result of enforcing or administering
the amendments.
Mr. Raiford also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the amendments are in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be use
of current terminology in DHS's rules concerning abuse and neglect
of children. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons
who are required to comply with the proposed amendments.
Questions concerning the content of this proposal may be directed
to Paul Leche at (512) 450-3106 in DHS's Office of the General
Counsel. Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Nancy Murphy,
Agency Liaison, Policy and Document Support-181, Texas Department
of Human Services E-503, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030,
within 30 days of publication in the Texas
Register.
The amendment is proposed under the Human Resources Code,
Title 2, Chapter 22, which provides the department with the authority
to administer public assistance programs.
sec.49.601. Definitions.
The following words and
terms, when used in this
subchapter, shall have the
following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
Release
[Expunction] hearing-An administrative
hearing provided under the
Administrative Procedure and Texas
Register Act, Texas
Revised Civil Statutes, Article
[Texas Civil Statutes,
Article] 6252-13a.
sec.49.603. Appeal Process.
The appeal process is
as follows:
(1) an administrative review of the investigation findings
(ARIF). The ARIF is a necessary precondition to requesting the
administrative release [expunction]
hearing, unless the ARIF
is waived by mutual agreement
of both parties.
(A)-(C) (No change.)
(2) the release (expunction]
hearing.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 31, 1991.
TRD-9109125
Nancy Murphy
Agency Liaison, Policy and Document Support
Texas Department of Human Services
Proposed date of adoption:October 1, 1991
For further information, please call:(512) 450-3765
Chapter 79. Legal Services
Subchapter R. Release [Expunction] Hearings
40 TAC sec.sec.79.1701,
79.1702, 79.1704, 79.1709, 79.1713, and 79.1714
The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes amendments
to sec.sec.79.1701, 79.1702, 79.1704, 79.1709, 79.1713, and
79.1714, concerning release hearings in its Legal Services chapter.
The purpose of the amendments is to make minor procedural changes
to DHS's rules concerning hearings involving suspected abuse
and neglect of children. The term DHS now uses for these hearings
is "release hearings" instead of "expunction hearings." DHS also
is proposing in this issue of the Texas Register related amendments
in Chapters 49 and 85 of this title
Burton F. Raiford, interim commissioner, has determined that
for the first five-year period the sections are in effect there
will be no fiscal implications for state or local governments
as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.
Mr. Raiford also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the sections are in effect the public benefit
anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections will be simplified
procedures necessary to enable DHS to prosecute cases involving
abuse and neglect of children. There will be no effect on small
businesses. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons
who are required to comply with the proposed sections.
Questions concerning the content of the proposal may be directed
to Paul Leche at (512) 450-3106 in DHS's Office of the General
Counsel. Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Nancy Murphy,
Agency Liaison, Policy and Document Support-181, Texas Department
of Human Services E-503, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030,
within 30 days of publication in the Texas
Register.
The amendments are proposed under the Human Resources Code,
Title 2, Chapter 22, which provides the department with the authority
to administer public assistance programs.
sec.79.1701. Definitions.
The following words and
terms, when used in this
subchapter, shall have the
following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
Release
[Expunction] hearing-An opportunity
for individuals found to
have abused or neglected
a child to correct
[expunge] the abuse
or neglect finding in
the [from] official records.
sec.79.1702. Right to
a Hearing.
(a) A release [An
expunction] hearing must be
granted to any alleged
perpetrator about whom a
finding of child abuse
or neglect is to be
released without that individual's
consent.
(b) A release
[An expunction] hearing must
also be granted to any
alleged perpetrator against whom
an adverse action is
to be taken by the
department. In this and
other instances in which
the alleged perpetrator has
the right to a
release [an expunction]
hearing as well as the
right to appeal related
issues, the department, at
its discretion, may combine
the two appeals and hold
a single hearing.
sec.79.1704. Emergency Release/Use
of Data. Although abuse
or neglect data is not
usually released pending the
results of the release
[expunction] hearing, data
may be adversely used
against an alleged perpetrator
if the department determines
that he constitutes an
immediate danger to the
health or safety of children.
The evidentiary standards for
this determination are set
forth in the program
rules on which the action
is based.
sec.79.1709. Authority.
The release [expunction]
hearing is conducted pursuant
to the Administrative
Procedure and Texas Register
Act, Texas Revised Civil
Statutes, Article 6252-13a
[Texas Civil Statutes Article
6252-13a, the Administrative Procedure
and Texas Register Act].
The administrative law judge
decides whether to uphold
the abuse or neglect
finding based on the
evidence presented at the
hearing. He has no authority
to overrule state or
federal statutes, policies, or
regulations. The department has
the burden of proof.
The evidentiary standards applicable
at the hearing are the
same as those set forth
in the program rules
on which the finding
or action is based.
sec.79.1713. Prehearing Procedure.
(a)-(e) (No change.)
(f) Depositions to perpetuate
testimony.
(1) Request. When the
Texas Department of Human
Services (DHS) expects to
institute an action which
may result in an adverse
action, and DHS desires
to preserve the testimony
of any witness or other
person so that the testimony
may be used in the
course of the adverse
action or appeal, DHS's
representative may file a
request with the Hearings
Department to take the
deposition of the witness
or other person. The
request must include:
(A) a statement that
DHS expects to institute
an adverse action as
the result of an investigation
being made;
(B) a short statement
of the subject matter
of the investigation;
(C) the names and
residences, if known, or
a description of the
persons whose interest in
the matter is expected
to be adverse to DHS;
(D) the names and
addresses of the persons
to be deposed and DHS's
reasons for desiring to
perpetuate the testimony, and
(E) a request for
an order from the Hearings
Department authorizing the taking
of the deposition.
(2) Order. If satisfied
that the perpetuation of
testimony may prevent a
failure or delay of justice,
the administrative law judge
will make an order authorizing
the taking of the deposition
and will state whether
the deposition will be
taken upon oral examination
or written questions. The
time and place at which
the depositions are taken
may be stated in the
order or by means of
notice as provided for
depositions generally. The taking,
signing, returning, objections
to, and use of the
depositions are subject to
the deposition rules in
the Texas Rules of Civil
Procedure, provided that those
rules are consistent with
this section.
sec.79.1714. Evidence and
Depositions.
(a) Rules of evidence.
(1)-(3) (No change.)
(4) DHS may determine
that it is impossible
or impractical to obtain
the physical presence of
a witness in the hearing
room because of the witness'
age, illness, custodial restrictions,
or residence more than
100 miles from the site
of the hearing. Under
the following conditions, DHS
or any other party to
an administrative hearing may
apply to the presiding
administrative law judge for
permission to obtain the
testimony of these witnesses
by telephonic means:
(A) Application for permission
to secure testimony by
telephonic means must be
made and the other parties
to the action must be
notified of the application
at least 10 days prior
to the date of the
hearing. The application must
state the reasons for
the request.
(B) The presiding administrative
law judge must rule on
the application at least
five days prior to the
hearing date to determine
whether good cause exists
to permit testimony to
be obtained by telephone.
If the administrative law
judge finds that good
cause exists, he will
immediately advise the parties.
The testimony may be
taken under the following
conditions.
(i) The hearing
room must be equipped
with a speaker phone
or other telephonic equipment
which will enable all
parties, including the administrative
law judge and court reporter,
to hear the statements
of the absent witness
simultaneously and which will
permit the absent witness
to hear all of the
parties and the administrative
law judge.
(ii) The witness
must be sworn and his
testimony taken as if
he were physically present
in the hearing chamber.
(b)-(f) (No change.)
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 31, 1991.
TRD-9109120
Nancy Murphy
Agency liaison, Policy and Document Support
Texas Department of Human Services
Proposed date of adoption: October 1, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 450-3765
Chapter 85. General Licensing Procedures
Subchapter OO. Appeals of Licensing Staff Decisions
The Texas Department of Human Services (DHS) proposes the
repeal of sec.85. 4050, new sec.85.4050, and amendments to
sec.sec.85.4013, 85.4021, and 85.4051 through 85.4057, concerning
rules of evidence in its General Licensing Procedures chapter.
The purpose of the repealed, new, and amended sections is to
make minor procedural changes to DHS's rules concerning hearings
involving suspected abuse and neglect of children. The term DHS
now uses for these hearings is "release hearings" instead of
"expunction hearings." DHS also is proposing related amendments
in Chapters 49 and 79 of this title in this issue of the
Texas Register.
Burton F. Raiford, interim commissioner, has determined that
for the first five-year period the repeal and sections are in
effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local
governments or small businesses as a result of enforcing or administering
the repeal sections.
Mr. Raiford also has determined that for each year of the
first five years the repeal and sections are in effect the public
benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the repeal and sections
will be simplified procedures for prosecuting cases involving
abuse and neglect of children. There is no anticipated economic
cost to persons who are required to comply with the repeal and
sections as proposed.
Questions concerning the content of the proposal may be directed
to Paul Leche at (512) 450-3106 in DHS's Office of the General
Counsel. Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Nancy Murphy,
Agency Liaison, Policy and Document Support-181, Texas Department
of Human Services E-503, P.O. Box 149030, Austin, Texas 78714-9030,
within 30 days of publication in the Texas
Register.
40 TAC sec.85.4013, sec.85.4021
The amendments are proposed under the Human Resources Code,
Title 2, Chapter 22, which provides the department with the authority
to administer public assistance programs.
sec.85.4013. Rules of
Evidence.
(a)-(c) (No change.)
(d) Judicially known facts
and telephonic testimony may
be recognized as follows:
(1) Official notice
may be taken of all
facts judicially known. Also,
notice may be taken of
generally recognized facts within
the area of the department's
specialized knowledge. Parties
must be notified either
before or during the
hearing, or by reference
in preliminary reports or
otherwise, of the material
officially noticed, including any
staff memoranda or data.
Parties must be given
an opportunity to contest
[the] material officially
[so] noticed. The
special skills or knowledge
of the department staff
may be used in evaluating
the evidence.
(2) DHS may determine
that it is impossible
or impractical to obtain
the physical presence of
a witness in the hearing
room because of the witness'
age, illness, custodial restrictions,
or residence more than
100 miles from the site
of the hearing. Under
the following conditions, DHS
or any other party to
an administrative hearing may
apply to the presiding
adminis- trative law judge
for permission to obtain
the testimony of these
witnesses by telephonic means:
(A) Application for permission
to secure testimony by
telephonic means must be
made and the other parties
to the action must be
notified of the application
at least 10 days prior
to the date of the
hearing. The application must
state the reasons for
the request.
(B) The presiding administrative
law judge must rule on
the application at least
five days prior to the
hearing date to determine
whether good cause exists
to permit testimony to
be obtained by telephone.
If the administrative law
judge finds that good
cause exists, he will
immediately advise the parties.
The testimony may be
taken under the following
conditions.
(i) The hearing
room must be equipped
with a speaker phone
or other telephonic equipment
which will enable all
parties, including the administrative
law judge and court reporter,
to hear the statements
of the absent witness
simultaneously and which will
permit the absent witness
to hear all of the
parties and the administrative
law judge.
(ii) The witness
must be sworn and his
testimony taken as if
he were physically present
in the hearing chamber.
(e)-(j) (No change.)
(k) Depositions to perpetuate
testimony are as follows.
(1) Request. When
the Texas Department of
Human Services (DHS) expects
to institute an action
which may result in an
adverse action, and DHS
desires to preserve the
testimony of any witness
or other person so that
the testimony may be
used in the course of
the adverse action or
appeal, DHS's representative may
file a request with the
Hearings Department to take
the deposition of the
witness or other person.
The request must include:
(A) a statement that
DHS expects to institute
an adverse action as
the result of an investigation
being made;
(B) a short statement
of the subject matter
of the investigation;
(C) the names and
residences, if known, or
a description of the
persons whose interest in
the matter is expected
to be adverse to DHS;
(D) the names and
addresses of the persons
to be deposed and DHS's
reasons for desiring to
perpetuate the testimony, and
(E) a request for
an order from the Hearings
Department authorizing the taking
of the deposition.
(2) Order. If satisfied
that the perpetuation of
testimony may prevent a
failure or delay of justice,
the administrative law judge
will make an order authorizing
the taking of the deposition
and will state whether
the deposition will be
taken upon oral examination
or written questions. The
time and place at which
the depositions are taken
may be stated in the
order or by means of
notice as provided for
depositions generally. The taking,
signing, returning, objections
to, and use of the
depositions are subject to
the deposition rules in
the Texas Rules of Civil
Procedure, provided that those
rules are consistent with
this section.
sec.85.4021. Appeal Hearing
General Procedures.
(a) (No change.)
(b) For hearings on licenses or certifications only,
the following apply:
(1)-(2) (No change.)
(3) If an adverse
action against a licensed
or certified facility involves
also an issue of the
appropriateness of an allegation
of child abuse or neglect
and is also the subject
of an appeal from an
anticipated release of CANRIS
information, the administrative
law judge must hear the
issue of the appropriateness
of the release of CANRIS
information and the accuracy
of the CANRIS category
at the same time that
the panel considers the
adverse action on the
license or certification. However,
the judge's consideration and
determination must be made
separately from the panel's
findings on the issues
submitted to them for
consideration, even though the
subject matter may partly
or wholly overlap. If
there is a conflict in
the findings of the panel
and the administrative law
judge on these issues,
the review committee is
responsible for reconciling the
conflict.
(c) For hearings on registrations only, the following
apply:
(1)-(3) (No change.)
(4) If an adverse
action against a registered
family home is based
upon an allegation of
child abuse or neglect
and the adverse action
is also the subject of
an appeal from an anticipated
release of CANRIS information,
the administrative law judge
must hear both issues
in the same hearing.
The judge's judgement must
reflect a determination on
the issues of revocation,
the appropriateness of the
release of CANRIS information,
and the accuracy of the
CANRIS category of entry.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 31, 1991.
TRD-9109121
Nancy Murphy
Agency Liaison, Policy and Document Support
Texas Department of Human Services
Proposed date of adoption: October 1, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 450-3765
Subchapter PP. Release [Expunction] Hearings
40TAC sec.85.4050
(Editor's Note: The
text of the following
section proposed for repeal
will not be published.
The section may be examined
in the offices of the
Texas Department of Human
Services or in the Texas
Register office, Room 245,
James Earl Rudder Building,
1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)
The repeal is proposed under the Human Resources Code, Title
2, Chapter 22, which provides the department with the authority
to administer public assistance programs.
sec.85.4050. Expunction Hearings.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 31, 1991.
TRD-9109122
Nancy Murphy
Agency Liaison, Policy and Document Support
Texas Department of Human Services
Proposed date of adoption: October 1, 1991
For further information, please call:(512) 450-3765
The new section is proposed under the Human Resources Code,
Title 2, Chapter 22, which provides the department with the authority
to administer public assistance programs.
sec.85.4050. Release Hearings.
Release of information
hearings provide individuals found
to have abused or neglected
a child an opportunity
to correct the abuse
or neglect finding in
official records. A release
hearing must be granted
to any alleged perpetrator
about whom a finding
of child abuse or neglect
is to be released without
that individual's consent. A
release hearing must also
be granted to any alleged
perpetrator against whom an
adverse action is to
be taken by the Texas
Department of Human Services
(DHS). In this and other
instances in which the
alleged perpetrator has the
right to a release hearing
as well as the right
to appeal related issues,
DHS, at its discretion,
may combine the two appeals
and hold a single hearing.
This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed
by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's authority
to adopt.
Issued in Austin, Texas, on July 31, 1991.
TRD-9109123
Nancy Murphy
Agency Liaison, Policy and Document Support
Texas Department of Human Services
Proposed date of adoption: October 1, 1991
For further information, please call: (512) 450-3765
40 TAC sec.sec.85.4051-85.4057
The amendments are proposed under the Human Resources Code,
Title 2, Chapter 22, which provides the department with the authority
to administer public assistance programs.
sec.85.4051. Emergency Release
and Use of Information.
(a) Usually, abuse or neglect information is not released
pending the results of a release
[an expunction] hearing.
However, information may be
released to the employer
if the department determines
that the presence of
the alleged perpetrator constitutes
an immediate threat or
danger to the health,
safety, or welfare of
the children.
(b) (No change.)
(c) A release
[An expunction] hearing must
be offered even if the
information is released on
an emergency basis.
sec.85.4052. Release
[Expunction] Hearing for
a Facility Employee.
When the alleged perpetrator
is the employee of a
facility, including an unlicensed
or unregistered facility that
is subject to regulation
[, ] and including a
facility making application, DHS
sends the alleged perpetrator
a notice including:
(1)-(5) (No change.)
sec.85.4053. Request for
a Release [an
Expunction] Hearing from a
Facility Employee. If the
alleged perpetrator wants to
appeal, he must file
a written request for
a hearing. The request
must be postmarked within
15 days after receiving
the official notice of
the findings from the
department.
sec.85.4054. Conduct of
Release [Expunction]
Hearings.
(a) The administrative law judge conducts the release
[expunc- tion] hearing
of facility operators and
employees in accordance with
Chapter 79, Subchapter R
of this title (relating
to Release [Expunction]
Hearings). When a licensee,
registrant, or applicant and
an employee are determined
to be alleged perpetrators,
and the findings are
the basis, in whole or
in part, for adverse
action, the release
[expunction] process for
each person is handled
separately.
(b) The administrative law judge conducts day care licensing
or registration appeals and release
[expunction] hearings in accordance
with Subchapter OO of
this chapter (relating to
Appeals of Licensing Staff
Decisions) and Chapter 79,
Subchapter R. Exception: In
the event of conflicting
time frames, DHS uses
those set forth in Subchapter
OO.
(c) The administrative law judge conducts residential
child care licensing appeals and release
[expunction] hearings in accordance
with Subchapter OO and
Chapter 79, Subchapter R.
Exception: In the event
of conflicting time frames,
DHS uses those set forth
in Subchapter OO.
sec.85.4055. Request for
a Release [an
Expunction] Hearing by an
Operator of an Unlicensed
or Unregistered Facility Subject
to Regulation. If
the alleged perpetrator is
the operator of an unregulated
facility which is subject
to regulation, and the
facility is not an applicant,
DHS notifies the person
of :
(1)-(2) (No change.)
(3) his right to request a release
[an expunction] hearing
and to whom to address
the request; and
(4) the requirement that any request for a
release [an expunction]
hearing must be postmarked
within 15 days after
the person received the
official notice of findings
from the department.
sec.85.4056. Request for
a Release [an
Expunction] Hearing by a
Licensee, Registrant, or Applicant.
(a) If a license or registration is denied or revoked,
based wholly or partly on the abuse or neglect finding, the licensee,
registrant, or applicant has 30 days to request an appeal of
the denial or revocation and a release
[an expunction] hearing.
(b) DHS advises the licensee, registrant, or applicant
that the appeal of the denial or revocation, if chosen, and the
release [expunction]
hearing, if chosen, must
be requested within 30
days following receipt of
the notification whether he
chooses to make either
or both requests.
sec.85.4057. Release
[Expunction] of Findings
of Child Protective Services.