CHAPTER 1001. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
TITLE 12. HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH
CHAPTER 1001. DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 1001.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.
(2) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of state health
services.
(3) "Council" means the State Health Services Council.
(4) "Department" means the Department of State Health Services.
(5) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of
the Health and Human Services Commission.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.002. AGENCY. The department is an agency of the
state.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.003. SUNSET PROVISION. The Department of State Health
Services is subject to Chapter 325, Government Code (Texas Sunset
Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter,
the department is abolished and this chapter expires September 1,
2013.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
928, Sec. 3.03, eff. June 15, 2007.
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., 1st C.S., Ch.
2, Sec. 2.09, eff. July 10, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER B. ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Sec. 1001.021. STATE HEALTH SERVICES COUNCIL. (a) The State
Health Services Council is created to assist the commissioner in
developing rules and policies for the department.
(b) The council is composed of nine members of the public
appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the
senate. To be eligible for appointment to the council, a person
must have demonstrated an interest in and knowledge of problems
and available services related to public health, mental health,
or substance abuse.
(c) The council shall study and make recommendations to the
executive commissioner and the commissioner regarding the
management and operation of the department, including policies
and rules governing the delivery of services to persons who are
served by the department and the rights and duties of persons who
are served or regulated by the department.
(d) Chapter 551, Government Code, applies to the council.
(e) Chapter 2110, Government Code, does not apply to the
council.
(f) A majority of the members of the council constitute a quorum
for the transaction of business.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.022. APPOINTMENTS. (a) Appointments to the council
shall be made without regard to the race, color, disability, sex,
religion, age, or national origin of the appointees.
(b) Appointments to the council shall be made so that each
geographic area of the state is represented on the council.
Notwithstanding Subsection (a), appointments to the council must
reflect the ethnic diversity of this state.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.023. TRAINING PROGRAM FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS. (a) A
person who is appointed as a member of the council may not vote,
deliberate, or be counted as a member in attendance at a meeting
of the council until the person completes a training program that
complies with this section.
(b) The training program must provide the person with
information regarding:
(1) the legislation that created the department and the council;
(2) the programs operated by the department;
(3) the role and functions of the department and the council,
including detailed information regarding:
(A) the division of authority and of responsibility between the
commissioner and the executive commissioner; and
(B) the advisory responsibilities of the council;
(4) the rules of the executive commissioner applicable to the
department, with an emphasis on the rules that relate to
disciplinary and investigatory authority;
(5) the current budget for the department;
(6) the results of the most recent formal audit of the
department;
(7) the requirements of:
(A) the open meetings law, Chapter 551, Government Code;
(B) the public information law, Chapter 552, Government Code;
(C) the administrative procedure law, Chapter 2001, Government
Code; and
(D) other laws relating to public officials, including
conflict-of-interest laws; and
(8) any applicable ethics policies adopted by the executive
commissioner or the Texas Ethics Commission.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.024. TERMS. (a) Council members serve for staggered
six-year terms with the terms of three members expiring February
1 of each odd-numbered year.
(b) A member of the council may not serve more than two
consecutive full terms as a council member.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.025. VACANCY. The governor by appointment shall fill
the unexpired term of a vacancy on the council.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.026. PRESIDING OFFICER; OTHER OFFICERS; MEETINGS. (a)
The governor shall designate a member of the council as the
presiding officer to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of
the governor.
(b) The members of the council shall elect any other necessary
officers.
(c) The council shall meet quarterly and at other times at the
call of the presiding officer. The council may hold meetings in
different areas of the state.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.027. REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. A council member may
not receive compensation for service as a member of the council
but is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses incurred by
the member while conducting the business of the council as
provided by the General Appropriations Act.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.028. PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION AND COMPLAINTS. (a)
The commissioner, with the advice of the council, shall prepare
information of public interest describing the functions of the
department and the procedures by which complaints are filed with
and resolved by the department. The commission shall make the
information available to the public and appropriate state
governmental entities.
(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish methods
by which consumers and service recipients are notified of the
name, mailing address, and telephone number of the department for
directing complaints to the department.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.029. PUBLIC ACCESS AND TESTIMONY. (a) The
commissioner shall develop and implement policies that provide
the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the
commissioner and to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction of
the department.
(b) The commissioner shall grant an opportunity for a public
hearing before the council makes recommendations to the
commissioner regarding a substantive rule if a public hearing is
requested by:
(1) at least 25 persons;
(2) a governmental entity; or
(3) an association with at least 25 members.
(c) The executive commissioner shall consider fully all written
and oral submissions about a proposed rule.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.030. POLICYMAKING AND MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES.
The commissioner, with the advice of the council and subject to
the approval of the executive commissioner, shall develop and the
department shall implement policies that clearly delineate the
policymaking responsibilities of the executive commissioner from
the management responsibilities of the commission, the
commissioner, and the staff of the department.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.031. ANNUAL REPORT. (a) The commissioner shall file
annually with the governor, the presiding officer of each house
of the legislature, and the executive commissioner a complete and
detailed written report accounting for all funds received and
disbursed by the department during the preceding fiscal year.
(b) The annual report must be in the form and be reported in the
time provided by the General Appropriations Act.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.032. OFFICES. The department shall maintain its
central office in Austin. The department may maintain offices in
other areas of the state as necessary.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.033. REPORT TO SECRETARY OF STATE. (a) In this
section, "colonia" means a geographic area that:
(1) is an economically distressed area as defined by Section
17.921, Water Code;
(2) is located in a county any part of which is within 62 miles
of an international border; and
(3) consists of 11 or more dwellings that are located in close
proximity to each other in an area that may be described as a
community or neighborhood.
(b) To assist the secretary of state in preparing the report
required under Section 405.021, Government Code, the commissioner
on a quarterly basis shall provide a report to the secretary of
state detailing any projects funded by the department that
provide assistance to colonias.
(c) The report must include:
(1) a description of any relevant projects;
(2) the location of each project;
(3) the number of colonia residents served by each project;
(4) the exact amount spent or the anticipated amount to be spent
on each colonia served by each project;
(5) a statement of whether each project is completed and, if
not, the expected completion date of the project; and
(6) any other information, as determined appropriate by the
secretary of state.
(d) The commission shall require an applicant for funds
administered by the commission to submit to the commission a
colonia classification number, if one exists, for each colonia
that may be served by the project proposed in the application.
If a colonia does not have a classification number, the
commission may contact the secretary of state or the secretary of
state's representative to obtain the classification number. On
request of the commission, the secretary of state or the
secretary of state's representative shall assign a classification
number to the colonia.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
828, Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2005.
Amended by:
Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.
341, Sec. 16, eff. June 15, 2007.
SUBCHAPTER C. PERSONNEL
Sec. 1001.051. COMMISSIONER. (a) The executive commissioner
shall appoint a commissioner of the department with the approval
of the governor. The commissioner is to be selected according to
education, training, experience, and demonstrated ability.
(b) The commissioner serves at the pleasure of the executive
commissioner.
(c) Subject to the control of the executive commissioner, the
commissioner shall act as the department's chief administrative
officer and as a liaison between the department and commission.
(d) The commissioner shall administer this chapter under
operational policies established by the executive commissioner
and in accordance with the memorandum of understanding under
Section 531.0055(k), Government Code, between the commissioner
and the executive commissioner, as adopted by rule.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.052. PERSONNEL. (a) The department may employ,
compensate, and prescribe the duties of personnel necessary and
suitable to administer this chapter.
(b) The executive commissioner shall prepare and by rule adopt
personnel standards.
(c) A personnel position may be filled only by an individual
selected and appointed on a nonpartisan merit basis.
(d) The commissioner, with the advice of the council, shall
develop and the department shall implement policies that clearly
define the responsibilities of the staff of the department.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.053. INFORMATION ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF
CONDUCT. The commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall
provide to department employees, as often as necessary,
information regarding the requirements for employment under this
chapter or rules adopted by the executive commissioner, including
information regarding a person's responsibilities under
applicable laws relating to standards of conduct for state
employees.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.054. MERIT PAY. Subject to rules adopted by the
executive commissioner, the commissioner or the commissioner's
designee shall develop a system of annual performance
evaluations. All merit pay for department employees must be given
under the system established under this section or under rules
adopted by the executive commissioner.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.055. CAREER LADDER. The commissioner or the
commissioner's designee shall develop an intra-agency career
ladder program. The program must require intra-agency postings of
all nonentry-level positions concurrently with any public
posting.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.056. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY. (a)
Subject to rules adopted by the executive commissioner, the
commissioner or the commissioner's designee shall prepare and
maintain a written policy statement that implements a program of
equal employment opportunity to ensure that all personnel
decisions are made without regard to race, color, disability,
sex, religion, age, or national origin.
(b) Unless the following are included in a policy statement
adopted by the executive commissioner that is applicable to the
department, the policy statement must include:
(1) personnel policies, including policies relating to
recruitment, evaluation, selection, training, and promotion of
personnel, that show the intent of the department to avoid the
unlawful employment practices described by Chapter 21, Labor
Code; and
(2) an analysis of the extent to which the composition of the
department's personnel is in accordance with state and federal
law and a description of reasonable methods to achieve compliance
with state and federal law.
(c) The policy statement must be:
(1) updated annually;
(2) reviewed by the state Commission on Human Rights for
compliance with Subsection (b)(1); and
(3) filed with the governor's office.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
SUBCHAPTER D. POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT
Sec. 1001.071. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT RELATED
TO HEALTH CARE. The department is responsible for administering
human services programs regarding the public health, including:
(1) implementing the state's public health care delivery
programs under the authority of the department;
(2) administering state health facilities, hospitals, and health
care systems;
(3) developing and providing health care services, as directed
by law;
(4) providing for the prevention and control of communicable
diseases;
(5) providing public education on health-related matters, as
directed by law;
(6) compiling and reporting health-related information, as
directed by law;
(7) acting as the lead agency for implementation of state
policies regarding the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome and administering programs related to
the human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome;
(8) investigating the causes of injuries and methods of
prevention;
(9) administering a grant program to provide appropriated money
to counties, municipalities, public health districts, and other
political subdivisions for their use to provide or pay for
essential public health services;
(10) administering the registration of vital statistics;
(11) licensing, inspecting, and enforcing regulations regarding
health facilities, other than long-term care facilities regulated
by the Department of Aging and Disability Services;
(12) implementing established standards and procedures for the
management and control of sanitation and for health protection
measures;
(13) enforcing regulations regarding radioactive materials;
(14) enforcing regulations regarding food, bottled and vended
drinking water, drugs, cosmetics, and health devices;
(15) enforcing regulations regarding food service
establishments, retail food stores, mobile food units, and
roadside food vendors; and
(16) enforcing regulations controlling hazardous substances in
households and workplaces.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.0711. SCHOOL HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) The
commission by rule shall establish a School Health Advisory
Committee at the department to provide assistance to the council
in establishing a leadership role for the department in support
for and delivery of coordinated school health programs and school
health services.
(b) The committee shall include at least:
(1) one representative from the Department of Agriculture,
appointed by the commissioner of agriculture; and
(2) one representative from the Texas Education Agency,
appointed by the commissioner of education.
(c) Section 2110.008, Government Code, does not apply to a
committee created under this section.
Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.
784, Sec. 9, eff. June 17, 2005.
Sec. 1001.072. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT RELATED
TO MENTAL HEALTH. The department is responsible for
administering human services programs regarding mental health,
including:
(1) administering and coordinating mental health services at the
local and state level;
(2) operating the state's mental health facilities; and
(3) inspecting, licensing, and enforcing regulations regarding
mental health facilities, other than long-term care facilities
regulated by the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.073. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES OF DEPARTMENT RELATED
TO SUBSTANCE ABUSE. The department is responsible for
administering human services programs regarding substance abuse,
including:
(1) administering, coordinating, and contracting for the
delivery of substance abuse prevention and treatment programs at
the state and local level;
(2) inspecting, licensing, and enforcing regulations regarding
substance abuse treatment facilities; and
(3) providing public education on substance abuse issues, as
directed by law.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.074. INFORMATION REGARDING COMPLAINTS. (a) The
department shall maintain a file on each written complaint filed
with the department. The file must include:
(1) the name of the person who filed the complaint;
(2) the date the complaint is received by the department;
(3) the subject matter of the complaint;
(4) the name of each person contacted in relation to the
complaint;
(5) a summary of the results of the review or investigation of
the complaint; and
(6) an explanation of the reason the file was closed, if the
department closed the file without taking action other than to
investigate the complaint.
(b) The department shall provide to the person filing the
complaint and to each person who is a subject of the complaint a
copy of the executive commissioner's and the department's
policies and procedures relating to complaint investigation and
resolution.
(c) The department, at least quarterly until final disposition
of the complaint, shall notify the person filing the complaint
and each person who is a subject of the complaint of the status
of the investigation unless the notice would jeopardize an
undercover investigation.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.075. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt
rules reasonably necessary for the department to administer this
chapter, consistent with the memorandum of understanding under
Section 531.0055(k), Government Code, between the commissioner
and the executive commissioner, as adopted by rule.
Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.09.
Sec. 1001.076. MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FOR VETERANS. (a) In this
section, "veteran" means a person who:
(1) has served in:
(A) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or marine corps of
the United States;
(B) the state military forces as defined by Section 431.001,
Government Code; or
(C) an auxiliary service of one of those branches of the armed
forces; and
(2) has been honorably discharged from the branch of the service
in which the person served.
(b) The department shall develop a mental health intervention
program for veterans. The program must provide for peer-to-peer
counseling.
(c) The department shall solicit and train volunteers to provide
the peer-to-peer counseling.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
525, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.
SUBCHAPTER F. TEXAS MEDICAL CHILD ABUSE RESOURCES AND EDUCATION
SYSTEM (MEDCARES)
Text of subchapter effective on September 1, 2009, but only if a
specific appropriation is provided as described by Acts 2009,
81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 1238, Sec. 7(f), which states: This section
does not make an appropriation. This section takes effect only if
a specific appropriation for the implementation of the section is
provided in a general appropriations act of the 81st Legislature.
Sec. 1001.151. TEXAS MEDICAL CHILD ABUSE RESOURCES AND EDUCATION
SYSTEM GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The department shall establish the
Texas Medical Child Abuse Resources and Education System
(MEDCARES) grant program to award grants for the purpose of
developing and supporting regional programs to improve the
assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of child abuse and neglect
as described by the report submitted to the 80th Legislature by
the committee on pediatric centers of excellence relating to
abuse and neglect in accordance with Section 266.0031, Family
Code, as added by Chapter 1406 (S.B. 758), Acts of the 80th
Legislature, Regular Session, 2007.
(b) The department may award grants to hospitals or academic
health centers with expertise in pediatric health care and a
demonstrated commitment to developing basic and advanced programs
and centers of excellence for the assessment, diagnosis, and
treatment of child abuse and neglect.
(c) The department shall encourage collaboration among grant
recipients in the development of program services and activities.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1238, Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 1001.152. USE OF GRANT. A grant awarded under this
subchapter may be used to support:
(1) comprehensive medical evaluations, psychosocial assessments,
treatment services, and written and photographic documentation of
abuse;
(2) education and training for health professionals, including
physicians, medical students, resident physicians, child abuse
fellows, and nurses, relating to the assessment, diagnosis, and
treatment of child abuse and neglect;
(3) education and training for community agencies involved with
child abuse and neglect, law enforcement officials, child
protective services staff, and children's advocacy centers
involved with child abuse and neglect;
(4) medical case reviews and consultations and testimony
regarding those reviews and consultations;
(5) research, data collection, and quality assurance activities,
including the development of evidence-based guidelines and
protocols for the prevention, evaluation, and treatment of child
abuse and neglect;
(6) the use of telemedicine and other means to extend services
from regional programs into underserved areas; and
(7) other necessary activities, services, supplies, facilities,
and equipment as determined by the department.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1238, Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 1001.153. MEDCARES ADVISORY COMMITTEE. The executive
commissioner shall establish an advisory committee to advise the
department and the executive commissioner in establishing rules
and priorities for the use of grant funds awarded through the
program. The advisory committee is composed of the following
nine members:
(1) the state Medicaid director or the state Medicaid director's
designee;
(2) the medical director for the Department of Family and
Protective Services or the medical director's designee; and
(3) as appointed by the executive commissioner:
(A) two pediatricians with expertise in child abuse or neglect;
(B) a nurse with expertise in child abuse or neglect;
(C) a representative of a pediatric residency training program;
(D) a representative of a children's hospital;
(E) a representative of a children's advocacy center; and
(F) a member of the Governor's EMS and Trauma Advisory Council.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1238, Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 1001.154. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The department may solicit and
accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private
source for the purposes of this subchapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1238, Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 1001.155. REQUIRED REPORT. Not later than December 1 of
each even-numbered year, the department, with the assistance of
the advisory committee established under this subchapter, shall
submit a report to the governor and the legislature regarding the
grant activities of the program and grant recipients, including
the results and outcomes of grants provided under this
subchapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1238, Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 1001.156. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt
rules as necessary to implement this subchapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1238, Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2009.
Sec. 1001.157. APPROPRIATION REQUIRED. The department is not
required to award a grant under this subchapter unless the
department is specifically appropriated money for purposes of
this subchapter.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.
1238, Sec. 7(a), eff. September 1, 2009.