The following information was obtained from the May 25 issue of the Texas Register:
- On DADS’ Behalf
HHSC adopted amendments to §19.101, Definitions, and §19.1601, Infection Control, in Chapter 19, Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification. The new rules require NFs to develop policies for employee and contractor vaccinations to protect residents from vaccine-preventable diseases. See the Texas Register for details.
HHSC adopted amendments to §90.3, Definitions, and §90.42, Standards for Facilities Serving Persons with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions; new §90.43, Administration of Medication; and new §90.329, Vaccine Preventable Disease, in Chapter 90, Intermediate Care Facilities for Persons with an Intellectual Disability or Related Conditions. The changes implement provisions of SB 185, which added rules allowing an unlicensed person to give medication to an ICF/IP resident under certain circumstances. For more information, see the Texas Register.
Finally, HHSC adopted amendments to Subchapter A, §92.2, Definitions; Subchapter C, §92.41, Standards for Type A and type B Assisted Living Facilities; and Subchapter H, Division 9, §92.551, Administrative Penalties, in Chapter 92, Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities. Among other things, the new rules allow an AL to proactively submit documents to DADS to waive the requirement to discharge an inappropriately placed resident. See the Texas Register for more information.