Title GV, Government Code

Sec. 522.0002. ACCEPTANCE OF CERTAIN GIFTS AND GRANTS BY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY. (a) Subject to the executive commissioner's written approval, a health and human services agency may accept a gift or grant of money, drugs, equipment, or any other item of value from a pha…

Sec. 522.0051. NEGOTIATION AND REVIEW OF CERTAIN CONTRACTS FOR HEALTH CARE PURPOSES. (a) This section applies to a contract with a contract amount of $250 million or more: (1) under which a person will provide goods or services in connection with the provision of medical or healt…

Sec. 522.0052. PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR CONTRACTED SERVICES PROVIDED TO INDIVIDUALS WITH LIMITED ENGLISH PROFICIENCY. (a) This section does not apply to 2-1-1 services provided by the Texas Information and Referral Network. (b) Each contract with the commission or a health and h…

Sec. 522.0101. SHARING OF DATA RELATED TO CERTAIN GENERAL REVENUE FUNDED PROGRAMS. To the extent permitted under federal law and notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 191 or 192, Health and Safety Code, the commission and other health and human services agencies shall share da…

Sec. 522.0151. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "least restrictive setting" means a service setting for an individual that, in comparison to other available service settings: (1) is most able to meet the individual's identified needs; (2) prioritizes a home and community-based car…

Sec. 522.0152. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER TO CERTAIN STATE ENTITIES. This subchapter applies to the following state entities: (1) the commission; (2) the Department of Family and Protective Services; (3) the Department of State Health Services; (4) the Texas Education Agency; (5…

Sec. 522.0153. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING REQUIRED. The state entities to which this subchapter applies shall enter into a joint memorandum of understanding to promote a system of local-level interagency staffing groups for the identification and coordination of services for ind…

Sec. 522.0154. DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. (a) The division within the commission that coordinates the policy for and delivery of mental health services shall oversee the development and implementation of the memorandum of understanding required…

Sec. 522.0155. CONTENTS OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. The memorandum of understanding required by this subchapter must: (1) clarify the statutory responsibilities of each state entity to which this subchapter applies in relation to individuals needing multiagency services, incl…

Sec. 522.0156. ADOPTION OF MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING; REVISIONS. Each state entity to which this subchapter applies shall adopt the memorandum of understanding required by this subchapter and all revisions to the memorandum. The entities shall develop revisions as necessary to …

Sec. 522.0157. STATE-LEVEL INTERAGENCY STAFFING GROUP DUTIES; BIENNIAL REPORT. The state entities to which this subchapter applies shall ensure that a state-level interagency staffing group provides: (1) information and guidance to local-level interagency staffing groups regardin…

Sec. 522.0201. DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "agency" means the commission or a health and human services agency. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.

Sec. 522.0202. ADDITIONAL APPLICABILITY TO CERTAIN ADVISORY BODIES. (a) The requirements of this subchapter also apply to the meetings of any advisory body that advises the executive commissioner or an agency. (b) The archived video and audio recording of an advisory body's meeti…

Sec. 522.0203. INTERNET BROADCAST AND ARCHIVE OF OPEN MEETING. (a) An agency shall: (1) broadcast over the Internet live video and audio of each open meeting of the agency; (2) make a video and audio recording of reasonable quality of the broadcast; and (3) provide access to the …

Sec. 522.0204. INTERNET NOTICE OF OPEN MEETING. An agency shall provide on the agency's Internet website the same notice of an open meeting that the agency is required to post under Subchapter C, Chapter 551. The notice must be posted within the time required for posting notice u…

Sec. 522.0205. EXEMPTION UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. An agency is exempt from the requirements of this subchapter to the extent a catastrophe, as defined by Section 551.0411, or a technical breakdown prevents the agency from complying with this subchapter. Following the catastro…

Sec. 522.0206. CONTRACTING AUTHORIZED. The commission shall consider contracting through competitive bidding with a private individual or entity to broadcast and archive an open meeting subject to this subchapter to minimize the cost of complying with this subchapter. Added by Ac…

Sec. 522.0251. LEASE OR SUBLEASE OF CERTAIN OFFICE SPACE. (a) A health and human services agency, with the commission's approval, or the Texas Workforce Commission or any other state agency that administers employment services programs may lease or sublease office space to a priv…

Sec. 522.0252. ASSUMPTION OF LEASE FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF INTEGRATED ENROLLMENT SERVICES INITIATIVE. (a) A health and human services agency, with the commission's approval, or the Texas Workforce Commission or any other state agency that administers employment services programs ma…

Sec. 522.0253. PREREQUISITES FOR ESTABLISHING NEW HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES FACILITY IN CERTAIN COUNTIES. A health and human services agency may not establish a new facility in a county with a population of less than 200,000 until the agency provides notice about the facility and…

Sec. 523.0001. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION; RESPONSIBILITY FOR DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. (a) The Health and Human Services Commission is an agency of this state. (b) The commission is the state agency with primary responsibility for ensuring the delivery of …

Sec. 523.0002. GOALS. The commission's goals are to: (1) maximize federal funds through the efficient use of available state and local resources; (2) provide a system that delivers prompt, comprehensive, effective services to individuals of this state by: (A) improving access to …

Sec. 523.0003. SUNSET PROVISION. The Health and Human Services Commission is subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as provided by that chapter, the commission is abolished September 1, 2027, and Chapter 531 and revised provisions derived from Ch…

Sec. 523.00031. LIMIT ON SUNSET REVIEW. The Sunset Advisory Commission's review of the commission under Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act) during the period in which state agencies abolished in 2027 are reviewed may not include a review of the family support services programs transfe…

Sec. 523.0004. APPLICABILITY OF OTHER LAW. The commission is subject to Chapters 2001 and 2002. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER B. EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER; PERSONNEL

Sec. 523.0051. EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER. (a) The commission is governed by an executive commissioner. (b) The governor appoints the executive commissioner with the advice and consent of the senate, and shall make the appointment without regard to race, color, disability, sex, relig…

Sec. 523.0052. ELIGIBILITY FOR APPOINTMENT AS EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER OR TO SERVE IN CERTAIN EMPLOYMENT POSITIONS. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" means a cooperative and voluntarily joined statewide association of business or professional competitors in this state …

Sec. 523.0053. TERM. The executive commissioner serves a two-year term expiring February 1 of each odd-numbered year. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.

Sec. 523.0054. MEDICAL DIRECTOR; OTHER PERSONNEL. The executive commissioner: (1) shall employ a medical director to provide medical expertise to the executive commissioner and the commission; and (2) may employ other personnel necessary to administer the commission's duties. Add…

Sec. 523.0055. CAREER LADDER PROGRAM; PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS. (a) The executive commissioner shall develop an intra-agency career ladder program. The program must require the intra-agency posting of all non-entry-level positions concurrently with any public posting. (b) The exec…

Sec. 523.0056. MERIT SYSTEM. (a) The commission may establish a merit system for commission employees. (b) The merit system may be maintained in conjunction with other state agencies that are required by federal law to operate under a merit system. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., …

Sec. 523.0057. QUALIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS OF CONDUCT INFORMATION. The executive commissioner shall provide to commission employees as often as necessary information regarding their qualifications under this chapter and their responsibilities under applicable laws relating to st…

Sec. 523.0058. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY. (a) The executive commissioner shall prepare and maintain a written policy statement that implements a program of equal employment opportunity to ensure that all personnel transactions are made without regard to race, color, dis…

Sec. 523.0059. USE OF AGENCY STAFF. To the extent the commission requests, a health and human services agency shall assign existing staff to perform a function imposed under Chapter 531 or revised provisions derived from Chapter 531, as that chapter existed on March 31, 2025. Add…

Sec. 523.0060. CRIMINAL HISTORY BACKGROUND CHECKS. (a) In this section, "eligible individual" means an individual whose criminal history record information the executive commissioner or the executive commissioner's designee is entitled to obtain from the Department of Public Safe…

Sec. 523.0101. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. The Health and Human Services Commission Executive Council is established to receive public comment and advise the executive commissioner regarding the commission's operation. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.…

Sec. 523.0102. POWERS AND DUTIES. (a) The executive council shall seek and receive public comment on: (1) proposed rules; (2) advisory committee recommendations; (3) legislative appropriations requests or other documents related to the appropriations process; (4) the operation of…

Sec. 523.0103. COMPOSITION. (a) The executive council is composed of: (1) the executive commissioner; (2) the director of each division the executive commissioner established under former Section 531.008(c) before the expiration of that subsection on September 1, 2023; (3) the co…

Sec. 523.0104. ELIGIBILITY TO SERVE ON EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. (a) In this section, "Texas trade association" has the meaning assigned by Section 523.0052. (b) An individual may not serve on the executive council if: (1) the individual is an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a …

Sec. 523.0105. PRESIDING OFFICER; RULES FOR OPERATION. The executive commissioner serves as the chair of the executive council and shall adopt rules for the council's operation. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.

Sec. 523.0106. MEETINGS; QUORUM. (a) The executive council shall meet at the executive commissioner's call at least quarterly. The executive commissioner may call additional meetings as the executive commissioner determines necessary. (b) A majority of the executive council membe…

Sec. 523.0107. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES. An executive council member appointed under Section 523.0103(a)(5) may not receive compensation for service as a council member but is entitled to reimbursement for travel expenses the member incurs while conducting council…

Sec. 523.0108. PUBLIC COMMENT. The executive commissioner shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the executive council which may include holding meetings in various geographic areas across this state or allowing…

Sec. 523.0109. CONSTRUCTION OF SUBCHAPTER. This subchapter does not limit the executive commissioner's authority to establish additional advisory committees or councils. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.

Sec. 523.0110. INAPPLICABILITY OF CERTAIN OTHER LAW. Except as provided by Section 522.0204, Chapters 551 and 2110 do not apply to the executive council. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER D. COMMISSION ORGANIZATION

Sec. 523.0151. COMMISSION DIVISIONS. (a) The executive commissioner shall establish divisions within the commission along functional lines as necessary for effective administration and the discharge of the commission's functions. (b) The executive commissioner may allocate and re…