Title GV, Government Code

Sec. 525.0002. LOCATION OF AND CONSOLIDATION OF CERTAIN SERVICES AMONG HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES. (a) The commission may require a health and human services agency, under the commission's direction, to: (1) ensure that the agency's location is accessible to: (A) employee…

Sec. 525.0003. CONSOLIDATED INTERNAL AUDIT PROGRAM. (a) Notwithstanding Section 2102.005, the commission shall operate the internal audit program required under Chapter 2102 for the commission and each health and human services agency as a consolidated internal audit program. (b)…

Sec. 525.0004. INTERAGENCY DISPUTE ARBITRATION. The executive commissioner shall arbitrate and render the final decision on interagency disputes. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER B. ACCOUNTING AND FISCAL PROVISION…

Sec. 525.0051. MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND COST ACCOUNTING SYSTEMS. The executive commissioner shall establish a management information system and a cost accounting system for all health and human services that is compatible with and meets the requirements of the uniform statewide…

Sec. 525.0052. FEDERAL FUNDS: PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT; ANNUAL REPORT. (a) The commission, subject to the General Appropriations Act, is responsible for planning for and managing the use of federal funds in a manner that maximizes the federal funding available to this state while …

Sec. 525.0053. AUTHORITY TO TRANSFER CERTAIN APPROPRIATED AMOUNTS AMONG HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCIES. The commission may, subject to the General Appropriations Act, transfer amounts appropriated to health and human services agencies among the agencies to: (1) enhance the re…

Sec. 525.0054. EFFICIENCY AUDIT OF CERTAIN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. (a) For purposes of this section, "efficiency audit" means an investigation of the implementation and administration of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program operated under Chapter 31, Human Res…

Sec. 525.0055. GIFTS AND GRANTS. The commission may accept a gift or grant from a public or private source to perform any of the commission's powers or duties. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER C. CONTRACTS

Sec. 525.0101. GENERAL CONTRACT AUTHORITY. The commission may enter into contracts as necessary to perform any of the commission's powers or duties. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.

Sec. 525.0102. SUBROGATION AND THIRD-PARTY REIMBURSEMENT CONTRACTS. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (d), the commission shall enter into a contract under which the contractor is authorized on behalf of the commission or a health and human services agency to recover money und…

Sec. 525.0151. PLANNING AND DELIVERY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES GENERALLY. The executive commissioner shall: (1) facilitate and enforce coordinated planning and delivery of health and human services, including: (A) colocation of services; (B) integrated intake; and (C) coordina…

Sec. 525.0152. PLANNING AND POLICY DIRECTION OF TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM. (a) In this section, "financial assistance program" means the financial assistance program operated under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code. (b) The commission shall: (1) plan and dire…

Sec. 525.0153. ANNUAL BUSINESS SERVICES PLANS. The commission shall develop and implement an annual business services plan for each health and human services region that: (1) establishes performance objectives for all health and human services agencies providing services in the r…

Sec. 525.0156. SUBMISSION AND REVIEW OF AGENCY STRATEGIC PLANS AND BIENNIAL PLAN UPDATES. (a) Each health and human services agency shall submit to the commission a strategic plan and biennial updates of the plan on a date determined by commission rule. (b) The commission shall: …

Sec. 525.0157. STATEWIDE NEEDS APPRAISAL PROJECT. (a) The commission may implement the Statewide Needs Appraisal Project to obtain county-specific demographic data concerning health and human services needs in this state. (b) Any collected data must be made available for use in p…

Sec. 525.0158. STREAMLINING SERVICE DELIVERY. To integrate and streamline service delivery and facilitate access to services, the executive commissioner may: (1) request a health and human services agency to take a specific action; and (2) recommend the manner for accomplishing t…

Sec. 525.0159. HOTLINE AND CALL CENTER COORDINATION. (a) The commission shall establish a process to ensure all health and human services system hotlines and call centers are necessary and appropriate. Under the process, the commission shall: (1) develop criteria for use in asses…

Sec. 525.0160. COMMUNITY-BASED SUPPORT SYSTEMS. (a) Subject to Sections 524.0001(c) and (d) and 524.0202(a)(1), the commission shall assist communities in this state in developing comprehensive, community-based support systems for health and human services. At a community's reque…

Sec. 525.0201. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Electronic health record" means an electronic record of an individual's aggregated health-related information that conforms to nationally recognized interoperability standards and that can be created, managed, and consulted by …

Sec. 525.0202. HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT. (a) The commission shall develop an electronic health information exchange system to improve the quality, safety, and efficiency of health care services provided under Medicaid and the child health plan program. In de…

Sec. 525.0203. HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION IN STAGES. The commission shall implement the health information exchange system in stages as described by this subchapter, except that the commission may deviate from those stages if technological advances make a d…

Sec. 525.0204. HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM STAGE ONE: ENCOUNTER DATA. In stage one of implementing the health information exchange system and for purposes of the implementation, the commission shall require each managed care organization with which the commission contracts…

Sec. 525.0205. HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM STAGE ONE: ELECTRONIC PRESCRIBING. (a) In stage one of implementing the health information exchange system, the commission shall support and coordinate electronic prescribing tools health care providers and health care facilities …

Sec. 525.0206. HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM STAGE TWO: EXPANSION. (a) In stage two of implementing the health information exchange system and based on feedback provided by interested parties, the commission may expand the system by: (1) providing an electronic health record…

Sec. 525.0207. HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM STAGE THREE: EXPANSION. In stage three of implementing the health information exchange system, the commission may expand the system by: (1) developing evidence-based benchmarking tools for a health care provider to use in evaluati…

Sec. 525.0208. STRATEGIES TO ENCOURAGE HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM USE. The commission shall develop strategies to encourage health care providers to use the health information exchange system, including incentives, education, and outreach tools to increase usage. Added by…

Sec. 525.0209. RULES. The executive commissioner may adopt rules to implement this subchapter. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025. SUBCHAPTER F. INFORMATION RESOURCES AND TECHNOLOGY

Sec. 525.0251. INFORMATION RESOURCES STRATEGIC PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT. (a) The commission is responsible for strategic planning for information resources at each health and human services agency and shall direct the management of information resources at each health and human se…

Sec. 525.0252. TECHNOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS POLICIES. (a) The commission shall develop and implement a policy requiring the agency commissioner and employees of each health and human services agency to research and propose appropriate technological solutions to improve the agency's ab…

Sec. 525.0253. TECHNOLOGY USE FOR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM. (a) Subject to available appropriations, the commission shall use technology whenever possible in connection with the Department of Family and Protective Services' adult protective services program to: (1) provi…

Sec. 525.0254. ELECTRONIC SIGNATURES. (a) In this section, "transaction" has the meaning assigned by Section 322.002, Business & Commerce Code. (b) The executive commissioner shall establish standards for the use of electronic signatures in accordance with Chapter 322, Business &…

Sec. 525.0255. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEM INTERNET WEBSITES. The commission shall establish a process to ensure that Internet websites across the health and human services system are developed and maintained according to standard criteria for uniformity, efficiency, and tec…

Sec. 525.0256. AUTOMATION STANDARDS FOR DATA SHARING. The executive commissioner, with the Department of Information Resources, shall develop automation standards for computer systems to enable health and human services agencies, including agencies operating at a local level, to …

Sec. 525.0257. ELECTRONIC EXCHANGE OF HEALTH INFORMATION; BIENNIAL REPORT. (a) In this section, "health care provider" includes a physician. (b) The executive commissioner shall ensure that: (1) all information systems available for the commission or a health and human services a…

Sec. 525.0301. BIENNIAL REFERENCE GUIDE. (a) The commission shall: (1) publish a biennial reference guide describing available public health and human services in this state; and (2) make the guide available to all interested parties and agencies. (b) The reference guide must inc…

Sec. 525.0302. CONSOLIDATION OF REPORTS. The commission may consolidate any annual or biennial reports required to be made under this chapter or another law if: (1) the consolidated report is submitted not later than the earliest deadline for the submission of any component of th…

Sec. 525.0303. ANNUAL REPORT ON SAFEGUARDING PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION. (a) The commission, in consultation with the Department of State Health Services, the Texas Medical Board, and the Texas Department of Insurance, shall explore and evaluate new developments in safeguarding…

Sec. 526.0001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: (1) "Council" means the Records Management Interagency Coordinating Council. (2) "Network" means the Texas Information and Referral Network. Added by Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 769 (H.B. 4611), Sec. 1.01, eff. April 1, 2025.

Sec. 526.0002. INTERNET WEBSITE FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INFORMATION. (a) The commission, in cooperation with the Department of Information Resources, shall maintain through the state electronic Internet portal project established by the department a generally accessible and…

Sec. 526.0003. INFORMATION ON LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES. (a) The Internet website maintained under Section 526.0002 must include information for consumers concerning long-term care services. The information must: (1) be presented in a manner that is easily accessible to and underst…

Sec. 526.0004. TEXAS INFORMATION AND REFERRAL NETWORK. (a) The Texas Information and Referral Network is responsible for developing, coordinating, and implementing a statewide information and referral network that integrates existing community-based structures with state and loca…

Sec. 526.0005. INTERNET WEBSITE FOR HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES REFERRAL INFORMATION. (a) The network may develop an Internet website to provide information to the public regarding the health and human services provided by public or private entities throughout this state. (b) The m…

Sec. 526.0006. INTERNET WEBSITE FOR CHILD-CARE AND EDUCATION SERVICES REFERRAL INFORMATION. (a) In this section, "child-care and education services" means: (1) subsidized child-care services administered by the Texas Workforce Commission and local workforce development boards and…

Sec. 526.0007. INTERNET WEBSITE FOR REFERRAL INFORMATION ON HOUSING OPTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS. (a) The commission shall make available through the network Internet website established under Section 526.0005 information regarding housing options for individuals w…

Sec. 526.0008. COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL ELECTRONIC DATA INTERCHANGE STANDARDS FOR HEALTH CARE INFORMATION. Each health and human services agency and other state agency that acts as a health care provider or a claims payer for the provision of health care shall: (1) process inform…

Sec. 526.0009. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR HUMAN SERVICES PROVIDERS. (a) A health and human services agency shall, in conjunction with the Department of Information Resources, coordinate and enhance the agency's existing Internet website to provide technical assistance for human ser…