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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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GOVERNMENT CODE |
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Title 4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH |
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Subtitle I. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES |
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Chapter 531. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION |
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Subchapter B. POWERS AND DUTIES |
Sec. 531.042. INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE REGARDING CARE AND SUPPORT OPTIONS; REPORTS
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(a) The commissioner by rule shall require each health and human services agency to provide to each patient or client of the agency and to at least one family member of the patient or client, if possible, information regarding all care and support options available to the patient or client, including community-based services appropriate to the needs of the patient or client, before the agency allows the patient or client to be placed in a care setting, including a nursing home, intermediate care facility for the mentally retarded, or institution for the mentally retarded licensed or operated by the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services, to receive care or services provided by the agency or by a person under an agreement with the agency.
(b) The rules must require each health and human services agency to provide information about all long-term care options and long-term support options available to the patient or client, including community-based options and options available through another agency or a private provider. The information must be provided in a manner designed to maximize the patient's or client's understanding of all available options. If the patient or client has a legally authorized representative, as defined by Section 241.151, Health and Safety Code, the information must also be provided to that representative. If the patient or client is in the conservatorship of a health and human services agency, the information must be provided to the patient's or client's agency caseworker and foster parents, if applicable.
(c) A health and human services agency that provides a patient, client, or other person as required by this section with information regarding care and support options available to the patient or client shall assist the patient, client, or other person in taking advantage of an option selected by the patient, client, or other person, subject to the availability of funds. If the selected option is not immediately available for any reason, the agency shall provide assistance in placing the patient or client on a waiting list for that option.
(d) Each health and human services agency annually and as provided by commission rule shall report to the legislature the number of community-based service placements and residential-care placements the agency makes.