Sec. 44.003. ADMINISTRATION OF FEDERAL-LOCAL PROGRAM

(a) If the program is to be funded through political subdivisions of the state or local agencies approved by the commission matching federal grants, the commission shall promulgate procedures for effective delivery of services consistent with this section and with federal law and regulations.

(b) If the services are provided through contracting with operators of day-care programs on request from political subdivisions or local agencies, the commission may not promulgate standards for selection of the type of programs more restrictive than required by federal law or regulations.

(c) The executive director of the commission shall establish an accounting system consistent with federal law and regulations which will provide that an operator of a day-care program contracting with the commission:

(1) shall receive prepayment in accordance with policies and procedures mutually agreed on by the comptroller and the commission; and

(2) shall be paid on the basis of legitimate and reasonable expenses, insofar as possible, given federal regulations and department policy, instead of being paid on the basis of the number of children attending or the number of children enrolled in the program, provided that on being monitored by the commission, the contracting operator can substantiate that there were sufficient preparations in the development of the services offered.

(d) The executive director of the commission shall establish procedures for hearing complaints by operators of day-care programs contracting with the commission relating to the failure of the commission to comply with Subsection (c).

Acts 1979, 66th Leg., p. 2370, ch. 842, art. 1, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1979. Amended by Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 717, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 8.026, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 655, Sec. 11.66, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.