Sec. 591.011. DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES

(a) The department shall make all reasonable efforts consistent with available resources to:

(1) assure that each identified person with mental retardation who needs mental retardation services is given while these services are needed quality care, treatment, education, training, and rehabilitation appropriate to the person's individual needs other than those services or programs explicitly delegated by law to other governmental agencies;

(2) initiate, carry out, and evaluate procedures to guarantee to persons with mental retardation the rights listed in this subtitle;

(3) carry out this subtitle, including planning, initiating, coordinating, promoting, and evaluating all programs developed;

(4) provide either directly or by cooperation, negotiation, or contract with other agencies and those persons and groups listed in Section 533.034, a continuum of services to persons with mental retardation; and

(5) provide, either directly or by contract with other agencies, a continuum of services to children, juveniles, or adults with mental retardation committed into the department's custody by the juvenile or criminal courts.

(b) The services provided by the department under Subsection (a)(4) shall include:

(1) treatment and care;

(2) education and training, including sheltered workshop programs;

(3) counseling and guidance; and

(4) development of residential and other facilities to enable persons with mental retardation to live and be habilitated in the community.

(c) The facilities provided under Subsection (b) shall include group homes, foster homes, halfway houses, and day-care facilities for persons with mental retardation to which the department has assigned persons with mental retardation.

(d) The department shall exercise periodic and continuing supervision over the quality of services provided under this section.

(e) The department shall have the right of access to all residents and records of residents who are placed with residential service providers.

(f) The department's responsibilities under this subtitle are in addition to all other responsibilities and duties of the department under other law.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 646, Sec. 13, eff. Aug. 30, 1993.