HHSC Adopts Rule Amendments Regarding Nursing Facilities, Nursing Facility Administrators, Nurse Aides and Medication Aides

Effective Sept. 18, HHSC is adopting amendments to Title 26 of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC), Chapters 554, 555, 556 and 557.

The amendments are:

• 26 TAC, Ch. 554, concerning Nursing Facility Requirements for Licensure and Medicaid Certification:
  • Implement House Bill 1009 from the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, relating to employment suspension for nursing facility employees found to have engaged in reportable conduct.
  • Implement Senate Bill 240 from the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, relating to employee workplace violence prevention.
  • Clarify requirements related to the use of physical restraints by combining the requirements into one section of rule.
  • Make non-substantive edits to update references.
• 26 TAC, Ch. 555, concerning Nursing Facility Administrators; 26 TAC, Ch. 556, concerning Nurse Aides; and 26 TAC, Ch. 557, concerning Medication Aides — Program Requirements:
  • Implement Senate Bill 681 from the 88th Legislature, Regular Session, 2023, relating to exemption from Texas Occupations Code (OC), Chapter 53, for nursing facility administrators, nurse aides and medication aides.
  • Make updates to reflect the use of the Texas Unified Licensure Information Portal (TULIP).
  • Add clarifying information on where to find HHSC Form 5521-NFA, Complaints.
  • Make non-substantive edits to update references.

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