An official State of Texas website.
Effective Sept. 12, 2024, HHSC adopted amendments to Title 26 of the Texas Administrative Code, Ch. 553 concerning Licensing Standards for Assisted Living Facilities in response to House Bills (HB) 1009, 1673 and 4696 from the 88th Legislature, Regular Session (2023).
- HB 1009 requires an ALF to suspend the employment of an employee who HHSC finds has engaged in reportable conduct and who has been reported to the Employee Misconduct Registry while the employee exhausts any appeals process, including informal and formal appeals and any hearing or judicial review. Regulations regarding these requirements are in 26 TAC §553.257.
- HB 1673 requires facilities that provide personal care services to residents with Alzheimer’s disease, or related disorders that are not Alzheimer's certified, to ensure staff complete competency-based training and annual continuing education on Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. The requirements and trainings are in 26 TAC §553.254. Staff are not required to complete the trainings or pass the competency-based evaluation until the effective date of this bill, Dec. 31, 2024.
- HB 4696 requires HHSC to conduct on-site investigations for allegations of abuse or neglect. These requirements are in 26 TAC §553.329.
- 26 TAC §553.17 was amended to clarify that an accreditation commission can conduct a life safety code survey of a facility based on the requirements in Subchapter D of 26 TAC Chapter 553 relating to Facility Construction.
Email questions to LTCRpolicy@hhs.texas.gov.