February 12, 2020 - 9:00am

Health and Human Services Commission, Brown-Heatly Building, Public Hearing Room
4900 North Lamar Boulevard
Austin Texas, 78751

Agenda

Webcasting Available

Entry is through security at the main entrance of the building facing Lamar Boulevard.

Hearing. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) will conduct a public hearing to receive comment on proposed amendments to §9.177, concerning Certification Principles: Staff Member and Service Provider Requirements; §9.579, concerning Certification Principles: Staff Member and Service Provider Requirements; §41.505, concerning Payroll Budgeting; §44.302, concerning Provider Qualifications and Responsibilities in all Consumer Managed Personal Attendant Services (CMPAS) Service Delivery Options; §44.422, concerning Individual Responsibilities in the Block Grant Option; §49.102, concerning Definitions; §49.312, concerning Personal Attendants; and §363.603, concerning Provider Participation Requirements. HHSC will also receive comments on proposed new §354.1369, concerning Attendant Base Wage; and proposed new §355.7051, concerning Base Wage for a Personal Attendant.

HHSC will broadcast the public hearing. Persons watching remotely can submit written comments. The broadcast can be accessed at https://hhs.texas.gov/about-hhs/communications-events/live-archived-meetings, and will be archived for access on demand at the same website.

Proposal. The purpose of the proposal is to implement Rider 45 of the 2020-21 General Appropriations Act, Article II, Special Provisions, House Bill 1, 86th Legislature, Regular Session, 2019. Rider 45 appropriates funds to HHSC to increase the minimum base wage paid to “personal attendants” from $8.00 to $8.11 per hour. Currently, the minimum hourly base wage for a personal attendant is referenced in multiple rules. HHSC is proposing new §355.7051 so that the base wage requirements for all of HHSC’s programs and services will be contained in one section. As a result of this consolidation, the existing sections are being proposed for amendment to remove their specific base wage requirements and instead reference the specific requirements of proposed new §355.7051. Proposed new 1 TAC §354.1369 requires that providers of Community First Choice (CFC) personal assistance services and CFC Habilitation pay a personal attendant a base wage as specified in 1 TAC §355.7051.

Written Comments. Written comments regarding the proposed amendments and proposed new rules may be submitted in lieu of, or in addition to, oral testimony until 5:00 p.m. on March 9, 2020. Written comments may be sent by U.S. mail, overnight mail, special delivery mail, hand delivery, fax, or e-mail.

U.S. Mail
Health and Human Services Commission
Rate Analysis Department, Mail Code H-400
P.O. Box 149030
Austin, Texas 78714-9030

Overnight mail, special delivery mail or hand delivery
Health and Human Services Commission
Rate Analysis Department, Mail Code H-400
Brown-Heatly Building
4900 North Lamar Blvd.
Austin, Texas 78751-2316

Phone number for package delivery: (512) 730-7401

Fax
Attention: Rate Analysis at (512) 730-7475

E-mail
RAD-LTSS@hhsc.state.tx.us

Persons with disabilities who wish to attend the hearing and require auxiliary aids or services should contact Rate Analysis at (512) 424-6637 at least 72 hours prior to the hearing so appropriate arrangements can be made.