By: Herrero H.B. No. 4688

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the protection and care of individuals with mental retardation who reside in a state developmental center.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 27. Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended to read as follows:

Art. 2.12. WHO ARE PEACE OFFICERS. The following are peace officers:

(1) sheriffs, their deputies, and those reserve deputies who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;

(2) constables, deputy constables, and those reserve deputy constables who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;

(3) marshals or police officers of an incorporated city, town, or village, and those reserve municipal police officers who hold a permanent peace officer license issued under Chapter 1701, Occupations Code;

(4) rangers and officers commissioned by the Public Safety Commission and the Director of the Department of Public Safety;

(5) investigators of the district attorneys', criminal district attorneys', and county attorneys' offices;

(6) law enforcement agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission;

(7) each member of an arson investigating unit commissioned by a city, a county, or the state;

(8) officers commissioned under Section 37.081, Education Code, or Subchapter E, Chapter 51, Education Code;

(9) officers commissioned by the General Services Commission;

(10) law enforcement officers commissioned by the Parks and Wildlife Commission;

(11) airport police officers commissioned by a city with a population of more than 1.18 million that operates an airport that serves commercial air carriers;

(12) airport security personnel commissioned as peace officers by the governing body of any political subdivision of this state, other than a city described by Subdivision (11), that operates an airport that serves commercial air carriers;

(13) municipal park and recreational patrolmen and security officers;

(14) security officers and investigators commissioned as peace officers by the comptroller;

(15) officers commissioned by a water control and improvement district under Section 49.216, Water Code;

(16) officers commissioned by a board of trustees under Chapter 54, Transportation Code;

(17) investigators commissioned by the Texas Medical Board;

(18) officers commissioned by the board of managers of the Dallas County Hospital District, the Tarrant County Hospital District, or the Bexar County Hospital District under Section 281.057, Health and Safety Code;

(19) county park rangers commissioned under Subchapter E, Chapter 351, Local Government Code;

(20) investigators employed by the Texas Racing Commission;

(21) officers commissioned under Chapter 554, Occupations Code;

(22) officers commissioned by the governing body of a metropolitan rapid transit authority under Section 451.108, Transportation Code, or by a regional transportation authority under Section 452.110, Transportation Code;

(23) investigators commissioned by the attorney general under Section 402.009, Government Code;

(24) security officers and investigators commissioned as peace officers under Chapter 466, Government Code;

(25) an officer employed by the Department of State Health Services under Section 431.2471, Health and Safety Code;

(26) officers appointed by an appellate court under Subchapter F, Chapter 53, Government Code;

(27) officers commissioned by the state fire marshal under Chapter 417, Government Code;

(28) an investigator commissioned by the commissioner of insurance under Section 701.104, Insurance Code;

(29) apprehension specialists and inspectors general commissioned by the Texas Youth Commission as officers under Sections 61.0451 and 61.0931, Human Resources Code;

(30) officers appointed by the inspector general of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice under Section 493.019, Government Code;

(31) investigators commissioned by the Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education under Section 1701.160, Occupations Code;

(32) commission investigators commissioned by the Texas Private Security Board under Section 1702.061(f), Occupations Code;

(33) the fire marshal and any officers, inspectors, or investigators commissioned by an emergency services district under Chapter 775, Health and Safety Code;

(34) officers commissioned by the State Board of Dental Examiners under Section 254.013, Occupations Code, subject to the limitations imposed by that section; [and]

(35) investigators commissioned by the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission as officers under Section 141.055, Human Resources Code; and

(36) officers commissioned by the office of inspector general established under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code.

SECTION 28. Sections 531.102 and 531.1021, Government Code, are repealed.

SECTION 29. Section 411.086, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 411.083. DISSEMINATION OF CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION. (a) Criminal history record information maintained by the department is confidential information for the use of the department and, except as provided by this subchapter, may not be disseminated by the department.

(b) The department shall grant access to criminal history record information to:

(1) criminal justice agencies;

(2) noncriminal justice agencies authorized by federal statute or executive order or by state statute to receive criminal history record information;

(3) the person who is the subject of the criminal history record information;

(4) a person working on a research or statistical project that:

(A) is funded in whole or in part by state funds; or

(B) meets the requirements of Part 22, Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, and is approved by the department;

(5) an individual or an agency that has a specific agreement with a criminal justice agency to provide services required for the administration of criminal justice under that agreement, if the agreement:

(A) specifically authorizes access to information;

(B) limits the use of information to the purposes for which it is given;

(C) ensures the security and confidentiality of the information; and

(D) provides for sanctions if a requirement imposed under Paragraph (A), (B), or (C) is violated;

(6) an individual or an agency that has a specific agreement with a noncriminal justice agency to provide services related to the use of criminal history record information disseminated under this subchapter, if the agreement:

(A) specifically authorizes access to information;

(B) limits the use of information to the purposes for which it is given;

(C) ensures the security and confidentiality of the information; and

(D) provides for sanctions if a requirement imposed under Paragraph (A), (B), or (C) is violated;

(7) a county or district clerk's office; [and]

(8) the Office of Court Administration of the Texas Judicial System; and

(9) officers commissioned by the office of inspector general established under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code.

(c) The department may disseminate criminal history record information under Subsection (b)(1) only for a criminal justice purpose. The department may disseminate criminal history record information under Subsection (b)(2) only for a purpose specified in the statute or order. The department may disseminate criminal history record information under Subsection (b)(4), (5), or (6) only for a purpose approved by the department and only under rules adopted by the department. The department may disseminate criminal history record information under Subsection (b)(7) only to the extent necessary for a county or district clerk to perform a duty imposed by law to collect and report criminal court disposition information. Criminal history record information disseminated to a clerk under Subsection (b)(7) may be used by the clerk only to ensure that information reported by the clerk to the department is accurate and complete. The dissemination of information to a clerk under Subsection (b)(7) does not affect the authority of the clerk to disclose or use information submitted by the clerk to the department. The department may disseminate criminal history record information under Subsection (b)(8) only to the extent necessary for the office of court administration to perform a duty imposed by law to compile court statistics or prepare reports. The office of court administration may disclose criminal history record information obtained from the department under Subsection (b)(8) in a statistic compiled by the office or a report prepared by the office, but only in a manner that does not identify the person who is the subject of the information.

(d) The department is not required to release or disclose criminal history record information to any person that is not in compliance with rules adopted by the department under this subchapter or rules adopted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation that relate to the dissemination or use of criminal history record information.

SECTION 1. Section 261.404, Family Code, is amended by adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows:

(b-1) If an investigation under this section reveals evidence of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client of a state developmental center as defined by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code and a caseworker of the department or a supervisor of a caseworker believes that the abuse, neglect, or exploitation is a criminal offense, the caseworker or supervisor shall immediately notify the Health and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general and promptly provide the Health and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general with a copy of the department's investigation report.

SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 411.1144 to read as follows:

SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 531.1022 to read as follows:

Sec. 531.1022. ASSISTING CERTAIN INVESTIGATIONS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. (a) The office of inspector general shall employ and commission peace officers for the sole purpose of assisting a state or local law enforcement agency in the investigation of an alleged criminal offense involving a resident or client of a state developmental center as defined by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code.

(b) The office of inspector general shall prepare a final report for each investigation conducted under this section. The office shall ensure that the report does not contain identifying information of an individual mentioned in the report. The final report must include:

(1) a summary of the activities performed by the office of inspector general in conducting the investigation;

(2) a statement regarding whether the investigation resulted in a finding that an alleged criminal offense was committed; and

(3) a description of the alleged criminal offense that was committed.

(c) The office of inspector general shall deliver the final report to the:

(1) executive commissioner;

(2) commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services;

(3) commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services;

(4) Aging and Disability Services Council;

(5) governor;

(6) lieutenant governor;

(7) speaker of the house of representatives;

(8) standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over state developmental centers;

(9) state auditor;

(10) alleged victim and the alleged victim's legally authorized representative; and

(11) office of the independent ombudsman for state developmental centers.

(d) A final report regarding an investigation is subject to required disclosure under Chapter 552. All information and materials compiled by the office of inspector general in connection with an investigation are confidential, and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, and not subject to disclosure, discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for their release to anyone other than the office or its employees or agents involved in the investigation conducted by the office, except that this information may be disclosed to the office of the attorney general, the state auditor's office, and law enforcement agencies.

(e) The office of inspector general shall prepare an annual status report of its activities under this section. The annual report may not contain identifying information of an individual mentioned in the report. The annual status report must include information that is aggregated and disaggregated by individual state developmental center.

(1) the number and type of alleged offenses investigated by the office;

(2) the number and type of alleged offenses involving an employee of a state developmental center;

(3) the relationship of an alleged victim to an alleged perpetrator;

(4) the number of investigations conducted that involve the suicide, death, or hospitalization of an alleged victim; and

(5) the number of completed investigations in which commission of the alleged offense was confirmed or unsubstantiated or in which the investigation was inconclusive, and a description of the reason that allegations were unsubstantiated or the investigation was inconclusive.

(f) The office of inspector general shall:

(1) submit the annual status report to the:

(A) executive commissioner;

(B) commissioner of the Department of Aging and Disability Services;

(C) commissioner of the Department of Family and Protective Services;

(D) Aging and Disability Services Council;

(E) Family and Protective Services Council;

(F) governor;

(G) lieutenant governor;

(H) speaker of the house of representatives;

(I) standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over state developmental centers;

(J) state auditor; and

(K) comptroller; and

(2) publish the report on the Internet website of the office of inspector general.

(g) An annual status report submitted under this section is public information under Chapter 552.

SECTION 4. Chapter 531, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter R to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER R. INSPECTOR GENERAL

Sec. 531.701. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Fraud" has the meaning assigned by Section 531.1011.

(2) "Inspector general" means the inspector general appointed under this subchapter.

(3) "Office" means the Office of Inspector General.

(4) "Provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 531.1011.

(5) "Review" includes an inspection, investigation, audit, or similar activity.

(6) "State funds" or "state money" includes federal funds or money received and appropriated by the state or for which the state has oversight responsibility.

Sec. 531.702. REFERENCE IN OTHER LAW. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a reference in law or rule to the commission's office of inspector general or the commission's office of investigations and enforcement means the Office of Inspector General.

Sec. 531.703. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL; ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) The office of inspector general is responsible for:

(1) the investigation of fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision or funding of health or human services by this state;

(2) the enforcement of state law relating to the provision of those services to protect the public; and

(3) the investigation, prevention and detection of crime relating to the provision of those services.

(b) The office is part of the single state Medicaid agency and is administratively attached to the commission. The commission shall provide to the office administrative support services from the commission and from health and human services agencies.

Sec. 531.704. SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT; FUNDS. (a) The commission and the office shall enter into a service level agreement that establishes the performance standards and deliverables with regard to administrative support by the commission.

(b) The service level agreement must be reviewed at least annually to ensure that services and deliverables are provided in accordance with the agreement.

(c) The commission shall request, apply for, and receive for the office any appropriations or other money from this state or the federal government, and shall disburse all such funds to the office as appropriated.

(d) The commission shall provide to the office for the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2009, the same level of administrative support the commission provided to the office established under former Section 531.102 for the state fiscal biennium beginning September 1, 2007. This subsection expires January 1, 2012.

Sec. 531.705. DUTIES OF COMMISSION. (a) The commission shall:

(1) provide administrative assistance to the office; and

(2) coordinate administrative responsibilities with the office to avoid unnecessary duplication of duties.

(b) The commission may not take an action that affects or relates to the validity, status, or terms of an interagency agreement or a contract to which the office is a party without the office's approval.

Sec. 531.706. INDEPENDENCE OF OFFICE. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this chapter, the office and inspector general operate independently of the commission.

(b) The inspector general, not the executive commissioner, supervises the office staff and manages the operations of the office.

(c) The inspector general shall have operational authority over and responsibility for the:

(1) management of the daily operations of the office, including the organization and management of the office and office operating procedures;

(2) allocation of resources within the office;

(3) personnel and employment policies;

(4) contracting, purchasing, and related policies, subject to other laws relating to state agency contracting and purchasing;

(5) information resources systems used by the office;

(6) location of office facilities;

(7) coordination of office activities with activities of other state agencies, including other health and human services agencies.

Sec. 531.707. INSPECTOR GENERAL: APPOINTMENT AND TERM. (a) The governor shall appoint an inspector general to serve as director of the office.

(b) The inspector general reports to the governor and serves a two-year term that expires on February 1 of each odd-numbered year.

(c) The inspector general is a state officer.

Section 531.708. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. (a) The inspector general may not serve as an ex officio member on the governing body of a governmental entity.

(b) The inspector general may not have a financial interest in the transactions of the office, a health and human services agency, or a health or human services provider.

Section 531.709. RULEMAKING BY INSPECTOR GENERAL. (a) Notwithstanding Section 531.0055 (e) and any other law, the inspector general shall adopt the rules necessary to administer the functions of the office, including rules to address the imposition of sanctions and penalties for violations and due process requirements for imposing sanctions and penalties, as well as rules relating to the eligibility of providers and contractors to participate in health and human services programs.

(b) A rule, standard, or form adopted by the executive commissioner, the commission, or a health and human services agency that is necessary to accomplish the duties of the office is considered to also be a rule, standard, or form of the office and remains in effect as a rule, standard, or form of the office until changed by the inspector general.

(c) The office may submit proposed rules and adopted rules to the commission for publication. The executive commissioner or commission may not amend or modify a rule submitted by the office.

(d) The rules must include standards for the office that emphasize:

(1) coordinating investigative efforts to aggressively recover money;

(2) allocating resources to cases that have the strongest supportive evidence and the greatest potential for recovery of money; and

(3) maximizing opportunities for referral of cases to the office of the attorney general.

Sec. 531.710. EMPLOYEES; MEDICAL REVIEW OFFICER; TRAINING.

(a) The inspector general may employ personnel as necessary to implement the duties of the office.

(b) The inspector general shall employ a physician as the medical review officer to perform reviews and provide information and consultation as appropriate when the matter at issue involves or requires medical expertise.

(c) The inspector general shall train office personnel to pursue priority Medicaid and other health and human services fraud, waste, and abuse cases efficiently and as necessary.

(d) The inspector general may contract with certified public accountants, management consultants, or other professional experts necessary to enable the inspector general and office personnel to independently perform the functions of the inspector general's office.

(e) The inspector general may require employees of health and human services agencies to provide assistance to the office in connection with the office's duties relating to the investigation of fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision of health and human services.

Sec. 531.711. REVIEW AUTHORITY. (a) The inspector general may any activity or operation of a health and human services agency, health or human services provider, or person in this state that is related to the investigation, detection, or prevention of fraud, waste, abuse or employee misconduct in a state or state-funded health or human services program. A review may include an inspection, investigation, audit, or other similar activity [or other] inquiring[y] into a specific act or allegation of, or a specific financial transaction or practice that may involve, impropriety, malfeasance, or nonfeasance in the obligation, spending, receipt, or other use of state money.

(b) The executive commissioner, the commission, or a health and human services agency of this state may not impair, prohibit, or attempt to influence the inspector general in initiating, conducting, or completing a review.

(c) The inspector general may conduct reviews, including financial or performance audits regarding the use and effectiveness of state funds, including contract and grant funds, administered by a person or state agency receiving the funds in connection with a state or state-funded health or human services program.

Sec. 531.712. INITIATION OF REVIEW. The inspector general may initiate a review:

(1) on the inspector general's own initiative;

(2) at the request of the commission or executive commissioner; or

(3) based on a complaint from any source concerning a matter described by Section 531.711.

Sec. 531.713. INTEGRITY REVIEW. (a) The office shall conduct an integrity review to determine whether there is sufficient basis to warrant a full investigation on receipt of any complaint of fraud, waste, or abuse of funds in the state Medicaid program from any source.

(b) An integrity review must begin not later than the 30th day after the date the office receives a complaint or has reason to believe that Medicaid fraud, waste, or abuse has occurred. An integrity review shall be completed not later than the 90th day after the date the review began.

(c) If the findings of an integrity review give the office reason to believe that an incident of fraud involving possible criminal conduct has occurred in the state Medicaid program, the office must take the following action, as appropriate, not later than the 30th day after the completion of the integrity review:

(1) if a provider is suspected of fraud involving criminal conduct, the office must refer the case to the state's Medicaid fraud control unit, provided that the criminal referral does not preclude the office from continuing its investigation of the provider or preclude the imposition of appropriate administrative or civil sanctions; or

(2) if there is reason to believe that a recipient of funds has defrauded the Medicaid program, the office may conduct a full investigation of the suspected fraud.

Sec. 531.714. ACCESS TO INFORMATION. (a) To further a review conducted by the office, the inspector general is entitled to full and unrestricted access to all offices, limited-access or restricted areas, employees, books, papers, records, documents, equipment, computers, databases, systems, accounts, reports, vouchers, or other information, including confidential information, electronic data, and internal records relevant to the functions of the office, maintained by a person, health and human services agency, or health or human services provider in connection with a state or state-funded health or human services program.

(b) The inspector general may not access data or other information the release of which is restricted under federal law unless the office is in compliance with all applicable federal regulations governing such access.

Sec. 531.715. COOPERATION REQUIRED. To further a review conducted by the inspector general's office, the inspector general may require medical or other professional assistance from the executive commissioner, the commission, a health and human services agency, or an auditor, accountant, or other employee of the commission or agency.

Sec. 531.716. REFERRAL TO STATE MEDICAID FRAUD CONTROL UNIT. (a) At the time the office learns or has reason to suspect that a health or human services provider 's records related to participation in the state Medicaid program are being withheld, concealed, destroyed, fabricated, or in any way falsified, the office shall immediately refer the case to the state's Medicaid fraud control unit.

(b) A criminal referral under Subsection (a) does not preclude the office from continuing its investigation of a health or human services provider or the imposition of appropriate administrative or civil sanctions.

Sec. 531.717. HOLD ON CLAIM REIMBURSEMENT PAYMENT; EXCLUSION FROM PROGRAMS. (a) In addition to other instances authorized under state or federal law, the office shall impose without prior notice a hold on payment of claims for reimbursement submitted by a health or human services provider to compel production of records related to participation in the state Medicaid program or on request of the state's Medicaid fraud control unit, as applicable.

(b) The office must notify the health or human services provider of the hold on payment not later than the fifth working day after the date the payment hold is imposed.

(c) The office shall, in consultation with the state's Medicaid fraud control unit, establish guidelines under which holds on payment or exclusions from a state or state-funded program:

(1) may permissively be imposed on a health or human services provider; or

(2) shall automatically be imposed on a provider.

(d) A health or human services provider subject to a hold on payment or excluded from a program under this section is entitled to a hearing on the hold or exclusion. A hearing under this subsection is a contested case hearing under Chapter 2001. The State Office of Administrative Hearings shall conduct the hearing. After the hearing, the office, subject to judicial review, shall make a final determination. The commission, a health and human services agency, and the office of the attorney general are entitled to intervene as parties in the contested case.

Sec. 531.718. REQUEST FOR EXPEDITED HEARING. (a) On timely written request by a health or human services provider subject to a hold on payment under Section 531.717, other than a hold requested by the state's Medicaid fraud control unit, the office shall file a request with the State Office of Administrative Hearings for an expedited administrative hearing regarding the hold.

(b) The health or human services provider must request an expedited hearing not later than the 10th day after the date the provider receives notice from the office under Section 531.717(b).

(c) The office may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the State Office of Administrative Hearings to facilitate the docketing and hearing of contested case hearings.

Sec. 531.719. INFORMAL RESOLUTION. (a) The inspector general shall adopt rules that allow a health or human services provider subject to a hold on payment under Section 531.717, other than a hold requested by the state's Medicaid fraud control unit, to seek an informal resolution of the issues identified by the office in the notice provided under that section.

(b) A health or human services provider must seek an informal resolution not later than the 10th day after the date the provider receives notice from the office under Section 531.717(b).

(c) A health or human services provider's decision to seek an informal resolution does not extend the time by which the provider must request an expedited administrative hearing under Section 531.718.

(d) A hearing initiated under Section 531.717 shall be stayed at the office's request until the informal resolution process is completed.

Sec. 531.720. EMPLOYEE REPORTS. The inspector general may require employees at the commission or a health and human services agency to report to the office information regarding fraud, waste, misuse or abuse of funds or resources, corruption, or illegal acts.

Sec. 531.721. SUBPOENAS. (a) The inspector general may issue a subpoena to compel the attendance of a relevant witness or the production, for inspection or copying, of relevant evidence in connection with a review conducted under this subchapter.

(b) A subpoena may be served personally or by certified mail.

(c) If a person fails to comply with a subpoena, the inspector general, acting through the attorney general, may file suit to enforce the subpoena in a district court in this state.

(d) On finding that good cause exists for issuing the subpoena, the court shall order the person to comply with the subpoena. The court may hold in contempt a person who fails to obey the court order.

(e) The reimbursement of the expenses of a witness whose attendance is compelled under this section is governed by Section 2001.103.

Sec. 531.722. INTERNAL AUDITOR. (a) In this section, "internal auditor" means a person appointed under Section 2102.006.

(b) The internal auditor for a health and human services agency shall provide the inspector general with a copy of the agency's internal audit plan to:

(1) assist in the coordination of efforts between the inspector general and the internal auditor; and

(2) limit duplication of effort regarding reviews by the inspector general and internal auditor.

(c) The internal auditor shall provide to the inspector general all final audit reports concerning audits of any:

(1) part or division of the agency;

(2) contract, procurement, or grant; and

(3) program conducted by the agency.

Sec. 531.723. COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS AND OTHER ENTITIES. (a) The inspector general may provide information and evidence relating to criminal acts to the state auditor's office and appropriate law enforcement officials.

(b) The inspector general may refer matters for further civil, criminal, and administrative action to appropriate administrative and prosecutorial agencies, including the attorney general.

(c) The inspector general may enter into a memorandum of understanding with a law enforcement or prosecutorial agency, including the office of the attorney general, to assist in conducting a review under this subchapter.

Sec. 531.724. COOPERATION AND COORDINATION WITH STATE AUDITOR.

(a) The state auditor may, on request of the inspector general, provide appropriate information or other assistance to the inspector general or office, as determined by the state auditor.

(b) The inspector general may meet with the state auditor's office to coordinate a review conducted under this subchapter, share information, or schedule work plans.

(c) The state auditor is entitled to access all information maintained by the inspector general, including vouchers, electronic data, internal records, and information obtained under Section 531.714 or subject to Section 531.731.

(d) Any information obtained or provided by the state auditor under this section is confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.

Sec. 531.725. PREVENTION. (a) The inspector general may recommend to the commission and executive commissioner policies on:

(1) promoting economical and efficient administration of state funds administered by an individual or entity that received the funds from a health and human services agency; and

(2) preventing and detecting fraud, waste, and abuse in the administration of those funds.

(b) The inspector general may provide training or other education regarding the prevention of fraud, waste, or abuse to employees of a health and human services agency. The training or education provided must be approved by the presiding officer of the agency.

Sec. 531.726. RULEMAKING BY EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER. The executive commissioner may adopt rules governing a health and human services agency's response to reports and referrals from the inspector general on issues identified by the inspector general related to the agency or a contractor of the agency.

Sec. 531.727. ALLEGATIONS OF MISCONDUCT AGAINST PRESIDING OFFICER. If a review by the inspector general involves allegations that a presiding officer of a health and human services agency has engaged in misconduct, the inspector general shall report to the governor during the review until the report is completed or the review is closed without a finding.

Sec. 531.728. PERIODIC REPORTING TO STATE AUDITOR AND EXECUTIVE COMMISSIONER REQUIRED. The inspector general shall timely inform the state auditor and the executive commissioner of the initiation of a review of a health and human services agency program and the ongoing status of each review.

Sec. 531.729. REPORTING OFFICE FINDINGS. The inspector general shall report the findings of any review or investigation conducted by the office to:

(1) the executive commissioner;

(2) the governor;

(3) the lieutenant governor;

(4) the speaker of the house of representatives;

(5) the state auditor's office; and

(6) appropriate law enforcement and prosecutorial agencies, including the office of the attorney general, if the findings suggest the probability of criminal conduct.

Sec. 531.730. FLAGRANT VIOLATIONS; IMMEDIATE REPORT. The inspector general shall immediately report to the executive commissioner, the governor 's general counsel, and the state auditor a problem deemed by the inspector general to be particularly serious or flagrant, and relating to the administration of a program, operation of a health and human services agency, or interference with an inspector general review.

Sec. 531.731. INFORMATION CONFIDENTIAL. (a) Except as provided by this section, Sections 531.103 531.729, and 531.733, all information and material compiled or maintained by the inspector general during a review under this subchapter is:

(1) confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552; and

(2) not subject to disclosure, discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for release to anyone other than the state auditor's office, the commission, or the office or its agents involved in the review related to that information or material.

(b) Subsection (a) applies to information the inspector general is required to disclose under Sections 531.727, 531.728, 531.730, and 531.732.

(c) As the inspector general determines appropriate based on evidence sufficient to support an allegation, information relating to a review may be disclosed to:

(1) a law enforcement agency;

(2) the attorney general's office;

(3) the state auditor's office; or

(4) the commission; or

(5) a licensing or regulatory agency.

(d) A person that receives information under Subsections (b) and (c) may not disclose the information except to the extent that disclosure is consistent with the authorized purpose for which the person first obtained the information.

Sec. 531.732. DRAFT OF FINAL REPORT; AGENCY RESPONSE.

(a) Except in cases in which the office has determined that potential fraud, waste, or abuse exists, or a criminal violation has occurred, the office shall provide a draft of the final report of any review of the operations of a health and human services agency to the presiding officer of the agency before publishing the office's final report.

(b) The health and human services agency may provide a response to the office 's draft report in the manner prescribed by the office not later than the 10th day after the date the draft report is received by the agency. The inspector general by rule shall specify the format and requirements of the agency response.

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the office may not provide a draft report to the presiding officer of the agency if in the inspector general's opinion providing the draft report could negatively affect any anticipated civil or criminal proceedings.

(d) The office may include any portion of the agency's response in the office's final report.

Sec. 531.733. FINAL REVIEW REPORTS; AGENCY RESPONSE. (a) The inspector general shall prepare a final report for each review conducted under this subchapter. The final report must include:

(1) a summary of the activities performed by the inspector general in conducting the review;

(2) a determination of whether wrongdoing was found; and

(3) a description of any findings of wrongdoing.

(b) The inspector general's final review reports are subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.

(c) All working papers and other documents related to compiling the final review reports remain confidential and are not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552.

(d) Not later than the 60th day after the date the office issues a final report that identifies deficiencies or inefficiencies in, or recommends corrective measures in the operations of, a health and human services agency, the agency shall file a response that includes:

(1) an implementation plan and timeline for implementing corrective measures; or

(2) the agency's rationale for declining to implement corrective measures for the identified deficiencies or inefficiencies or the office's recommended corrective measures, as applicable.

Sec. 531.734. STATE AUDITOR AUDITS, INVESTIGATIONS, AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION NOT IMPAIRED. This subchapter or other law related to the operation of the inspector general does not prohibit the state auditor from conducting an audit, investigation, or other review or from having full and complete access to all records and other information including witnesses and electronic data, that the state auditor considers necessary for the audit, investigation, or other review.

Sec. 531.735. AUTHORITY OF STATE AUDITOR TO CONDUCT TIMELY AUDITS NOT IMPAIRED. This chapter or other law related to the operation of the inspector general does not take precedence over the authority of the state auditor to conduct an audit under Chapter 321 or other law.

Sec. 531.736. BUDGET. (a) The inspector general shall submit a budget in accordance with the reporting requirements of the General Appropriations Act.

(b) The inspector general shall submit to the commission a legislative appropriations request and an operating budget in accordance with the service level agreement entered into under Section 531.704 and applicable law.

(c) The commission shall submit the office's appropriations request and, if required by or under law, operating budget to the legislature. The request or budget is not subject to review, alteration, or modification by the commission or executive commissioner before submission to the legislature.

Sec. 531.737. COSTS. (a) The inspector general shall maintain information regarding the cost of reviews.

(b) The inspector general may cooperate with appropriate administrative and prosecutorial agencies, including the office of the attorney general, in recovering costs incurred under this subchapter from nongovernmental entities, including contractors or individuals involved in:

(1) violations of applicable state or federal rules or statutes;

(2) abusive or willful misconduct; or

(3) violations of a provider contract or program policy.

(c) In criminal cases the inspector general and the Office of Attorney General shall cooperate to ensure that all appropriate evidence is submitted to the court in all criminal prosecutions towards ensuring that restitution is ordered, to include the overpayment and the costs incurred under this subchapter, as a condition of probation or as a condition of parole.

Sec. 531.738. ADMINISTRATIVE OR CIVIL PENALTY; INJUNCTION. (a) The office may:

(1) act for a health and human services agency in the assessment by the office of administrative or civil penalties the agency is authorized to assess under applicable law; and

(2) request that the attorney general obtain an injunction to prevent a person from disposing of an asset identified by the office as potentially subject to recovery by the office due to the person's fraud, waste, or abuse.

(b) If the office imposes an administrative or civil penalty under Subsection (a) for a health and human services agency:

(1) the health and human services agency may not impose an administrative or civil penalty against the same person for the same violation; and

(2) the office shall impose the penalty under applicable rules of the office, this subchapter, and applicable laws and rules governing the imposition of a penalty by the health and human services agency.

Sec. 531.739. PEACE OFFICER INVESTIGATORS. (a) An investigator assigned to conduct investigations for the office may be a commissioned peace officer. The number of commissioned peace officers assigned to conduct investigations may not exceed 15 percent of the office's full-time equivalent positions.

(b) A commissioned peace officer or otherwise designated law enforcement officer employed by the office is not entitled to supplemental benefits from the law enforcement and custodial officer supplemental retirement fund unless the officer transfers from a position, without a break in service, that qualifies for supplemental retirement benefits from the fund.

SECTION 2. Section 531.001, Government Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (4-a) to read as follows:

(4-a) "Office of inspector general" means the office of inspector general established under Subchapter R.

SECTION 3. Section 531.008(c), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The executive commissioner shall establish the following divisions and offices within the commission:

(1) the eligibility services division to make eligibility determinations for services provided through the commission or a health and human services agency related to:

(A) the child health plan program;

(B) the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code;

(C) the medical assistance program under Chapter 32, Human Resources Code;

(D) the nutritional assistance programs under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code;

(E) long-term care services, as defined by Section 22.0011, Human Resources Code;

(F) community-based support services identified or provided in accordance with Section 531.02481; and

(G) other health and human services programs, as appropriate;

(2) [the office of inspector general to perform fraud and abuse investigation and enforcement functions as provided by Subchapter C and other law;

[(3)] the office of the ombudsman to:

(A) provide dispute resolution services for the commission and the health and human services agencies; and

(B) perform consumer protection functions related to health and human services;

(3) [(4)] a purchasing division as provided by Section 531.017; and

(4) [(5)] an internal audit division to conduct a program of internal auditing in accordance with [Government Code,] Chapter 2102.

SECTION 4. Sections 531.103(a), (c), and (d), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The [commission, acting through the commission's] office of inspector general[,] and the office of the attorney general shall enter into a memorandum of understanding to develop and implement joint written procedures for processing cases of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse, as those terms are defined by state or federal law, or other violations of state or federal law under the state Medicaid program or other program administered by the commission or a health and human services agency, including the financial assistance program under Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, a nutritional assistance program under Chapter 33, Human Resources Code, and the child health plan program. The memorandum of understanding shall require:

(1) the office of inspector general and the office of the attorney general to set priorities and guidelines for referring cases to appropriate state agencies for investigation, prosecution, or other disposition to enhance deterrence of fraud, waste, abuse, or other violations of state or federal law, including a violation of Chapter 102, Occupations Code, in the programs and maximize the imposition of penalties, the recovery of money, and the successful prosecution of cases;

(1-a) the office of inspector general to refer each case of suspected provider fraud, waste, or abuse to the office of the attorney general not later than the 20th business day after the date the office of inspector general determines that the existence of fraud, waste, or abuse is reasonably indicated;

(1-b) the office of the attorney general to take appropriate action in response to each case referred to the attorney general, which action may include direct initiation of prosecution, with the consent of the appropriate local district or county attorney, direct initiation of civil litigation, referral to an appropriate United States attorney, a district attorney, or a county attorney, or referral to a collections agency for initiation of civil litigation or other appropriate action;

(2) the office of inspector general to keep detailed records for cases processed by that office or the office of the attorney general, including information on the total number of cases processed and, for each case:

(A) the agency and division to which the case is referred for investigation;

(B) the date on which the case is referred; and

(C) the nature of the suspected fraud, waste, or abuse;

(3) the office of inspector general to notify each appropriate division of the office of the attorney general of each case referred by the office of inspector general;

(4) the office of the attorney general to ensure that information relating to each case investigated by that office is available to each division of the office with responsibility for investigating suspected fraud, waste, or abuse;

(5) the office of the attorney general to notify the office of inspector general of each case the attorney general declines to prosecute or prosecutes unsuccessfully;

(6) representatives of the office of inspector general and of the office of the attorney general to meet not less than quarterly to share case information and determine the appropriate agency and division to investigate each case; and

(7) the office of inspector general and the office of the attorney general to submit information requested by the comptroller about each resolved case for the comptroller's use in improving fraud detection.

(c) The office of inspector general [commission] and the office of the attorney general shall jointly prepare and submit a semiannual report to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and comptroller concerning the activities of the office of the attorney general and the office of inspector general [those agencies] in detecting and preventing fraud, waste, and abuse under the state Medicaid program or other program administered by the commission or a health and human services agency. The report may be consolidated with any other report relating to the same subject matter the office of inspector general [commission] or office of the attorney general is required to submit under other law.

(d) The office of inspector general [commission] and the office of the attorney general may not assess or collect investigation and attorney's fees on behalf of any state agency unless the office of inspector general, the office of the attorney general, or another [other] state agency collects a penalty, restitution, or other reimbursement payment to the state.

SECTION 5. Section 531.1031(a)(2), Government Code, is amended o read as follows:

(2) "Participating agency" means:

(A) the Medicaid fraud enforcement divisions of the office of the attorney general; [and]

(B) each board or agency with authority to license, register, regulate, or certify a health care professional or managed care organization that may participate in the state Medicaid program; and

(C) the office of inspector general.

SECTION 6. Section 531.104(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The office of inspector general [commission] and the attorney general shall execute a memorandum of understanding under which the office [commission] shall provide investigative support as required to the attorney general in connection with cases under Subchapter B, Chapter 36, Human Resources Code. Under the memorandum of understanding, the office [commission] shall assist in performing preliminary investigations and ongoing investigations for actions prosecuted by the attorney general under Subchapter C, Chapter 36, Human Resources Code.

SECTION 7. Section 531.105, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 531.105. FRAUD DETECTION TRAINING. [(a)] The office of inspector general [commission] shall develop and implement a program to provide annual training to contractors who process Medicaid claims and appropriate staff of the health and human services agencies [Texas Department of Health and the Texas Department of Human Services] in identifying potential cases of fraud, waste, or abuse under the state Medicaid program. The training provided to the contractors and staff must include clear criteria that specify:

(1) the circumstances under which a person should refer a potential case to the office [commission]; and

(2) the time by which a referral should be made.

[(b) The Texas Department of Health and the Texas Department of Human Services, in cooperation with the commission, shall periodically set a goal of the number of potential cases of fraud, waste, or abuse under the state Medicaid program that each agency will attempt to identify and refer to the commission. The commission shall include information on the agencies' goals and the success of each agency in meeting the agency's goal in the report required by Section 531.103(c).]

SECTION 8. Sections 531.106(f) and (g), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(f) Cases [The commission shall refer cases] identified by the technology shall be referred to the [commission's] office of inspector general [investigations and enforcement] or the office of the attorney general, as appropriate.

(g) Each month, the learning or neural network technology implemented under this section must match bureau of vital statistics death records with Medicaid claims filed by a provider. If the commission or the office of inspector general determines that a provider has filed a claim for services provided to a person after the person's date of death, as determined by the bureau of vital statistics death records, [the commission shall refer] the case shall be referred for investigation to the office of inspector general or the office of the attorney general, as appropriate [to the commission's office of investigations and enforcement].

SECTION 9. Section 531.1061, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 531.1061. FRAUD INVESTIGATION TRACKING SYSTEM. (a) The office of inspector general [commission] shall use an automated fraud investigation tracking system [through the commission's office of investigations and enforcement] to monitor the progress of an investigation of suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or insufficient quality of care under the state Medicaid program.

(b) For each case of suspected fraud, waste, abuse, or insufficient quality of care identified by the learning or neural network technology required under Section 531.106, the automated fraud investigation tracking system must:

(1) receive electronically transferred records relating to the identified case from the learning or neural network technology;

(2) record the details and monitor the status of an investigation of the identified case, including maintaining a record of the beginning and completion dates for each phase of the case investigation;

(3) generate documents and reports related to the status of the case investigation; and

(4) generate standard letters to a provider regarding the status or outcome of an investigation.

(c) Each [The commission shall require each] health and human services agency that performs any aspect of the state Medicaid program shall [to] participate in the implementation and use of the automated fraud investigation tracking system as directed by the office.

SECTION 10. Section 531.1062(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The office of inspector general [commission] shall use an automated recovery monitoring system to monitor the collections process for a settled case of fraud, waste, abuse, or insufficient quality of care under the state Medicaid program.

SECTION 11. Sections 531.107(a) and (f), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The Medicaid and Public Assistance Fraud Oversight Task Force advises and assists the [commission and the commission's] office of inspector general [investigations and enforcement] in improving the efficiency of fraud investigations and collections.

(f) At least once each fiscal quarter, the [commission's] office of inspector general [investigations and enforcement] shall provide to the task force:

(1) information detailing:

(A) the number of fraud referrals made to the office and the origin of each referral;

(B) the time spent investigating each case;

(C) the number of cases investigated each month, by program and region;

(D) the dollar value of each fraud case that results in a criminal conviction; and

(E) the number of cases the office rejects and the reason for rejection, by region; and

(2) any additional information the task force requires.

SECTION 12. Sections 531.108 and 531.109, Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

Sec. 531.108. FRAUD PREVENTION. (a) The [commission's] office of inspector general [investigations and enforcement] shall compile and disseminate accurate information and statistics relating to:

(1) fraud prevention; and

(2) post-fraud referrals received and accepted or rejected from the office's [commission's] case management system or the case management system of a health and human services agency.

(b) The office of inspector general [commission] shall[:

[(1)] aggressively publicize successful fraud prosecutions and fraud-prevention programs through all available means, including the use of statewide press releases [issued in coordination with the Texas Department of Human Services; and

[(2) ensure that a toll-free hotline for reporting suspected fraud in programs administered by the commission or a health and human services agency is maintained and promoted, either by the commission or by a health and human services agency].

(c) The office of inspector general [commission] shall develop a cost-effective method of identifying applicants for public assistance in counties bordering other states and in metropolitan areas selected by the office [commission] who are already receiving benefits in other states. If economically feasible, the office [commission] may develop a computerized matching system.

(d) The office of inspector general [commission] shall:

(1) verify automobile information that is used as criteria for eligibility; and

(2) establish a computerized matching system with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to prevent an incarcerated individual from illegally receiving public assistance benefits administered by the commission.

(e) The office of inspector general [commission] shall submit to the governor and Legislative Budget Board a semiannual report on the results of computerized matching of office and commission information with information from neighboring states, if any, and information from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. The report may be consolidated with any other report relating to the same subject matter the office [commission] is required to submit under other law.

Sec. 531.109. SELECTION AND REVIEW OF CLAIMS. (a) The office of inspector general [commission] shall annually select and review a random, statistically valid sample of all claims for reimbursement under the state Medicaid program, including the vendor drug program, for potential cases of fraud, waste, or abuse.

(b) In conducting the annual review of claims under Subsection (a), the office of inspector general [commission] may directly contact a recipient by telephone or in person, or both, to verify that the services for which a claim for reimbursement was submitted by a provider were actually provided to the recipient.

(c) Based on the results of the annual review of claims, the office of inspector general and the commission shall determine the types of claims at which office and commission resources for fraud, waste, and abuse detection should be primarily directed.

SECTION 13. Sections 531.110(a), (c), (d), (e), and (f), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The office of inspector general [commission] shall conduct electronic data matches for a recipient of assistance under the state Medicaid program at least quarterly to verify the identity, income, employment status, and other factors that affect the eligibility of the recipient.

(c) The commission and other health and human services agencies [Texas Department of Human Services] shall cooperate with the office of inspector general [commission] by providing data or any other assistance necessary to conduct the electronic data matches required by this section.

(d) The office of inspector general [commission] may contract with a public or private entity to conduct the electronic data matches required by this section.

(e) The office of inspector general [commission], or a health and human services agency designated by the office [commission], by rule shall establish procedures to verify the electronic data matches conducted by the office [commission] under this section. Not later than the 20th day after the date the electronic data match is verified, the commission and other health and human services agencies [Texas Department of Human Services] shall remove from eligibility a recipient who is determined to be ineligible for assistance under the state Medicaid program.

(f) The office of inspector general [commission] shall report biennially to the legislature the results of the electronic data matching program. The report must include a summary of the number of applicants who were removed from eligibility for assistance under the state Medicaid program as a result of an electronic data match conducted under this section.

SECTION 14. Section 531.1112, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 531.1112. STUDY CONCERNING INCREASED USE OF TECHNOLOGY TO STRENGTHEN FRAUD DETECTION AND DETERRENCE; IMPLEMENTATION. (a) The commission and the [commission's] office of inspector general shall jointly study the feasibility of increasing the use of technology to strengthen the detection and deterrence of fraud in the state Medicaid program. The study must include the determination of the feasibility of using technology to verify a person's citizenship and eligibility for coverage.

(b) The commission shall implement any methods the commission and the [commission's] office of inspector general determine are effective at strengthening fraud detection and deterrence.

SECTION 15. Section 531.113, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 531.113. MANAGED CARE ORGANIZATIONS: SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE UNITS OR CONTRACTS. (a) Each managed care organization that provides or arranges for the provision of health care services to an individual under a government-funded program, including the Medicaid program and the child health plan program, shall:

(1) establish and maintain a special investigative unit within the managed care organization to investigate fraudulent claims and other types of program waste or abuse by recipients and service providers; or

(2) contract with another entity for the investigation of fraudulent claims and other types of program waste or abuse by recipients and service providers.

(b) Each managed care organization subject to this section shall adopt a plan to prevent and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse and annually file that plan with the [commission's] office of inspector general for approval. The plan must include:

(1) a description of the managed care organization's procedures for detecting and investigating possible acts of fraud, waste, or abuse;

(2) a description of the managed care organization's procedures for the mandatory reporting of possible acts of fraud, waste, or abuse to the [commission's] office of inspector general;

(3) a description of the managed care organization's procedures for educating and training personnel to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse;

(4) the name, address, telephone number, and fax number of the individual responsible for carrying out the plan;

(5) a description or chart outlining the organizational arrangement of the managed care organization's personnel responsible for investigating and reporting possible acts of fraud, waste, or abuse;

(6) a detailed description of the results of investigations of fraud, waste, and abuse conducted by the managed care organization's special investigative unit or the entity with which the managed care organization contracts under Subsection (a)(2); and

(7) provisions for maintaining the confidentiality of any patient information relevant to an investigation of fraud, waste, or abuse.

(c) If a managed care organization contracts for the investigation of fraudulent claims and other types of program waste or abuse by recipients and service providers under Subsection (a)(2), the managed care organization shall file with the [commission's] office of inspector general:

(1) a copy of the written contract;

(2) the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and fax numbers of the principals of the entity with which the managed care organization has contracted; and

(3) a description of the qualifications of the principals of the entity with which the managed care organization has contracted.

(d) The [commission's] office of inspector general may review the records of a managed care organization to determine compliance with this section.

(e) The inspector general [commissioner] shall adopt rules as necessary to accomplish the purposes of this section.

SECTION 16. Sections 531.114(b) and (g), Government Code, are amended to read as follows:

(b) If after an investigation the office of inspector general [commission] determines that a person violated Subsection (a), the office [commission] shall:

(1) notify the person of the alleged violation not later than the 30th day after the date the office [commission] completes the investigation and provide the person with an opportunity for a hearing on the matter; or

(2) refer the matter to the appropriate prosecuting attorney for prosecution.

(g) The inspector general [commission] shall adopt rules as necessary to implement this section.

SECTION 17. Section 533.005(a), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) A contract between a managed care organization and the commission for the organization to provide health care services to recipients must contain:

(1) procedures to ensure accountability to the state for the provision of health care services, including procedures for financial reporting, quality assurance, utilization review, and assurance of contract and subcontract compliance;

(2) capitation rates that ensure the cost-effective provision of quality health care;

(3) a requirement that the managed care organization provide ready access to a person who assists recipients in resolving issues relating to enrollment, plan administration, education and training, access to services, and grievance procedures;

(4) a requirement that the managed care organization provide ready access to a person who assists providers in resolving issues relating to payment, plan administration, education and training, and grievance procedures;

(5) a requirement that the managed care organization provide information and referral about the availability of educational, social, and other community services that could benefit a recipient;

(6) procedures for recipient outreach and education;

(7) a requirement that the managed care organization make payment to a physician or provider for health care services rendered to a recipient under a managed care plan not later than the 45th day after the date a claim for payment is received with documentation reasonably necessary for the managed care organization to process the claim, or within a period, not to exceed 60 days, specified by a written agreement between the physician or provider and the managed care organization;

(8) a requirement that the commission, on the date of a recipient's enrollment in a managed care plan issued by the managed care organization, inform the organization of the recipient's Medicaid certification date;

(9) a requirement that the managed care organization comply with Section 533.006 as a condition of contract retention and renewal;

(10) a requirement that the managed care organization provide the information required by Section 533.012 and otherwise comply and cooperate with the [commission's] office of inspector general;

(11) a requirement that the managed care organization's usages of out-of-network providers or groups of out-of-network providers may not exceed limits for those usages relating to total inpatient admissions, total outpatient services, and emergency room admissions determined by the commission;

(12) if the commission finds that a managed care organization has violated Subdivision (11), a requirement that the managed care organization reimburse an out-of-network provider for health care services at a rate that is equal to the allowable rate for those services, as determined under Sections 32.028 and 32.0281, Human Resources Code;

(13) a requirement that the organization use advanced practice nurses in addition to physicians as primary care providers to increase the availability of primary care providers in the organization's provider network;

(14) a requirement that the managed care organization reimburse the state for any overpayments resulting from fraud, waste or abuse in the Medicaid program, the child health plan program, or another government funded program.

(15) a requirement that the managed care organization reimburse a federally qualified health center or rural health clinic for health care services provided to a recipient outside of regular business hours, including on a weekend day or holiday, at a rate that is equal to the allowable rate for those services as determined under Section 32.028, Human Resources Code, if the recipient does not have a referral from the recipient's primary care physician; and

(16) a requirement that the managed care organization develop, implement, and maintain a system for tracking and resolving all provider appeals related to claims payment, including a process that will require:

(A) a tracking mechanism to document the status and final disposition of each provider's claims payment appeal;

(B) the contracting with physicians who are not network providers and who are of the same or related specialty as the appealing physician to resolve claims disputes related to denial on the basis of medical necessity that remain unresolved subsequent to a provider appeal; and

(C) the determination of the physician resolving the dispute to be binding on the managed care organization and provider.

SECTION 18. Section 533.012(c), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(c) The [commission's] office of inspector general [investigations and enforcement] shall review the information submitted under this section as appropriate in the investigation of fraud in the Medicaid managed care program.

SECTION 4. Section 531.002(17), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(17) "State developmental center [school]" means a state-supported and structured residential facility operated by the Department of Aging and Disability Services [department] to provide to clients with mental retardation a variety of services, including medical treatment, specialized therapy, and training in the acquisition of personal, social, and vocational skills.

Sec. 531.0021. REFERENCE TO STATE SCHOOL OR SUPERINTENDENT. (a) A reference in law to a "state school" means a state development center.

(b) A reference in law to a "superintendent," to the extent the term is intended to refer to the person in charge of a state developmental center, means the director of a state developmental center.

SECTION 6. Section 532.001(b), Health and Safety Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The Department of Aging and Disability Services and the Department of State Health Services [department] also include [includes] community services operated by those departments [the department] and the following facilities, appropriate:

(1) the central office of the department;

(2) the Austin State Hospital;

(3) the Big Spring State Hospital;

(4) the Kerrville State Hospital;

(5) the Rusk State Hospital;

(6) the San Antonio State Hospital;

(7) the Terrell State Hospital;

(8) the North Texas State Hospital;

(9) the Abilene State Developmental Center [School];

(10) the Austin State Developmental Center [School];

(11) the Brenham State Developmental Center [School];

(12) the Corpus Christi State Developmental Center [School];

(13) the Denton State Developmental Center [School];

(14) the Lubbock State Developmental Center [School];

(15) the Lufkin State Developmental Center [School];

(16) the Mexia State Developmental Center [School];

(17) the Richmond State Developmental Center [School];

(18) the San Angelo State Developmental Center [School];

(19) the San Antonio State Developmental Center [School];

(20) the El Paso State Developmental Center;

(21) the Rio Grande State Center; and

(22) the Waco Center for Youth.

SECTION 7. Section 551.022, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(e) This section does not apply to a state developmental center or the director of a state developmental center.

SECTION 8. Subchapter B, Chapter 551, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 551.0225 to read as follows:

Sec. 551.0225. POWERS AND DUTIES OF STATE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER DIRECTOR. (a) The director of a state developmental center is the administrative head of the center.

(b) The director of a state developmental center has the custody of and responsibility to care for the buildings, grounds, furniture, and other property relating to the center.

(c) The director of a state developmental center shall:

(1) oversee the admission and discharge of residents and clients;

(2) keep a register of all residents and clients admitted to or discharged from the center;

(3) supervise repairs and improvements to the center;

(4) ensure that center money is spent judiciously and economically;

(5) keep an accurate and detailed account of all money received and spent, stating the source of the money and on whom and the purpose for which the money is spent; and

(6) keep a full record of the center's operations.

(d) In accordance with departmental rules and operating procedures, the director of a state developmental center may:

(1) establish policy to govern the state developmental center that the director considers will best promote the residents' interest and welfare;

(2) hire subordinate employees and set their salaries, in the absence of other law; and

(3) dismiss a subordinate employee.

SECTION 9. Subtitle B, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Chapter 555 to read as follows:

SECTION 5. Chapter 531, Health and Safety Code, is amended by adding Section 531.0021 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 555. STATE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS

SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 555.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:

(1) "Client" means a person with mental retardation who receives ICF-MR services from a state developmental center.

(2) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(3) "Complaint" means information received by the office of independent ombudsman regarding a possible violation of a right of a resident or client of a state developmental center and includes information received regarding a failure by a state developmental center to comply with the department's policies and procedures relating to the community living options information process or related laws.

(4) "Department" means the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

(5) "Developmental center employee" means an employee of a state developmental center.

(6) "Direct care employee" means a developmental center employee who provides direct delivery of services to a resident or client.

(7) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.

(8) "Independent ombudsman" means the individual who has been appointed to the office of independent ombudsman.

(9) "Office" means the office of independent ombudsman established under Subchapter C.

(10) "Resident" means a person with mental retardation who resides in a state developmental center.

(11) "State developmental center" has the meaning assigned by Section 531.002.

Sec. 555.002. STATE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER FOR HIGH-RISK RESIDENTS. (a) The department shall establish a separate state developmental center for the care of residents who present a high risk of dangerous or violent behavior as provided by Subsections (b) and (c). The department shall designate an existing state developmental center for those high-risk residents.

(b) A resident is a high-risk resident if the person:

(1) was committed to or transferred to a state developmental center under Chapter 46B or 46C, Code of Criminal Procedure, as a result of being charged with or convicted of an offense listed in Subsection (c); or

(2) is a child committed to or transferred to a state developmental center under Chapter 55, Family Code, as a result of being alleged by petition or having been found to have engaged in delinquent conduct constituting an offense listed in Subsection (c).

(c) A resident may be considered a high-risk resident if the person:

(1) has inflicted, attempted to inflict, or made a serious threat of inflicting substantial physical harm to the resident's self or to another while committed to a state developmental center; or

(2) has been convicted of or charged with any of the following offenses:

(A) an offense under Chapter 19, Penal Code (criminal homicide);

(B) an offense under Chapter 20, Penal Code (kidnapping and unlawful restraint);

(C) an offense under Section 21.02, Penal Code (continuous sexual abuse of young child or children);

(D) an offense under Section 22.011, Penal Code (sexual assault);

(E) an offense under Section 22.02, Penal Code (aggravated assault);

(F) an offense under Section 22.021, Penal Code (aggravated sexual assault);

(G) an offense under Section 22.04, Penal Code (injury to a child, elderly individual, or disabled individual);

(H) an offense under Section 28.02, Penal Code (arson);

(I) an offense under Section 29.02, Penal Code (robbery);

(J) an offense under Section 29.03, Penal Code (aggravated robbery); or

(K) a conviction under the laws of another state, federal law, or the Uniform Code of Military Justice for an offense containing elements that are substantially similar to the elements of an offense listed by this subdivision.

(d) In establishing a state developmental center designated for high-risk residents, the department shall:

(1) transfer a high-risk resident already residing in a state developmental center to the designated state developmental center;

(2) place high-risk residents in separate homes at the designated state developmental center based on whether the high-risk resident is:

(A) an adult or a person younger than 18 years of age; or

(B) male or female;

(3) place all high-risk residents committed to or transferred to a state developmental center in the designated state developmental center; and

(4) provide training regarding the service delivery system for high-risk residents to direct care employees of the designated state developmental center.

(e) A resident who is transferred to the designated state developmental center is entitled to an administrative hearing regarding a transfer of the resident as provided by Section 594.014.

(f) The department shall ensure that the designated state developmental center complies with the requirements for ICF-MR certification under the Medicaid program as appropriate.

[Sections 555.003-555.020 reserved for expansion]

Sec. 555.024. DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER EMPLOYEE TRAINING. (a) Before a developmental center employee begins to perform the employee's duties without direct supervision, the department shall provide the employee with competency training and a course of instruction about the general duties of a developmental center employee. The department shall ensure the basic developmental center employee competency course focuses on:

(1) the uniqueness of the individuals the developmental center employee serves;

(2) techniques for improving quality of life for and promoting the health and safety of individuals with mental retardation; and

(3) the conduct expected of developmental center employees.

(b) The department shall ensure the training required by Subsection (a) provides instruction and information regarding the following topics:

(1) the general operation and layout of the state developmental center, including armed intruder lock down procedures;

(2) an introduction to mental retardation;

(3) an introduction to mental illness and dual diagnosis;

(4) the rights of individuals with mental retardation who receive services from the department;

(5) respecting personal choices made by residents and clients;

(6) the safe and proper use of restraints;

(7) recognizing and reporting:

(A) abuse, neglect, and exploitation of individuals with mental retardation;

(B) unusual incidents;

(C) reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use in the workplace;

(D) workplace violence; and

(E) sexual harassment in the workplace;

(8) preventing and treating infection;

(9) first aid;

(10) cardiopulmonary resuscitation;

(11) the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (29 U.S.C. Section 1181 et seq.); and

(12) the rights of developmental center employees.

(c) In addition to the training required by Subsection (a) and before a direct care employee begins to perform the direct care employee's duties without direct supervision, the department shall provide a direct care employee with training and instructional information regarding the following topics:

(1) prevention and management of aggressive or high-risk behavior;

(2) observing and reporting changes in behavior, appearance, or health of residents and clients;

(3) positive behavior support;

(4) emergency response;

(5) person-directed plans;

(6) seizure safety;

(7) techniques for:

(A) lifting;

(B) positioning; and

(C) movement and mobility;

(8) working with aging residents and clients;

(9) assisting residents and clients:

(A) who have a visual impairment;

(B) who have a hearing deficit; or

(C) who require the use of adaptive devices and specialized equipment;

(10) communicating with residents and clients who use augmentative and alternative devices for communication;

(11) assisting residents and clients with personal hygiene;

(12) recognizing appropriate food textures;

(13) using proper feeding techniques to assist residents and clients with meals; and

(14) physical and nutritional management plans.

Sec. 555.025. VIDEO SURVEILLANCE. (a) In this section, "private space" means a place in a state developmental center in which a resident or client has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including:

(1) a bedroom;

(2) a bathroom;

(3) a place in which a resident or client receives medical or nursing services;

(4) a place in which a resident or client meets privately with visitors; or

(5) a place in which a resident or client privately makes phone calls.

(b) The department shall install and operate video surveillance equipment in a state developmental center for the purpose of detecting and preventing the exploitation or abuse of residents and clients.

(c) The department may not install or operate video surveillance equipment in a private space or in a location in which video surveillance equipment can capture images within a private space.

(d) The department shall ensure the use of video surveillance equipment under this section complies with federal requirements for ICF-MR certification.

SUBCHAPTER C. OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT OMBUDSMAN FOR STATE

DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS

Sec. 555.051. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE. The office of independent ombudsman is established for the purpose of investigating, evaluating, and securing the rights of the residents and clients of state developmental centers. The office is administratively attached to the department. The department shall provide administrative support and resources to the office as necessary for the office to perform its duties.

Sec. 555.052. INDEPENDENCE. The independent ombudsman in the performance of the ombudsman's duties and powers under this subchapter acts independently of the department.

Sec. 555.053. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT OMBUDSMAN. The governor shall appoint the independent ombudsman.

Sec. 555.054. ASSISTANT OMBUDSMEN. The independent ombudsman shall:

(1) hire assistant ombudsmen to perform, under the direction of the independent ombudsman, the same duties and exercise the same powers as the independent ombudsman; and

(2) station an assistant ombudsman at each state developmental center.

Sec. 555.055. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. A person may not serve as independent ombudsman or as an assistant ombudsman if the person or the person's spouse:

(1) is employed by or participates in the management of a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the department;

(2) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, any interest in a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the department; or

(3) is required to register as a lobbyist under Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities or compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of the department.

Sec. 555.056. REPORT. (a) The independent ombudsman shall submit on a biannual basis to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report that is both aggregated and disaggregated by individual state developmental center and describes:

(1) the work of the independent ombudsman;

(2) the results of any review or investigation undertaken by the independent ombudsman, including reviews or investigation of services contracted by the department; and

(3) any recommendations that the independent ombudsman has in relation to the duties of the independent ombudsman.

(b) The independent ombudsman shall ensure that information submitted in a report under Subsection (a) does not permit the identification of an individual.

(c) The independent ombudsman shall immediately report to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives any particularly serious or flagrant:

(1) case of abuse or injury of a resident or client about which the independent ombudsman is made aware;

(2) problem concerning the administration of a state developmental center program or operation; or

(3) interference by a state developmental center, the department, or the commission with an investigation conducted by the independent ombudsman.

Sec. 555.057. COMMUNICATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) The department shall allow any resident or client, authorized representative of a resident or client, family member of a resident or client, or other interested party to communicate with the independent ombudsman or an assistant ombudsman. The communication:

(1) may be in person, by mail, or by any other means; and

(2) is confidential and privileged.

(b) The records of the independent ombudsman are confidential, except that the independent ombudsman shall:

(1) report to the Department of Family and Protective Services regarding a communication that may involve the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client;

(2) report to the regulatory services division of the department regarding a communication that may involve a violation of an ICF-MR standard or condition of participation; and

(3) disclose the ombudsman's nonprivileged records if required by a court order on a showing of good cause.

(c) The independent ombudsman may make reports relating to an investigation conducted by the ombudsman public after the investigation is complete but only if the name and any other personally identifiable information of a resident or client, authorized representative of a resident or client, family member of a resident or client, state developmental center, and employee of a state developmental center are redacted from the report and remain confidential.

(d) The name, address, or other personally identifiable information of a person who files a complaint with the office of independent ombudsman, information generated by the office of independent ombudsman in the course of an investigation, and confidential records obtained by the office of independent ombudsman are confidential and not subject to disclosure under Chapter 552, Government Code, except as provided by this section.

Sec. 555.058. PROMOTION OF AWARENESS OF OFFICE. The independent ombudsman shall promote awareness among the public, residents, clients, and employees of state developmental centers of:

(1) how the office may be contacted;

(2) the purpose of the office; and

(3) the services the office provides.

Sec. 555.059. DUTIES AND POWERS. (a) The independent ombudsman shall:

(1) evaluate the delivery of services to residents and clients to ensure that the rights of residents and clients are fully observed;

(2) refer a complaint alleging the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client to the Department of Family and Protective Services for investigation;

(3) refer a complaint alleging a possible violation of an ICF-MR standard or condition of participation to the regulatory services division of the department;

(4) refer a complaint alleging a criminal offense, other than an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client, to the commission's office of inspector general;

(5) conduct investigations of complaints, other than complaints alleging criminal offenses or the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client, if the office determines that:

(A) a resident or client or the resident's or client's family may be in need of assistance from the office; or

(B) a complaint raises the possibility of a systemic issue in the state developmental center's provision of services;

(6) conduct semiannual on-site audits, including meetings with residents and employees of the state developmental center, of each state developmental center's policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that each resident and client is encouraged to exercise the resident's or client's rights, including:

(A) the right to file a complaint; and

(B) the right to due process;

(7) prepare and deliver an annual report regarding the findings of each audit to the:

(A) executive commissioner;

(B) commissioner;

(C) Aging and Disability Services Council;

(D) governor;

(E) lieutenant governor;

(F) speaker of the house of representatives;

(G) standing committees of the senate and house of representatives with primary jurisdiction over state developmental centers; and

(H) state auditor;

(8) require a state developmental center to provide access to all records, data, and other information under the control of the center that the independent ombudsman determines is necessary to investigate a complaint or to conduct an audit under this section;

(9) review all final reports produced by the Department of Family and Protective Services and the regulatory services division of the department regarding a complaint referred by the independent ombudsman;

(10) provide assistance to a resident, client, authorized representative of a resident or client, or family member of a resident or client who the independent ombudsman determines is in need of assistance, including advocating with an agency, provider, or other person in the best interests of the resident or client; and

(11) make appropriate referrals under any of the duties and powers listed in this subsection.

(b) The independent ombudsman may apprise a person who is interested in a resident's or client's welfare of the rights of the resident or client.

(c) To assess whether a resident's or client's rights have been violated, the independent ombudsman may, in any matter that does not involve an alleged criminal offense or the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client, contact or consult with an administrator, employee, resident, client, family member of a resident or client, expert, or other individual in the course of the investigation or to secure information.

(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, the independent ombudsman may not investigate an alleged criminal offense or the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client.

Sec. 555.060. RETALIATION PROHIBITED. The department or a state developmental center may not retaliate against a department employee or employee of a state developmental center who in good faith makes a complaint to the office of independent ombudsman or cooperates with the office in an investigation.

Sec. 555.061. TOLL-FREE NUMBER. (a) The office shall establish a permanent, toll-free number for the purpose of receiving any information concerning the violation of a right of a resident or client.

(b) The office shall ensure that:

(1) the toll-free number is prominently displayed in the main administration area of a state developmental center and in each home in which a resident lives or a client receives services; and

(2) a resident, a client, the authorized representative of a resident, and an employee of a state developmental center have confidential access to a telephone for the purpose of calling the toll-free number.

SECTION 19. Section 21.014(b), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The [person employed by the department as] inspector general appointed under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code, shall make reports to and consult with the agency director [chairman of the board] regarding:

(1) the selection of internal audit topics;

(2) the establishment of internal audit priorities; and

(3) the findings of each regular or special internal audit initiative.

SECTION 20. Section 32.003, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Subdivision (5) to read as follows:

(5) "Office of inspector general" means the office of inspector general established under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code.

SECTION 21. Section 32.0291, Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 32.0291. PREPAYMENT REVIEWS AND POSTPAYMENT HOLDS.

(a) Notwithstanding any other law, the office of inspector general or department may:

(1) perform a prepayment review of a claim for reimbursement under the medical assistance program to determine whether the claim involves fraud, waste, or abuse; and

(2) as necessary to perform that review, withhold payment of the claim for not more than five working days without notice to the person submitting the claim.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law, the office of inspector general [department] may impose a postpayment hold on payment of future claims submitted by a provider if the office [department] has prima facie evidence that the provider has committed fraud, waste, abuse, or wilful misrepresentation regarding a claim for reimbursement or cost report under the medical assistance program. The office [department] must notify the provider of the postpayment hold not later than the fifth working day after the date the hold is imposed.

(c) On timely written request by a provider subject to a postpayment hold under Subsection (b), the office of inspector general [department] shall file a request with the State Office of Administrative Hearings for an expedited administrative hearing regarding the hold. The provider must request an expedited hearing under this subsection not later than the 10th day after the date the provider receives notice from the office of inspector general [department] under Subsection (b). The office of inspector general [department] shall discontinue the hold unless the office [department] makes a prima facie showing at the hearing that the evidence relied on by the office of inspector general [department] in imposing the hold is relevant, credible, and material to the issue of fraud, waste, abuse, or wilful misrepresentation.

(d) The inspector general [department] shall adopt rules that allow a provider subject to a postpayment hold under Subsection (b) to seek an informal resolution of the issues identified by the office of inspector general [department] in the notice provided under that subsection. A provider must seek an informal resolution under this subsection not later than the deadline prescribed by Subsection (c). A provider's decision to seek an informal resolution under this subsection does not extend the time by which the provider must request an expedited administrative hearing under Subsection (c). However, a hearing initiated under Subsection (c) shall be stayed at the office's [department's] request until the informal resolution process is completed.

SECTION 22. Section 32.032, Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 32.032. PREVENTION AND DETECTION OF FRAUD, WASTE, AND ABUSE. The inspector general [department] shall adopt reasonable rules for minimizing the opportunity for fraud, waste, and abuse, for establishing and maintaining methods for detecting and identifying situations in which a question of fraud, waste, or abuse in the program may exist, and for referring cases where fraud, waste, or abuse appears to exist to the appropriate law enforcement agencies for prosecution.

SECTION 23. Sections 32.0321(a) through (d), Human Resources Code, are amended to read as follows:

(a) The office of inspector general [department] by rule may recommend to the department and the department by rule may require that each provider of medical assistance in a provider type that has demonstrated significant potential for fraud, waste, or abuse to file with the department a surety bond in a reasonable amount. The office and the department by rule shall each require a provider of medical assistance to file with the department a surety bond in a reasonable amount if the office [department] identifies a pattern of suspected fraud, waste, or abuse involving criminal conduct relating to the provider's services under the medical assistance program that indicates the need for protection against potential future acts of fraud, waste, or abuse.

(b) The bond under Subsection (a) must be payable to the department to compensate the department for damages resulting from or penalties or fines imposed in connection with an act of fraud, waste, or abuse committed by the provider under the medical assistance program.

(c) Subject to Subsection (d) or (e), the office of inspector general and the department by rule may require each provider of medical assistance that establishes a resident's trust fund account to post a surety bond to secure the account. The bond must be payable to the department to compensate residents of the bonded provider for trust funds that are lost, stolen, or otherwise unaccounted for if the provider does not repay any deficiency in a resident's trust fund account to the person legally entitled to receive the funds.

(d) The office of inspector general and the department may not require the amount of a surety bond posted for a single facility provider under Subsection (c) to exceed the average of the total average monthly balance of all the provider's resident trust fund accounts for the 12-month period preceding the bond issuance or renewal date.

SECTION 24. Section 32.0322(a), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The office of inspector general and the department may obtain from any law enforcement or criminal justice agency the criminal history record information that relates to a provider under the medical assistance program or a person applying to enroll as a provider under the medical assistance program.

SECTION 25. Section 32.070(d), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(d) This section does not apply to a computerized audit conducted using the Medicaid Fraud Detection Audit System or an audit or investigation of fraud, waste, and abuse conducted by the Medicaid fraud control unit of the office of the attorney general, the office of the state auditor, the office of [the] inspector general, or the Office of Inspector General in the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

SECTION 26. Section 33.015(e), Human Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(e) The department shall require a person exempted under this section from making a personal appearance at department offices to provide verification of the person's entitlement to the exemption on initial eligibility certification and on each subsequent periodic eligibility recertification. If the person does not provide verification and the department considers the verification necessary to protect the integrity of the food stamp program, the department shall initiate a fraud referral to the [department's] office of inspector general established under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code.

SECTION 10. Section 48.252, Human Resources Code, is amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows:

(d) If an investigation under this section reveals evidence of the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client of a state developmental center as defined by Section 531.002, Health and Safety Code, and a caseworker of the department or a supervisor of a caseworker believes that the abuse, neglect, or exploitation is a criminal offense, the caseworker or supervisor shall immediately notify the Health and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general and promptly provide the Health and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general with a copy of the department's investigation report.

SECTION 11. Section 161.052, Human Resources Code, is amended by amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (e) to read as follows:

(b) The executive commissioner shall prepare and by rule adopt personnel standards. The executive commissioner shall adopt personnel standards for direct care employees at state developmental centers that are designed to ensure the safety of and a high standard of care for residents of a state developmental center.

(e) Subject to the availability of funds, the department shall prescribe the number of direct care employees at state developmental centers and the salaries for those employees necessary to attract and maintain quality employees. The commissioner shall ensure that policies regarding employees at state developmental centers are designed to reduce turnover and ensure continuity of care for residents.

SECTION 12. (a) As soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, and subject to the availability of funds, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall hire additional direct care employees at state developmental centers and increase the salaries for all direct care employees as necessary to attract and maintain quality employees.

(b) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Health and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general shall begin employing peace officers as required by Section 531.1022, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(c) Not later than September 1, 2014, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall designate a state developmental center for high-risk residents as required by Section 555.002, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(d) Not later than January 1, 2010, the Department of Aging and Disability Services shall develop the training required by Section 555.024, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

(e) The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall ensure that all developmental center employees and direct care employees receive the training required by Section 555.024, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, regardless of when the employee was hired, not later than September 1, 2010.

(g) Not later than December 1, 2009, the governor shall appoint the independent ombudsman as required by Section 555.053, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 14. (a) The change in law made by Section 551.022(e), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and the change in law made by Section 551.0225, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, apply to the dismissal of an employee of a state developmental center hired on or after the effective date of this Act.

(b) The dismissal of an employee of a state developmental center hired before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect when the employee was hired, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 15. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.

SECTION 30. (a) The repeal by this Act of Section 531.102, Government Code, does not affect the validity of a complaint, investigation, or other proceeding initiated under that section before the effective date of this Act. A complaint, investigation, or other proceeding initiated under that section is continued in accordance with the changes in law made by this Act.

(b) The repeal by this Act of Section 531.1021, Government Code, does not affect the validity of a subpoena issued under that section before the effective date of this Act. A subpoena issued under that section before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law that existed when the subpoena was issued, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.

SECTION 3031. (a) The person serving as inspector general under Section 531.102(a-1), Government Code, on the effective date of this Act shall serve as the inspector general appointed under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code, as added by this Act, until February 1, 2011, and may be reappointed under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, if the person has the qualifications required under that subchapter.

(b) Not later than February 1, 2011, the governor shall appoint an inspector general for the Office of Inspector General under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code, as added by this Act, to a term expiring February 1, 2013.

SECTION 32. On the effective date of this Act:

(1) all functions, activities, employees, rules, forms, money, property, contracts, memorandums of understanding, records, and obligations of the office of inspector general under Section 531.102(a-1), Government Code, become functions, activities, employees, rules, forms, money, property, contracts, memorandums of understanding, records, and obligations of the Office of Inspector General established under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code, as added by this Act, without a change in status; and

(2) all money appropriated or budgeted for the office of inspector general under Section 531.102(a-1), Government Code, including money for providing administrative support, is considered appropriated for the use of the Office of Inspector General established under Subchapter R, Chapter 531, Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 33. If before implementing any provision of this Act a state office or agency determines that a waiver or authorization from a federal agency is necessary for implementation of that provision, the office or agency affected by the provision shall request the waiver or authorization and may delay implementing that provision until the waiver or authorization is granted.

SECTION 34. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.