- Welcome and opening remarks
Call to order; Roll call; Explanation of proceedings using Microsoft Teams meeting; Executive commissioner’s welcome and remarks. Commissioner Young stated that this is her last meeting as she will be retiring. She commented that Stephanie Muth will be the new Commissioner.
- Rule proposals* (Agency Rulemaking can be found at https://www.hhs.texas.gov/regulations/policies-rules/health-human-services-rulemaking/comment-proposed-draft-rules )
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) public comment period has closed†–None
Submitted to the Texas Register – APA public comment period has not closed‡
HHSC is changing the rule about Texas Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (T-CCBHCs). The change makes it easier to become a T-CCHBC and makes requirements clearer. The new rule also makes it clear that someone can receive services if they live in Texas. It does not matter where they live in Texas. The rule also clarifies how T-CCBHCs should work with other agencies to provide crisis services, to make sure services are high quality.
Background and Purpose. The purpose of this proposal is to:
- Add definitions for terms “outpatient mental health treatment services” and “outpatient substance use treatment services” used in the subchapter;
- Clarify that Texas Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (T-CCBHC) applicants may not refuse or limit services to people within their service area based on where the person lives, housing situation, or lack of a permanent address;
- Require T-CCBHCs that are not local mental health authorities (LMHAs) or local behavioral health authorities (LBHAs) to enter into an agreement with their LMHA/LBHA to deliver mobile crisis outreach;
- Clarify requirements of advisory committees for purposes of this subchapter;
- Clarify the application process and requirements to maintain certification;
- Change the T-CCBHC recertification timeline from every three years to every four years; and
- Revise other language to improve reader understanding.
T-CCBHC certification began in 2015 when Texas received a Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grant. HHSC recognized the model as an emerging best practice and committed to increasing the number of T-CCBHCs to 19 in fiscal year 2020 in the Texas Health and Human Services “Blueprint for a Healthy Texas” plan. As of April 2024, Texas has exceeded that goal and has 44 T-CCBHCs, serving all Texas counties. T-CCBHC certification is also a requirement for LMHAs, LBHAs, and community mental health centers to participate in the Directed Payment Program for Behavioral Health Services.
Fiscal and Service Impact.
There is no fiscal impact.
The proposed rules clarify current practices and understanding related to T-CCBHCs and clarify requirements to apply for and maintain T-CCBHC certification. The public benefit will be expanding provider organizations delivering and improving quality of integrated mental health, substance use disorder, and primary care screenings.
Rule Development Schedule
November 28, 2025 Publish proposed rules in Texas Register
December 11, 2025 Present to HHSC Executive Council
April 2026 Publish adopted rules in Texas Register
April 2026 Effective date
Public Comment. There was no public comment
The rule bans limited services rural hospitals from discriminating against a person who needs an organ transplant or related services because of their disability and requires them to follow the law.
Background and Purpose. The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) proposes new §511.85, relating to Miscellaneous Policies and Protocols.
The proposal is necessary to comply with House Bill (HB) 4076, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025. HB 4076 amended Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) Chapter 161 by adding §161.474, which prohibits a health care provider from discriminating based on vaccination status for services related to organ transplants.
The proposal increases consistency between the limited services rural hospital (LSRH) licensing rules and similar rules for other Health Care Regulation (HCR) regulated health care facilities, including abortion facilities, ambulatory surgical centers, birthing centers, chemical dependency treatment facilities, end stage renal disease facilities, freestanding emergency medical care facilities, general and special hospitals, narcotic treatment programs, private psychiatric hospitals, and special care facilities.
HB 4076 impacts all HCR-licensed health care facilities, but the LSRH licensing chapter does not currently require compliance with THSC Chapter 161, Subchapter S. The proposed new rule requires LSRHs to comply with the subchapter in accordance with the rules for other HCR-regulated health care facilities.
Fiscal and Service Impact.
There is no fiscal impact.
The public will benefit from increased consistency between the LSRH licensing rules and statutory requirements which prohibits organ transplant recipient discrimination based on vaccination status or disability.
Rule Development Schedule
December 11, 2025 Present to HHSC Executive Council
December 2025 Publish proposed rules in Texas Register
March 2026 Publish adopted rules in Texas Register
March 2026 Effective date
Public Comment. There was no public comment
The proposal is necessary to implement Senate Bill (SB) 1 and House Bill (HB) 1, 89th Legislature, Second Special Session that amend Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 141. SB 1 and HB 1 require DSHS to update definitions, add requirements for implementation and submission of emergency plans for emergency preparedness and response, and establish minimum camper/counselor overnight ratios. The bills also add requirements for youth camps to notify DSHS of structure modifications and submit renewal applications for certain camp updates, DSHS and youth camp operator website information requirements, and create a new youth camp safety multidisciplinary committee. The proposed rules also increase license fees for day and residential youth camps to meet the cost of administering the program.
The rules amend the composition of the Youth Camp Advisory Committee to provide the agency with valuable insights to improve health and safety standards for campers.
Subchapter C, Migrant Labor Housing Facilities, is no longer under authority of DSHS and will be repealed.
Background and Purpose. The purpose of the proposal is to implement Senate Bill (SB) 1 and House Bill (HB) 1, 89th Legislature, Second Special Session that amends Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 141. SB 1 and HB 1 require the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to update definitions, add requirements for the implementation and submission of emergency plans for emergency preparedness and response, and establish camper and counselor minimum overnight ratios. The bills also add requirements for youth camps to notify DSHS of structure modifications and submit renewal applications for certain camp updates, implement DSHS and youth camp operator website information requirements, and create a new youth camp safety
multidisciplinary committee. The proposal also implements SB 5, 89th Legislature,
Second Special Session, which requires DSHS to increase license fees for day and
residential youth camps to meet the cost of administering the program.
The proposed repeal of §265.29 is necessary as all DSHS advisory committee, council, and board rules are moving into a single chapter. New §3.8, concerning Youth Camp Advisory Committee (YCAC), is proposed in 25 Texas Administrative Code Chapter 3.
The proposed repeal of §§265.31, 265.32, 265.33, 265.34, and 265.35 are necessary because responsibility for Migrant Labor Housing Facilities was transferred to Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) in 2005 in accordance with House Bill 1099, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, 2005. The TDHCA rules are located in Title 10 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 90.
Fiscal and Service Impact.
The public benefit will be the safety of children attending a DSHS licensed youth camp.
Rule Development Schedule
November 28, 2025 Publish proposed rules in Texas Register
December 11, 2025 Present to HHSC Executive Council
January 2026 Publish adopted rules in Texas Register
February 2026 Effective date
Public Comment.
Dan Neal, Camp Doublecreek and Camping Association for Mutual Progress (CAMP) spoke about camper safety and HB1 and SB1 And expressed their appreciation. He stated the fiber broadband and fees are causing some concern in the industry. They share in the goals of safety as they move into the camp season. He requested realistic timelines for the implementation. Austin’s Best Summer Camp | Camp Doublecreek; C.A.M.P. – Camping Association for Mutual Progress – CAMPference
The proposal is necessary to implement Senate Bill (SB) 1, 89th Legislature, Second Special Session, 2025, that amends Texas Health and Safety Code Chapter 141. SB 1 requires DSHS to prohibit licensure within floodplains, unless they meet certain requirements. The rules will increase the safety of campers.
Background and Purpose. The purpose of the proposal is to implement Senate Bill (SB) 1, 89th Legislature, Second Special Session, 2025, that amends Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 141. SB 1 requires the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) to prohibit licensure of youth camps within floodplains unless they meet certain requirements.
Fiscal and Service Impact.
There is no fiscal impact.
The public benefit will be the safety of children attending a DSHS licensed youth camp.
Rule Development Schedule
November 28, 2025 Publish proposed rules in Texas Register
December 11, 2025 Present to HHSC Executive Council
January 2026 Publish adopted rules in Texas Register
February 2026 Effective date
Public Comment. There was no public comment
The proposal is necessary to implement Senate Bill (SB) 1 and House Bill (HB) 1, 89th Legislature, Second Special Session that amend Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 141. SB 1 and HB 1, and this rule, require youth camp operators to have two distinct broadband internet services. The rules will increase the safety of campers.
Background and Purpose. The purpose of the proposal is to implement Senate Bill (SB) 1 and House Bill (HB) 1, 89th Legislature, Second Special Session, 2025, that amends Texas Health and Safety Code (HSC) Chapter 141. SB 1 and HB 1 set the requirements for youth camp safety and health in relation to redundant internet connections.
Fiscal and Service Impact.
There is no fiscal impact.
The public benefit will be the safety of children attending a DSHS licensed youth camp.
Rule Development Schedule
November 28, 2025 Publish proposed rules in Texas Register
December 11, 2025 Present to HHSC Executive Council
January 2026 Publish adopted rules in Texas Register
February 2026 Effective date
Public Comment. There was no public comment
Not yet submitted to the Texas Register for APA public comment None
- Recent Rule Adoptions – Information item not for discussion
Adoptions submitted to the Texas Register that are not yet effective–None
Adoptions that are effective
25R046 DSHS Military Licensing, Published 11/21/25, Effective 12/1/25
https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/November212025/Adopted%20Rules/25.HEALTH%20SERVICES.html#147
25R037 Low-THC Cannabis for Compassionate Use, Published 11/28/25, Effective 12/1/25
https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/November282025/Adopted%20Rules/25.HEALTH%20SERVICES.html#81
25R050 HHSC Military Licensing, Published 11/28/25, Effective 12/1/25
https://www.sos.texas.gov/texreg/archive/November282025/Adopted%20Rules/1.ADMINISTRATION.html#53
- Adjourn. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
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