Current through Reg. 49, No. 38; September 20, 2024
(a) This section
applies in the CDS option to alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation by an
attendant or substitute attendant:
(1) when
an allegation is reported as required by § 44.311(c) of this chapter
(relating to Provider Responsibilities Related to the Abuse, Neglect, and
Exploitation of an Individual in All CMPAS Service Delivery Options);
(2) when an allegation is reported as
required by §44.442 of this division (relating to Individual
Responsibilities in the CDS Option); or
(3) if a provider or individual is notified
by HHSC of an allegation.
(b) An individual must:
(1) obtain immediate and ongoing medical or
psychological services, as necessary;
(2) take actions to secure the individual's
safety, including if necessary, ensuring that the individual does not have
contact with the alleged perpetrator until HHSC completes the
investigation;
(3) when taking the
actions described in paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection, avoid
compromising the investigation or causing further trauma to the
individual;
(4) preserve and
protect evidence related to the allegation, including time sheets and other
employee-related documentation;
(5)
cooperate with the investigation as requested by HHSC, including providing
documentation and participating in an interview; and
(6) ensure that attendants or substitute
attendants comply with paragraphs (4) and (5) of this subsection.
(c) A provider must:
(1) preserve and protect evidence related to
the allegation, including time sheets and other employee-related
documentation;
(2) cooperate with
the investigation as requested by HHSC, including providing documentation and
participating in an interview; and
(3) ensure that staff persons and controlling
persons comply with paragraphs (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(d) A provider who receives an
initial intake report for an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation
described in subsection (a) of this section, must:
(1) within four working days after receiving
the report, convene an IDT meeting in person or by phone to review the report
and discuss the actions the individual has taken or will take to protect the
individual during the HHSC investigation, which may include having an attendant
or substitute attendant other than the alleged perpetrator provide
services;
(2) document in writing
any actions that have been or will be taken as a result of the allegation;
and
(3) if appropriate, offer the
individual the choice of receiving services through the traditional service
option and consider a suspension of services as described in §
44.308 of
this chapter (relating to Suspension of Services), if the individual does not
choose the traditional service option.
(e) After a provider receives the final
investigative report from HHSC for an allegation of abuse, neglect, or
exploitation described in subsection (a) of this section, the provider must:
(1) within four working days after receiving
the report, if the report confirms the allegation, contains an inconclusive
finding, or includes concerns and recommendations by HHSC:
(A) convene an IDT meeting in person or by
phone to discuss the content of the report, including any concerns and
recommendations by HHSC; and
(B)
document in writing any actions that have been or will be taken by the
individual as a result of the findings in the report or the concerns and
recommendations by HHSC;
(2) within five working days after receiving
the report:
(A) use the report to complete
Form 1719, Notification of Investigatory Findings; and
(B) send the completed form to the alleged
perpetrator; and
(3) if
appropriate, offer the individual the choice of receiving services through the
traditional service option and consider a suspension of services, as described
in §
44.308 of
this chapter, if the individual does not choose the traditional service
option.
(f) A provider
must maintain in an individual's record an initial intake report and a final
investigative report received from HHSC and a completed Form 1719.