TITLE 26. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 356. FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAM
The executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts amendments to §§356.603, concerning Eligibility; 356.1303, concerning Eligibility; 356.1316, concerning Policies and Procedures Regarding Entries in a Program Participant's Record; 356.1403, concerning Crisis Call Hotline; 356.2003, concerning Eligibility; 356.2016, concerning Policies and Procedures Regarding Entries in a Program Participant's Record; and 356.2103, concerning Crisis Call Hotline; the repeal of §356.1323, concerning Policies and Procedures for the Retention and Destruction of Documentation; and the repeal of §356.2023, concerning Policies and Procedures for the Retention and Destruction of Documentation.
Sections 356.603, 356.1303, 356.1316, 356.1323, 356.1403, 356.2003, 356.2016, 356.2023, and 356.2103 are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the October 10, 2025 issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 6649). These rules will not be republished.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
The repeal of §356.1323 and §356.2023 removes rules from 26 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 356, on retention and destruction of documentation procedures because these requirements are in the HHSC contract related to family violence service delivery. The amendments to §§356.1316, 356.1403, 356.2016, and 356.2103 remove references to the repealed rules.
Further, the amendments to §§356.603, 356.1303, and 356.2003 clarify that there are four types of victims who may be eligible for services in the Family Violence Program. The amendments clarify existing eligibility criteria and do not impact eligibility for services.
COMMENTS
The 31-day comment period ended November 10, 2025.
During this period, HHSC did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rules.
SUBCHAPTER
B.
DIVISION 6. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
26 TAC §356.603STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendment is adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system, and Texas Human Resources Code §51.010, which authorizes the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules governing the HHSC Family Violence Program.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 9, 2026.
TRD-202600046
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: January 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: October 10, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 460-0992
SUBCHAPTER
C.
DIVISION 6. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
26 TAC §356.1303, §356.1316STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system, and Texas Human Resources Code §51.010, which authorizes the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules governing the HHSC Family Violence Program.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 9, 2026.
TRD-202600048
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: January 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: October 10, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 460-0992
26 TAC §356.1323
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The repeal is adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system, and Texas Human Resources Code §51.010, which authorizes the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules governing the HHSC Family Violence Program.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 9, 2026.
TRD-202600047
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: January 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: October 10, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 460-0992
DIVISION 7. SERVICE DELIVERY
26 TAC §356.1403STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendment is adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system, and Texas Human Resources Code §51.010, which authorizes the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules governing the HHSC Family Violence Program.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 9, 2026.
TRD-202600049
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: January 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: October 10, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 460-0992
SUBCHAPTER
D.
DIVISION 6. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION
26 TAC §356.2003, §356.2016STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendments are adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system, and Texas Human Resources Code §51.010, which authorizes the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules governing the HHSC Family Violence Program.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 9, 2026.
TRD-202600051
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: January 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: October 10, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 460-0992
26 TAC §356.2023
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The repeal is adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system, and Texas Human Resources Code §51.010, which authorizes the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules governing the HHSC Family Violence Program.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 9, 2026.
TRD-202600050
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: January 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: October 10, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 460-0992
DIVISION 7. SERVICE DELIVERY
26 TAC §356.2103STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The amendment is adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services system, and Texas Human Resources Code §51.010, which authorizes the executive commissioner of HHSC to adopt rules governing the HHSC Family Violence Program.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on January 9, 2026.
TRD-202600052
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: January 29, 2026
Proposal publication date: October 10, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 460-0992