| (a) A professional association or licensing or disciplinary
authority may establish a peer assistance program to identify and
assist impaired professionals in accordance with the minimum criteria
established by HHSC in this chapter and any additional criteria established
by the appropriate licensing or disciplinary authority.
(b) Peer assistance programs must be certified by HHSC
under this chapter.
(1) A peer assistance program must submit all documentation
required by HHSC to verify that the program meets the minimum standards
described in this chapter.
(2) Once HHSC is satisfied that a peer assistance program
meets minimum standards, the program receives a document confirming
certification.
(3) A peer assistance program is recertified periodically
as determined by HHSC.
(4) A peer assistance program must notify HHSC within
30 days of any change in status, including change of address or telephone
number.
(c) A peer assistance program established by a professional
association must submit evidence to the appropriate licensing or disciplinary
authority showing that the association's program meets the minimum
criteria established by HHSC in this chapter and any additional criteria
established by that authority.
(1) If a licensing or disciplinary authority receives
evidence showing that a peer assistance program established by a professional
association meets the minimum criteria established by HHSC in this
chapter and any additional criteria established by that authority,
the authority must approve the program.
(2) A licensing or disciplinary authority may revoke
its approval of a program established by a professional association
if the authority determines that:
(A) the program does not comply with the criteria established
by HHSC or by that authority; and
(B) the professional association does not bring the
program into compliance within a reasonable time, as determined by
that authority.
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