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TITLE 26HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 744MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR SCHOOL-AGE AND BEFORE OR AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS
SUBCHAPTER BADMINISTRATION AND COMMUNICATION
DIVISION 4OPERATIONAL POLICIES
RULE §744.501What written operational policies must I have?

You must develop written operational policies and procedures that at a minimum address each of the following:

  (1) Hours, days, and months of operation;

  (2) Procedures for the release of children;

  (3) Illness and exclusion criteria;

  (4) Procedures for dispensing medication or a statement that medication is not dispensed;

  (5) Procedures for handling medical emergencies;

  (6) Procedures for parental notifications;

  (7) Discipline and guidance that is consistent with Subchapter G of this chapter (relating to Discipline and Guidance). A copy of Subchapter G may be used for your discipline and guidance policy, unless you use disciplinary and training measures specific to a skills-based program, as specified in §744.2109 of this chapter (relating to May I use disciplinary measures that are fundamental to teaching a skill, talent, ability, expertise, or proficiency?);

  (8) Suspension and expulsion of children;

  (9) Meals and food service practices;

  (10) Immunization requirements for children, including tuberculosis screening and testing if required by your regional Texas Department of State Health Services or local health authority;

  (11) Enrollment procedures, including how and when parents will be notified of policy changes;

  (12) Transportation, if applicable;

  (13) Water activities, if applicable;

  (14) Field trips, if applicable;

  (15) Animals, if applicable;

  (16) Procedures for providing and applying, as needed, insect repellent and sunscreen, including what types will be used, if applicable;

  (17) Procedures for parents to review and discuss with the director any questions or concerns about the policies and procedures of the operation;

  (18) Procedures for parents to visit the operation at any time during your hours of operation to observe their child, program activities, the building, the premises, and equipment without having to secure prior approval;

  (19) Procedures for parents to participate in the operation's activities;

  (20) Procedures for parents to review a copy of the operation's most recent Licensing inspection report and how the parent may access the minimum standards online;

  (21) Instructions on how a parent may contact the local Licensing office, access the Texas Abuse and Neglect Hotline, and access the HHSC website;

  (22) Emergency preparedness plan;

  (23) Procedures for conducting health checks, if applicable;

  (24) Information on vaccine-preventable diseases for employees, unless your operation is in the home of the permit holder, the director, or a caregiver. The policy must address the requirements outlined in §744.2581 of this chapter (relating to What must a policy for protecting children from vaccine-preventable diseases include?);

  (25) If your operation maintains and administers unassigned epinephrine auto-injectors to use when a child in care has an emergency anaphylaxis reaction, policies for maintenance, administration, and disposal of unassigned epinephrine auto-injectors that comply with the unassigned epinephrine auto-injector requirements set by the Texas Department of State Health Services, as specified in 25 TAC Chapter 40, Subchapter C (relating to Epinephrine Auto-Injector Policies in Youth Facilities) and Texas Health and Safety Code §773.0145; and

  (26) Procedures for supporting inclusive services to children with special care needs. The policy must address the requirements outlined in §744.2009 of this chapter (relating to What are my responsibilities when planning activities for a child in care with special care needs?)


Source Note: The provisions of this §744.501 adopted to be effective September 1, 2010, 35 TexReg 7469; amended to be effective December 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 9126; amended to be effective June 1, 2014, 39 TexReg 3716; amended to be effective April 15, 2017, 42 TexReg 1779; transferred effective March 9, 2018, as published in the Texas Register February 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 909; amended to be effective March 10, 2021, 46 TexReg 1473; amended to be effective October 25, 2021, 46 TexReg 7216; amended to be effective March 1, 2023, 48 TexReg 921

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