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26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies

Texasprimary-regulationTexas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)· effective 2021-04-25

What this rule requires your agency to do

  • 1Policies must require that all direct-care staff with direct client contact (employed by or under contract with the agency) sign a statement that they have read, understand, and will comply with all applicable agency policies (§558.245(b)(10)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)
  • 2An agency must adopt and enforce written staffing policies that govern all personnel used by the agency, including employees, volunteers, and contractors (§558.245(a)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)
  • 3Services to pediatric clients must be provided by staff who have been instructed and have demonstrated competency in the care of pediatric clients (§558.245(b)(9)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)
  • 4Policies must include procedures for processing criminal history checks and searches of the NAR and EMR for unlicensed personnel in accordance with §558.247 (§558.245(b)(5)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)
  • 5Staffing policies must include requirements for orientation to the agency's policies, procedures, and objectives (§558.245(b)(1)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)
  • 6Policies must include a written job description and job qualifications (specific education and training) for each position (§558.245(b)(4)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)
  • 7Training program policies must ensure personnel are properly oriented to tasks performed and must ensure demonstration of competency for tasks when competency cannot be determined through education, license, certification, or experience (§558.245(b)(2)(A)-(B)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)
  • 8Policies must ensure annual evaluation of employee and volunteer performance (§558.245(b)(6)).(26 TAC §558.245 - Staffing Policies)

Applies to: HCSSAs and all personnel used by the agency, including employees, volunteers, and contractors

Requires HCSSAs to adopt and enforce written staffing policies governing orientation, job-specific training and demonstration of competency, criminal-history/registry check procedures, annual performance evaluation, and a signed acknowledgment by direct-care staff that they will comply with agency policies.

Regulatory information, not legal advice — always confirm against the cited official source. Verification reduces error; it does not certify compliance.