Texas Register June 12, 2026 Volume: 51 Number: 24

The Governor

Appointments Re:

Appointed to the Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke for a term to expire February 1, 2027, Jennifer M. “Jen” Scott of Fort Worth, Texas (replacing Sherron D. Franks-Meeks, Ph.D. of Odessa who resigned).

Appointed to the Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke for a term to expire February 1, 2027, Lauri E. Speirs of Kennedale, Texas (replacing Maricela “Marcie” Gonzalez Wilson of Lakeway who resigned).

Appointed to the Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Christine M. Cox of Aurora, Texas (replacing E’Loria Simon-Campbell, Ph.D. of Houston whose term expired).

Appointed to the Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Brittany L. Henson of Hemphill, Texas (replacing Elie R. Balesh, M.D. of El Paso whose term expired).

Appointed to the Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke for a term to expire February 1, 2031, Remedios “Remmy” Perez Morris of Round Rock, Texas (Ms. Perez is being reappointed).

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Texas Commission on Jail Standards

Proposed Rules Re:

Amending 37 TAC §251.6, to require county jails to provide an inmate handbook to the guardian of an inmate under guardianship upon receipt of the Order Appointing Guardian, and to require jail staff to document in the inmate file whether the guardian accepts or refuses the handbook.

CHAPTER 251. GENERAL
37 TAC §251.6

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes an amendment to §251.6 Complaints related to inmate complaints in county jail. The proposed rule adds language to 37 TAC §251.6 Complaints requiring that county jails provide an inmate handbook to the Guardian of an inmate under guardianship. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this amendment, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Amending 37 TAC §253.1, to add definitions for “Guardian,” “Guardianship Database Query (GDQ),” “Ward,” and “Letters of Guardianship” to the minimum jail standards definitions chapter, in connection with a broader set of proposed rules addressing county jail obligations for inmates under guardianship.

CHAPTER 253. DEFINITIONS
37 TAC §253.1

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes an amendment to §253.1 Definitions related to minimum jail standards. The proposed rule adds language to 37 TAC §253.1 that defines terms related to guardianship. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this amendment, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Amending 37 TAC §265.4, to require county jails to collect and retain specified documentation at intake for inmates under guardianship, including Guardianship Database Query results, court notifications, guardian notifications, and the Order Appointing Guardian with current letters of guardianship.

CHAPTER 265. ADMISSION
37 TAC §265.4

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes an amendment to §265.4 Inmate Files related to information retained in inmate files at county jails. The proposed rule adds language to 37 Texas Administrative Code §265.4 that requires certain actions and documents to be retained during intake for those affected by a guardianship. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this amendment, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Amending 37 TAC §265.5, to require that health tags identifying an inmate as having a guardian — in addition to special medical or mental health needs — be noted in the inmate’s medical record and brought to the attention of health personnel or the supervisor on duty in writing.

CHAPTER 265. ADMISSION
37 TAC §265.5

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes an amendment to §265.5 Health Tags related to medical and health documentation at county jails. The proposed rule adds language to 37 TAC §265.5 that requires certain documentation regarding health tags and inmates affected by guardianship. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this amendment, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Amending 37 TAC §265.7, to require county jails to allow inmates who are wards under guardianship reasonable access to a written or electronic contact list to facilitate communication with their guardian.

CHAPTER 265. ADMISSION
37 TAC §265.7

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes an amendment to §265.7 Telephone Use related to the use of telephones in county jail by inmates affected by guardianship. The proposed rule adds language to 37 TAC §265.7 that requires the county jail to attempt to facilitate communication between a ward and their guardian. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this amendment, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Proposing new 37 TAC §267.7, to require county jails to make reasonable efforts to coordinate the release of a ward with the guardian of the person when the guardian has authority over residence or physical possession, and to notify the court if contact cannot be made after three documented attempts or if the guardian refuses custody.

CHAPTER 267. RELEASE
37 TAC §267.7

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes a new rule, §267.7 Release of Ward related to the release of someone under guardianship from a county jail. The proposed rule adds language to 37 TAC Chapter 267 as §267.7, that specifies the steps required to take when releasing a ward of a guardian from county jail. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this new rule, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Amending 37 TAC §273.2, to require county jail health services plans to include procedures for a guardian of the person who holds medical decision-making authority to access the ward’s jail medical records and to make medical decisions for the ward.

CHAPTER 273. HEALTH SERVICES
37 TAC §273.2

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes an amendment to §273.2 Health Services Plan related to inmates under guardianship. The proposed rule adds language to 37 TAC §273.2 requiring a county jail to include provisions in their health services plan for inmates with a guardian with medical decision-making authority. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this amendment, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Proposing new 37 TAC §273.9, to establish procedures for county jail medical providers regarding guardian notification and consent for medical decisions (other than emergency care), medical history requests, documentation of treatment decisions, and guardian access to inmate medical records.

CHAPTER 273. HEALTH SERVICES
37 TAC §273.9

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) proposes a new rule, §273.9 Guardianship related to jail operations regarding an inmate under guardianship. The proposed rule adds language to 37 Texas Administrative Code 273 as §273.9 specifying steps a county jail must take regarding guardianships. This language is proposed following a recommendation by the TCJS Intellectual or Developmental Disability Advisory Committee (IDDAC), which was then evaluated by the TCJS Administrative Rules Advisory Committee (ARAC). The TCJS ARAC recommended publication of this amendment, for public comment, to the Commission.

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Adopted Rules Re:

Adopting 37 TAC §259.117, to add a design requirement that adjacent space be provided for immediate medical and mental health screening in new county jail construction.

CHAPTER 259. NEW CONSTRUCTION RULES
SUBCHAPTER B. NEW MAXIMUM SECURITY DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION AND FURNISHING REQUIREMENTS
37 TAC §259.117

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) adopts amendments to §259.117 under Chapter 259 Part 9 of Title 37 of the Texas Administrative Code without changes to the text as proposed in the March 13, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 1586). The rule will not be republished.

The adopted rule adds language to 37 TAC §259.117 that adds the design requirement that adjacent space be provided for immediate medical and mental health screening in jail construction. This requirement only applies to new construction.

The adoption of this rule requires new construction in county jails to provide adjacent space for medical and mental health screening.

No comments were received during the public comment period.

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Proposed Rule Reviews Re:

Reviewing Title 37, Part 9, to consider for readoption, revision, or repeal the chapter concerning Variance Procedure Rules.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 299 Variance Procedure Rules, in accordance with §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by TCJS as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the chapter continue to exist. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current TCJS procedures.

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Reviewing Title 37, Part 9, to consider for readoption, revision, or repeal the chapter concerning Fees.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 300 Fees, in accordance with §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by TCJS as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the chapter continue to exist. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current TCJS procedures.

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Reviewing Title 37, Part 9, to consider for readoption, revision, or repeal the chapter concerning Rules of Practice in Contested Cases.

The Texas Commission on Jail Standards (TCJS) files this notice of its intent to review Chapter 301 Rules of Practice in Contested Cases, in accordance with §2001.039.

An assessment will be made by TCJS as to whether the reasons for adopting or readopting the chapter continue to exist. Each rule will be reviewed to determine whether it is obsolete, whether the rule reflects current legal and policy considerations, and whether the rule reflects current TCJS procedures.

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Council on Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke

Adopted Rules Re:

Adopting 25 TAC §1051.1, to specify voting eligibility, clarify the role of the Texas Department of State Health Services in providing administrative support to the Council, and update public participation best practices.

CHAPTER 1051. RULES
25 TAC §1051.1

BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION

The amendment is necessary to make revisions to the rule identified during the four-year rule review required by Texas Government Code §2001.039. The amendment to the rule specifies voting eligibility, clarifies the role the Texas Department of State Health Services has in providing administrative support to the Council, and updates public participation best practices.

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Council on Sex Offender Treatment

Proposed Rule Reviews Re:

Reviewing Title 22, Part 36, to consider for readoption, revision, or repeal the chapter concerning Council on Sex Offender Treatment.

The Council on Sex Offender Treatment (Council), proposes to review and consider for readoption, revision, or repeal the chapter listed below, in its entirety, contained in Title 22, Part 36, of the Texas Administrative Code:

Chapter 810, Council on Sex Offender Treatment

This review is conducted in accordance with the requirements of Texas Government Code §2001.039, which requires state agencies, every four years, to assess whether the initial reasons for adopting a rule continue to exist. After reviewing its rules, the agency will readopt, readopt with amendments, or repeal the rules.

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Texas Health and Human Services Commission

Adopted Rule Reviews Re:

Adopting the review of Title 26, Part 1, to consider for readoption, revision, or repeal the chapter concerning Guardianship Services.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts the review of the chapter below in Title 26, Part 1, of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC):

Chapter 361, Guardianship Services

Notice of the review of this chapter was published in the March 27, 2026, issue of the Texas Register (51 TexReg 2073) for public comment.

The 31-day comment period ended April 27, 2026. During this period, HHSC did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule review.

HHSC has reviewed Chapter 361 in accordance with Texas Government Code §2001.039, which requires state agencies to assess, every four years, whether the initial reasons for adopting a rule continue to exist.

The agency determined that the original reasons for adopting rules in the chapter continue to exist and readopts Chapter 361 except for:

§361.81, Responsibilities of Guardian of the Estate

The repeal identified by HHSC in the rule review and any amendments, if applicable, to Chapter 361 will be proposed in a future issue of the Texas Register.

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Texas Department of State Health Services

In Addition Re:

Licensing Actions for Radioactive Materials

For more information, please visit this week’s edition of the Texas Register at 51 Tex Reg 3938.