POLICY FOR NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING AND ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES

(a) The commission shall develop and implement a policy for the commission and each health and human services agency to encourage the use of: (1) negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter 2008 for the adoption of rules for the commission and each agency; and (2) appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures under Chapter 2009 to assist in the resolution of internal and external disputes under the commission's or agency's jurisdiction. (b) The procedures relating to alternative dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any model guidelines the State Office of Administrative Hearings issues for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state agencies. (c) The commission shall: (1) coordinate the implementation of the policy developed under Subsection (a); (2) provide training as needed to implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute resolution; and (3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those procedures.