REQUIRED REVIEW OF CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD INFORMATION FOR CERTAIN RESIDENTIAL CAREGIVERS

(a) In this section, "residential caregiver" means an individual who provides, through a group home or other residential facility licensed by or operated under the authority of the commission, community-based residential care services: (1) to not more than four individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability at any time; and (2) at a residence other than the home of the individual providing the services. (b) A Medicaid provider, including a provider providing services under a 1915(c) waiver program, that employs or contracts with a residential caregiver to provide community-based residential care services to recipients shall review state and federal criminal history record information and obtain electronic updates from the Department of Public Safety of arrests and convictions for each residential caregiver the provider employs or contracts with to provide community-based residential care services to recipients. (c) An individual who has been convicted of an offense described by Section 250.006, Health and Safety Code, may not be employed or contracted as a residential caregiver or otherwise provide direct care to a recipient with an intellectual or developmental disability to the same extent and, if applicable, for the same period of time prescribed by Section 250.006(a) or (b), Health and Safety Code, as an individual similarly convicted under those subsections. An individual who violates this subsection is subject to disciplinary action by the commission. (d) A Medicaid provider shall immediately discharge any individual the provider employs or contracts with as a residential caregiver who is convicted of an offense described by Section 250.006, Health and Safety Code. (e) Notwithstanding any other law, the commission shall take disciplinary action against a Medicaid provider that violates this section, including imposing an administrative penalty or vendor hold, terminating a contract or license, or any other disciplinary action the commission determines appropriate. In determining the appropriate disciplinary action to take against a Medicaid provider under this subsection, the commission shall consider: (1) the nature and seriousness of the violation; (2) the history of previous violations; and (3) any other matter justice may require. (f) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules necessary to implement this section.