(a) The purpose of these sections is to implement Health and Safety Code, Chapter 243, which requires ambulatory surgical centers to be licensed by the Department of State Health Services.     
      (b) These sections provide minimum standards for ambulatory surgical center licenses and procedures for granting, denying, suspending, and revoking a license and licensure fees. The sections under this subchapter primarily cover the licensing procedures and standards for operation, and the remaining sections of this chapter primarily cover the requirements concerning construction design and the life safety code.     
      (c) The standards pertaining to the construction and design, the qualifications of the professional staff and other personnel, the equipment essential to the health and welfare of the patients, sanitary and hygienic conditions, and the quality assurance program may not exceed the minimum standards for certification under the Social Security Act, Title XVIII, 42 United States Code (USC), §§1395 et seq.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §135.1 adopted to be effective June 18, 2009, 34 TexReg 3948