Sec. 242.040.  CERTIFICATION OF INSTITUTIONS THAT CARE FOR PERSONS WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND RELATED DISORDERS.  (a)  The department shall establish a system for certifying institutions that meet standards adopted by the executive commissioner concerning the specialized care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
(b)  An institution is not required to be certified under this section in order to provide care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.
(c)  The executive commissioner by rule may adopt standards for the specialized care and treatment of persons with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders and provide procedures for institutions applying for certification under this section.  The rules must provide for a three-year certification period.
(d)  The executive commissioner by rule may establish and the department may collect fees for the certification in an amount necessary to administer this section.
(e)  An institution may not advertise or otherwise communicate that the institution is certified by the department to provide specialized care for persons with Alzheimer's disease or related disorders unless the institution is certified under this section.
(f)  The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt a system under which an appropriate number of certifications issued by the department expire on staggered dates occurring in each three-year period.  If the expiration date of a certification changes as a result of this subsection, the department shall prorate the certification fee relating to that certification as appropriate.
(g)  The executive commissioner by rule shall adopt a definition of "Alzheimer's disease and related disorders," and may adopt by reference a definition published in a generally accepted clinical resource for medical professionals. The executive commissioner shall modify the definition as necessary to conform to changes in medical practice.
Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989.
Amended by: 
Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1063 (H.B. 3196), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2013.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0606, eff. April 2, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1256 (H.B. 2588), Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2015.