(a) A program provider must ensure an orientation and mobility service provider:
  (1) evaluates an individual's ability to use existing senses to determine the individual's position within the environment, including home, school, work, and other community settings;
  (2) develops a plan that:
    (A) identifies the individual's goals and outcomes; and
    (B) enables the individual to acquire skills to safely move from one place to another within the environment, including home, school, work, and other community settings; and
  (3) trains other service providers to:
    (A) create an environment in home, school, work, and community settings that enhances the individual's ability to move safely and efficiently; and
    (B) carry through on goals and outcomes identified in the plan.
(b) A program provider must ensure an orientation and mobility service provider:
  (1) has:
    (A) certification from the Academy for the Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals; or
    (B) the National Orientation and Mobility Certification through the National Blindness Professional Certification Board; or
  (2) has a bachelor's or master's degree in orientation and mobility from a college or university accredited by a state agency or a non-governmental entity recognized by the United States Department of Education.
(c) A program provider may bill HHSC for orientation and mobility only for the following activities:
  (1) assessing and evaluating the need for services;
  (2) developing and implementing the plan described in subsection (a)(2) of this section;
  (3) evaluating the individual's progress toward achieving the goals and outcomes described in the IPP with updates to the program provider;
  (4) providing direct intervention;
  (5) interacting with the individual or LAR regarding the individual's needs and progress toward achieving orientation and mobility goals;
  (6) consulting with family members and other service providers regarding the individual's needs and progress toward achieving orientation and mobility goals;
  (7) participating in service planning team meetings, when requested;
  (8) training other service providers to carry through on orientation and mobility goals and outcomes; and
  (9) participating in a fair hearing at the request of a member of the service planning team to provide information concerning orientation and mobility goals and outcomes.

Source Note: The provisions of this §260.349 adopted to be effective February 26, 2023, 48 TexReg 896