An EIS must observe and comply with the following standards of conduct.
  (1) An EIS must comply with the policies and procedures of both the contractor and HHSC ECI.
  (2) An EIS must operate only within the boundaries provided by their education, training, and credentials.
  (3) An EIS must take measures to avoid imposing or inflicting harm.
  (4) An EIS must truthfully represent their services, professional credentials, and qualifications. The EIS must inform families of the scope and limitations of their credentials.
  (5) An EIS must strive to maintain and improve their professional knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  (6) An EIS must maintain the confidentiality of families served by the contractor's ECI program in accordance with the policies and procedures of HHSC ECI.
  (7) An EIS must establish professional boundaries and avoid establishing dual relationships or conflicts of interest with families. Any prior relationships with a family member must be reported to the EIS's supervisor immediately.
  (8) Sexual or intimate relationships between an EIS and family members of a child enrolled in the contractor's ECI program that employs the EIS are prohibited during the child's enrollment and for three years after the child is no longer enrolled.
  (9) Financial relationships between the EIS and family members of a child enrolled in the contractor's ECI program that employs the EIS are prohibited during the child's enrollment.
  (10) An EIS must not exploit their position of trust and influence with a family by benefiting from relationships established as an EIS.
  (11) An EIS must not provide direct service while impaired, including impairments that are due to the use of medication, illicit drugs, or alcohol.
  (12) An EIS must not falsify documentation.
  (13) An EIS must not refuse to provide services for which they are credentialed on the basis of a child's or family's gender, race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, political affiliation, socioeconomic status, or disability.
  (14) An EIS must make reasonable efforts to ensure that families receive appropriate services when the EIS is unavailable or anticipates discontinued employment with the contractor.
  (15) An EIS has a professional obligation to report unethical behavior demonstrated by colleagues throughout the ECI system to their program director and to the appropriate board or state agency.

Source Note: The provisions of this §350.314 adopted to be effective June 30, 2019, 44 TexReg 3280; transferred effective March 1, 2021, as published in the Texas Register February 5, 2021, 46 TexReg 941