(a) Pursuant to Texas Occupations Code §51.208 and Texas Government Code Chapter 2009, this subchapter establishes the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) procedures for the voluntary settlement of contested cases through the facilitation of an impartial third party. Mediation is the ADR process used by the department.
(b) In addition to the procedures under Subchapter I, the department may use mediation and the procedures under this subchapter for resolving contested cases.
(c) The procedures in this subchapter are consistent with Texas Government Code, Chapters 2001 and 2009; Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code, Chapter 154; and the model guidelines for the use of ADR by state agencies developed by SOAH.

Source Note: The provisions of this §60.400 adopted to be effective July 1, 2009, 34 TexReg 4326; amended to be effective June 1, 2023, 48 TexReg 2694