(a) A professional association or licensing or disciplinary authority may establish a peer assistance program to identify and assist impaired professionals in accordance with the minimum criteria established by HHSC in this chapter and any additional criteria established by the appropriate licensing or disciplinary authority.
(b) Peer assistance programs must be certified by HHSC under this chapter.
  (1) A peer assistance program must submit all documentation required by HHSC to verify that the program meets the minimum standards described in this chapter.
  (2) Once HHSC is satisfied that a peer assistance program meets minimum standards, the program receives a document confirming certification.
  (3) A peer assistance program is recertified periodically as determined by HHSC.
  (4) A peer assistance program must notify HHSC within 30 days of any change in status, including change of address or telephone number.
(c) A peer assistance program established by a professional association must submit evidence to the appropriate licensing or disciplinary authority showing that the association's program meets the minimum criteria established by HHSC in this chapter and any additional criteria established by that authority.
  (1) If a licensing or disciplinary authority receives evidence showing that a peer assistance program established by a professional association meets the minimum criteria established by HHSC in this chapter and any additional criteria established by that authority, the authority must approve the program.
  (2) A licensing or disciplinary authority may revoke its approval of a program established by a professional association if the authority determines that:
    (A) the program does not comply with the criteria established by HHSC or by that authority; and
    (B) the professional association does not bring the program into compliance within a reasonable time, as determined by that authority.

Source Note: The provisions of this §8.107 adopted to be effective January 27, 2020, 45 TexReg 579