(a) Purpose. The purpose of this section is to implement the provisions of the Health and Safety Code, §85.087 and §94.004, requiring the Department of State Health Services (department) to develop and offer a training course for persons providing HIV and/or hepatitis C counseling, and authorizes the department to charge a fee for the course.
(b) Content. The training course includes information relating to risk reduction and the special needs of persons with positive test results for the diseases. General information on these diseases is sent to participants prior to the actual course.
(c) Fee.
  (1) The course fee will be $300 for each participant, except that no fee is required from employees of an entity that receives state or federal funds for HIV or Hepatitis C counseling and testing through a current contract with the department. The HIV/STD Comprehensive Services Branch may waive the fee, at its sole discretion, according to its written internal procedures regarding compelling public health need.
  (2) Fees shall be made payable to the Department of State Health Services. All fees are non-refundable and must be received by the department prior to participation in the course. The accepted forms of payment are cashiers check or money order. No other form of payment will be accepted.
(d) Notice. Notice of the training courses will be announced through the on-line training calendar located at http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/training/schedule.shtm.

Source Note: The provisions of this §97.141 adopted to be effective March 16, 1994, 19 TexReg 1453; amended to be effective October 6, 1997, 22 TexReg 9677; amended to be effective June 13, 2000, 25 TexReg 5636; amended to be effective March 20, 2003, 28 TexReg 2335; amended to be effective December 4, 2008, 33 TexReg 9693