TITLE 26. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1. HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 511. LIMITED SERVICES RURAL HOSPITALS
SUBCHAPTER
C.
The executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) adopts new §511.85, concerning Miscellaneous Policies and Protocols.
Section 511.85 is adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the December 12, 2025, issue of the Texas Register (50 TexReg 8038). This rule will not be republished.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
The new section is necessary to comply with House Bill (HB) 4076, 89th Legislature, Regular Session, 2025. HB 4076 amended Texas Health and Safety Code (THSC) Chapter 161 by adding §161.474, which prohibits a health care provider from discriminating based on vaccination status for services related to organ transplants.
The new section increases consistency between the limited services rural hospital (LSRH) licensing rules and similar rules for other HHSC-regulated health care facilities.
COMMENTS
The 31-day comment period ended January 12, 2026.
During this period, HHSC did not receive any comments regarding the proposed rule.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The new section is adopted under Texas Government Code §524.0151, which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules for the operation and provision of services by the health and human services agencies, and THSC §241.302(b), which provides that the executive commissioner of HHSC shall adopt rules to establish minimum standards for limited services rural hospitals.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal authority.
Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on February 18, 2026.
TRD-202600751
Karen Ray
Chief Counsel
Health and Human Services Commission
Effective date: March 10, 2026
Proposal publication date: December 12, 2025
For further information, please call: (512) 834-4591