Opportunity for Early Public Comment on Draft Proposed Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services Rules

The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is providing an opportunity for early public comment and a notice of a public hearing on the draft proposed rules to 40 TAC Chapter 109, Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.

The proposed rulemaking is the result of the required 4-year rule review conducted by DARS. The proposed amendments to the DARS Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services (DHHS) rules may have substantive impact upon DHHS stakeholders. DARS, therefore, seeks to give the public and specifically DHHS stakeholders an advance opportunity to review and comment upon the proposed amendments prior to formally publishing the proposed amendments in the Texas Register.

DARS will hold a public hearing on this proposal on August 30, 2012, from 4:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m., at the Criss Cole Rehabilitation Center, 4800 North Lamar Boulevard, Austin, TX, 78756.

Persons who have special communication or other accommodation needs who are planning to attend the hearing should contact the DARS Inquiries Line at 1-800-628-5115. Requests should be made five business days before the date of the hearing.

Written comments may be submitted to the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services, Office for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services, 4900 N. Lamar Blvd., Attention: Margaret Susman, Austin Texas 78751. Electronic comments may be submitted to DARS_Rules@dars.state.tx.us. The comment period closes September 10, 2012.

Copies of the draft proposed rules may be obtained from the DARS Web site at: http://www.dars.state.tx.us/dhhs/announcements/draftdhhsrules.doc or by contacting Margaret Susman at (512) 407-3263, for a copy or for further information.