TWC adopts child-care rule changes to strengthen fraud protections and approves publication for broader review

Reid O'Brien, of the Office of General Counsel, presented final rule amendments to 40 Texas Administrative Code chapter 809 (child-care services), saying the changes aim to "strengthen the integrity of Texas's childcare services program by enhancing fraud detection, prevention, and enhancement of enforcement mechanisms." He told commissioners the commission approved publication of the proposed rule on 2026-03-10 and staff recommended adopting amendments to section 809.113 to remove provider board members from a list of individuals a workforce development board could prohibit from eligibility for commission-funded child care.

Commissioner Trevino moved to approve the amendments to 40 TAC chapter 809 as recommended by staff; another commissioner seconded and the motion passed. Staff asked for authority to make minor, non-substantive edits to comply with Texas Register and Secretary of State publication requirements; commissioners approved that request and later voted to publish proposed rule amendments for public comment under Texas Government Code chapter 2001. Commissioners thanked staff for responsiveness on issues raised during the rule review, including blended pay-rate concerns and information-breach contingencies.

The commission’s action included two related approvals recorded on the meeting record: adoption of the final amendments to chapter 809 and authorization to publish proposed rules and make minor non-substantive edits to meet publication requirements. O’Brien remained available for questions and the commission moved on after the votes.