1. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall make rules and adopt minimum standards for the Department of State Health Services to:

   1. (1) administer the provisions of this subchapter; and
   2. (2) ensure that each registry respects the right to privacy and confidentiality of an adoptee, birth parent, and biological sibling who does not desire to disclose the person's identity.
2. (b) The Department of State Health Services shall conduct a comprehensive review of all rules and standards adopted under this subchapter not less than every six years.

3. (c) In order to provide the administrators an opportunity to review proposed rules and standards and send written suggestions to the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission, the executive commissioner shall, before adopting rules and minimum standards, send a copy of the proposed rules and standards not less than 60 days before the date they take effect to:

   1. (1) the administrator of each registry established under this subchapter; and
   2. (2) the administrator of each agency authorized by the department to place children for adoption.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.

Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 561, Sec. 26, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 1.116, eff. April 2, 2015.