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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 169 / Friday, September 3, 2021 / Notices
sufficient number of qualified individuals, entities, and facilities to house unaccompanied children;
overseeing the infrastructure and personnel at facilities that ORR places unaccompanied children; and conducting investigations and inspections of the facilities that house unaccompanied children. See 6 U.S.C.
279b12; 8 U.S.C. 1232.
Accordingly, the Director has authority to develop, implement, and oversee the licensing or other approval of facilities that house unaccompanied children pursuant to a set of uniform Federal standards. Historically, ORR has not developed or implemented a Federal licensing or approval system and instead has funded State-licensed care facilities.
On May 31, 2021, Texas Governor Greg Abbott issued an emergency proclamation directing the Texas Health and Human Service Commission HHSC to discontinue state licensing of any child-care facility in this state that shelters or detains unaccompanied children under a contract with the federal government. The May 31
proclamation directs HHSC to deny a license application for any new childcare facility that shelters or detains unaccompanied children under a contract with the federal government, to renew any existing such licenses for no longer than a 90-day period following the date of this order, and to provide notice and initiate a 90-day period beginning on the date of this order to wind down any existing such licenses. 1
On July 13, 2021, HHSC issued an emergency rule implementing the May 31 Proclamation, which creates a temporary exemption to Texass State licensure requirement for child-care facilities that shelter unaccompanied children in Federal custody. See 26
T.A.C. section 745.115. The emergency ruleand the exemption it provides are only effective for 120 days and can only be renewed for an additional 60
days. The emergency rule directed facilities with an existing license serving unaccompanied children to provide notice to HHCS by July 31, 2021, indicating whether they intended to continue serving unaccompanied children after August 30, 2021, and if so, whether they intended to relinquish their licenses and continue operating as an exempt, unlicensed program, or whether they intended to retain their licenses and continue serving 1 May 31, 2021, Emergency Proclamation, available at: https gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/
press/DISASTER_border_security_IMAGE_05-312021.pdf.

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unaccompanied children by separately operating an exempt program to serve their unaccompanied child population.
See 26 T.A.C. section 745.10301. The same day, HHSC issued updated guidance regarding the May 31
proclamation.2 It is unclear if the Texas legislature intends to provide a permanent exemption when the emergency rule expires.
ORR is committed to providing the highest level of services to all children in ORR facilities and to treating all unaccompanied children with dignity, respect, and special concern for their particular vulnerability. As such, ORR is exploring the possibility of providing Federal licenses to ORR facilities where State law declines to license or otherwise exempts from licensure programs that contract or have a grant with ORR for the provision of physical care and services for unaccompanied children. HHS is considering assigning the responsibility of licensing or approving ORR facilities to a component outside of ORR, such as in ACF, and having that component be responsible for investigations and inspections of the ORR facilities, as well as monitor compliance.
Any such HHS component would also monitor compliance with all necessary adopted standards independently of any direct ORR oversight. Specifically, this component would be responsible for investigations and inspections of ORR
facilities and issuance of licenses under this plan. This HHS component might contract with an outside entity to perform some of the responsibilities discussed herein, while ultimately maintaining oversight over the outside entity.
Additionally, ORR is interested in determining whether accreditation through an independent accreditation agency could likewise accomplish the goal of providing applicable standards without Federal licensing.
The RFI seeks public input on the challenges posed by the current Statebased system of licensures that requires facilities to comply with a variety of complex rules that vary by State and as demonstrated by the Texas proclamationexposes ORR facilities to licensing discrimination by State regulatory officials based on their affiliation with the Federal Government.
The RFI also seeks input on what sort of licensing regime, and which responsible HHS component, would 2 July 13, 2021, Updated Guidance on the Governors Disaster Proclamation, available at:
https www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/
documents/doing-business-with-hhs/providerportal/protective-services/ccl/ccl-gov-declaringdisaster.pdf.

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best serve the needs of current service providers, including any interests in standardization of licensing requirements, while also preserving independence and objectivity in oversight from ORR. The RFI also seeks input regarding how best to preserve independence from ORR in monitoring compliance of existing standards in ORR facilities as well as any additional commentary that would be relevant.
Responses may address one or more of the areas below:
1. What challenges do facilities face in complying with the State-based licensing scheme as currently operating around the country?
2. What sort of independent entity do you see as best positioned to provide the services currently provided by State licensing entities?
3. Comments on having one entity responsible for issuing licenses and a second entity responsible for investigations and inspections.
4. When should a provider seek a Federal license as opposed to a State license?
5. Views on the possibility of dual State and Federal licensure and/or Federal accreditation of State licensed facilities to ensure compliance with minimum Federal standards?
6. Suggestions on how to improve information sharing between State and Federal partners?
7. What challenges would be posed to existing ORR facilities if ORR were to seek a Federal license on a facilitys behalf?
8. What types of standards should be adopted for licensure the list is nonexhaustive, and commenters should please include recommendations on additional categories?
a. Minimum standards for facilities b. Admission, orientation, reunification, and release processes c. Child rights d. Services, including needs assessment, development of care plans, developmental and educational services, and legal services e. Organization and administration f. Reporting and recordkeeping g. Training h. Monitoring and oversight i. Caregiver-to-child staffing ratios j. Medical and dental care, family planning services, and emergency healthcare services k. Mental health and behavior management l. Visitation and contact with family members m. Safeguarding children n. Physical plant o. Rescission and denial of licenses 9. How would an independent licensing entity best provide independence and objectivity from ORR in performing its critical task of monitoring compliance with all existing standards?
10. What proposed rules and processes should be applied for an independent investigatory agency to investigate and inspect federally licensed facilities?
11. What are some possible benefits of Federal licensure?

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