INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION

(a) The executive commissioner by rule shall establish an informal dispute resolution process in accordance with this section. The process must provide for adjudication by an appropriate disinterested person of disputes relating to a proposed enforcement action or related proceeding of the commission against a provider participating in a waiver program described by Section 161.089 . The informal dispute resolution process must require:

(1) a provider participating in a waiver program described by Section 161.089 to request informal dispute resolution not later than the 10th calendar day after the date of notification by the commission of the violation of a law or rule relating to the program; and

(2) the commission to complete the process not later than the 30th calendar day after the date of receipt of a request from a provider for informal dispute resolution.

(b) As part of the informal dispute resolution process established under this section, the commission shall contract with an appropriate disinterested person to adjudicate disputes between a provider participating in a waiver program described by Section 161.089 and the commission concerning a statement of violations prepared by the commission. Section 2009.053 , Government Code, does not apply to the selection of an appropriate disinterested person under this subsection. The person with whom the commission contracts shall adjudicate all disputes described by this subsection.