Every HHSC change affecting licensed centers, newest first, in plain English. Compiled from HHSC Provider News and provider guidance letters; each entry links to the official source. Living page — updated whenever HHSC moves. Last updated July 14, 2026.
HHSC has started the official process for new rules on epinephrine in child care settings. Nothing to do yet — new rules like this usually become law within months. If your center stocks (or plans to stock) allergy-response epinephrine, your policies and training will need updating when it lands.
HHSC is finalizing updated criminal-history charts — the tables that decide who's allowed at your operation. The charts you use today stay valid until the new ones become law; when that happens, your background-check process changes and we'll say exactly what to swap.
What changed: HHSC created an expedited licensing path when a center changes ownership, so operations can keep serving families during the transition.
What you must do: Nothing today — but if you buy, sell, or restructure a center, use the expedited process instead of a cold-start application. It materially changes the timeline.
What changed: HHSC announced how it prioritizes daycare intakes (reports/investigations). Why you care: it determines how quickly a report about your operation becomes an investigation at your door. Worth reading once so an unannounced visit isn't a surprise.
What changed: HHSC adopted updates to the criminal history requirements charts — the tables that decide whether a person's record bars them from your operation.
What you must do: Whoever runs your background checks must use the current charts. Old printouts in the policies binder are now wrong — replace them.
What changed: Every licensed center must carry liability insurance — or notify every parent in writing that it doesn't.
What you must do: 1) Confirm your policy is active and meets the requirement. 2) Not covered? Send the written notice to all parents and keep proof on file.
Risk if ignored: A cited deficiency on the public record parents search — and this one is easy for an inspector to check.
What changed: HHSC adopted rules on approved personal flotation devices for school-age and before/after-school programs.
What you must do: If children in your care swim or are near water, verify your flotation devices meet the approved standard and your water-activity policies reference it.
What changed: Multiple bills from the 2025 legislative session took effect September 1, changing requirements for child care operations (HB 2789's insurance mandate above grew out of this session).
What you must do: If your policies binder predates September 2025, it was written under a different legal regime — review against the HHSC summary.
What changed: HHSC amended the rules for administrative reviews and due-process hearings — the procedures you use to fight a citation you believe is wrong.
What you must do: Nothing until you're cited. Then: deadlines in these procedures are short and unforgiving — know them before you need them.