80R14305 KFF-F
 
  By: Brown of Kaufman H.B. No. 283
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to investigations and decisions regarding allegations of
  abuse, neglect, or exploitation of persons with disabilities by
  employees at certain facilities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Subchapter F, Chapter 48, Human Resources Code,
  is amended by adding Sections 48.257 and 48.258 to read as follows:
         Sec. 48.257.  RULES REGARDING RIGHTS OF ACCUSED EMPLOYEES.  
  (a)  The executive commissioner shall adopt rules providing for the
  protection of the rights of an employee at a facility described by
  Section 48.252(a)(1) who is accused of abusing, neglecting, or
  exploiting an individual with a disability receiving services in
  the facility.
         (b)  The rules adopted under Subsection (a) must include the
  right to:
               (1)  receive information regarding:
                     (A)  the fact that an investigation is being
  conducted;
                     (B)  the specific nature of allegations made
  against the accused employee;
                     (C)  the date, time, and place of the alleged
  incidents of abuse, neglect, or exploitation; and
                     (D)  the opportunity for a hearing to contest the
  findings of the investigation;
               (2)  employ legal counsel or obtain other legal
  assistance for the investigation or hearing under this subchapter;
               (3)  request a hearing on the findings of the
  investigation; and
               (4)  present evidence during the hearing, such as live
  testimony or voluntary written statements of witnesses.
         (c)  The Department of Aging and Disability Services or the
  Department of State Health Services, as appropriate, shall inform
  an employee described by Subsection (a) of the employee's rights
  under this section.
         Sec. 48.258.  RESULTS OF CERTAIN INVESTIGATIONS AND
  DECISIONS FOLLOWING CERTAIN HEARINGS AND APPEALS.  If an
  investigation of or a hearing or appeal on a report of abuse,
  neglect, or exploitation of an individual with a disability
  receiving services in a facility described by Section 48.252(a)(1)
  by an employee results in a determination that the allegation of
  abuse, neglect, or exploitation is unfounded, unconfirmed, or
  inconclusive:
               (1)  the Department of Aging and Disability Services or
  the Department of State Health Services, as appropriate, shall:
                     (A)  include that determination in any records
  maintained by the department or facility relating to the allegation
  of abuse, neglect, or exploitation by the employee, including the
  department's or facility's client abuse and neglect records;
                     (B)  compensate the employee for any lost wages;
                     (C)  restore any lost benefits, including leave
  time, to the employee; and
                     (D)  on request, reinstate the employee to the
  employee's original position or a position that is comparable in
  terms of compensation, benefits, and other conditions of
  employment;
               (2)  the commission shall include that determination in
  the applicable registry if any information relating to the
  allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation by the employee is
  recorded in the employee misconduct registry under Section 253.007,
  Health and Safety Code, or the nurse aide registry under Chapter
  250, Health and Safety Code; and
               (3)  the Department of Family and Protective Services
  shall include that determination in any records maintained by the
  department relating to the allegation of abuse, neglect, or
  exploitation by the employee.
         SECTION 2.  The executive commissioner of the Health and
  Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section
  48.257, Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, not later than
  December 1, 2007.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.