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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the protection and care of individuals with mental |
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retardation who reside in certain state-operated facilities. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 261.404, Family Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsection (b-1) to read as follows: |
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(b-1) If an investigation under this section reveals |
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evidence of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client |
|
of a state developmental center as defined by Section 531.002, |
|
Health and Safety Code, or the ICF-MR component of the Rio Grande |
|
State Center, and a caseworker of the department or a supervisor of |
|
a caseworker believes that the abuse, neglect, or exploitation is a |
|
criminal offense, the caseworker or supervisor shall immediately |
|
notify the Health and Human Services Commission's office of |
|
inspector general and promptly provide the Health and Human |
|
Services Commission's office of inspector general with a copy of |
|
the department's investigation report. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 411, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 411.1144 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 411.1144. ACCESS TO CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD |
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INFORMATION: AGENCIES WITH EMPLOYEES OR VOLUNTEERS AT STATE |
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DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS. (a) The Department of State Health Services |
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and the Department of Aging and Disability Services are entitled to |
|
obtain from the department criminal history record information |
|
maintained by the department that relates to a person: |
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(1) who is: |
|
(A) an applicant for employment with the agency; |
|
(B) an employee of the agency; |
|
(C) a volunteer with the agency; or |
|
(D) an applicant for a volunteer position with |
|
the agency; and |
|
(2) who would be placed in direct contact with a |
|
resident or client of a state developmental center or the ICF-MR |
|
component of the Rio Grande State Center. |
|
(b) Criminal history record information obtained by an |
|
agency under Subsection (a) may not be released or disclosed to any |
|
person except: |
|
(1) on court order; |
|
(2) with the consent of the person who is the subject |
|
of the criminal history record information; |
|
(3) for purposes of an administrative hearing held by |
|
the agency concerning the person who is the subject of the criminal |
|
history record information; or |
|
(4) as provided by Subsection (c). |
|
(c) An agency is not prohibited from releasing criminal |
|
history record information obtained under Subsection (a) or (d) to |
|
the person who is the subject of the criminal history record |
|
information. |
|
(d) Subject to Section 411.087, the Department of State |
|
Health Services and the Department of Aging and Disability Services |
|
are entitled to: |
|
(1) obtain through the Federal Bureau of Investigation |
|
criminal history record information maintained or indexed by that |
|
bureau that pertains to a person described by Subsection (a); and |
|
(2) obtain from any other criminal justice agency in |
|
this state criminal history record information maintained by that |
|
criminal justice agency that relates to a person described by |
|
Subsection (a). |
|
SECTION 3. Subchapter C, Chapter 531, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Section 531.1022 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 531.1022. ASSISTING CERTAIN INVESTIGATIONS BY LAW |
|
ENFORCEMENT. (a) The office of inspector general shall employ |
|
commissioned peace officers for the sole purpose of assisting a |
|
state or local law enforcement agency in the investigation of an |
|
alleged criminal offense involving a resident or client of a state |
|
developmental center as defined by Section 531.002, Health and |
|
Safety Code, or the ICF-MR component of the Rio Grande State Center. |
|
(b) The office of inspector general shall prepare a final |
|
report for each investigation conducted under this section. The |
|
office shall ensure that the report does not contain identifying |
|
information of an individual mentioned in the report. The final |
|
report must include: |
|
(1) a summary of the activities performed by the |
|
office of inspector general in conducting the investigation; |
|
(2) a statement regarding whether the investigation |
|
resulted in a finding that an alleged criminal offense was |
|
committed; and |
|
(3) a description of the alleged criminal offense that |
|
was committed. |
|
(c) The office of inspector general shall deliver the final |
|
report to the: |
|
(1) executive commissioner; |
|
(2) commissioner of the Department of Aging and |
|
Disability Services; |
|
(3) commissioner of the Department of Family and |
|
Protective Services; |
|
(4) Aging and Disability Services Council; |
|
(5) governor; |
|
(6) lieutenant governor; |
|
(7) speaker of the house of representatives; |
|
(8) standing committees of the senate and house of |
|
representatives with primary jurisdiction over state developmental |
|
centers; and |
|
(9) state auditor. |
|
(d) A final report regarding an investigation is subject to |
|
required disclosure under Chapter 552. All information and |
|
materials compiled by the office of inspector general in connection |
|
with an investigation are confidential, and not subject to |
|
disclosure under Chapter 552, and not subject to disclosure, |
|
discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for their |
|
release to anyone other than the office or its employees or agents |
|
involved in the investigation conducted by the office, except that |
|
this information may be disclosed to the office of the attorney |
|
general, the state auditor's office, and law enforcement agencies. |
|
(e) The office of inspector general shall prepare an annual |
|
status report of its activities under this section. The annual |
|
report may not contain identifying information of an individual |
|
mentioned in the report. The annual status report must include |
|
information that is aggregated and disaggregated by individual |
|
state developmental center or the ICF-MR component of the Rio |
|
Grande State Center regarding: |
|
(1) the number and type of alleged offenses |
|
investigated by the office; |
|
(2) the number and type of alleged offenses involving |
|
an employee of a state developmental center or the ICF-MR component |
|
of the Rio Grande State Center; |
|
(3) the relationship of an alleged victim to an |
|
alleged perpetrator; and |
|
(4) the number of investigations conducted that |
|
involve the suicide, death, or hospitalization of an alleged |
|
victim. |
|
(f) The office of inspector general shall submit the annual |
|
status report to the: |
|
(1) executive commissioner; |
|
(2) commissioner of the Department of Aging and |
|
Disability Services; |
|
(3) commissioner of the Department of Family and |
|
Protective Services; |
|
(4) Aging and Disability Services Council; |
|
(5) Family and Protective Services Council; |
|
(6) governor; |
|
(7) lieutenant governor; |
|
(8) speaker of the house of representatives; |
|
(9) standing committees of the senate and house of |
|
representatives with primary jurisdiction over state developmental |
|
centers; |
|
(10) state auditor; and |
|
(11) comptroller. |
|
(g) An annual status report submitted under this section is |
|
public information under Chapter 552. |
|
SECTION 4. Section 531.002(17), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(17) "State developmental center [school]" means a |
|
state-supported and structured residential facility operated by |
|
the Department of Aging and Disability Services [department] to |
|
provide to clients with mental retardation a variety of services, |
|
including medical treatment, specialized therapy, and training in |
|
the acquisition of personal, social, and vocational skills. |
|
SECTION 5. Chapter 531, Health and Safety Code, is amended |
|
by adding Section 531.0021 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 531.0021. REFERENCE TO STATE SCHOOL OR SUPERINTENDENT. |
|
(a) A reference in law to a "state school" means a state |
|
developmental center. |
|
(b) A reference in law to a "superintendent," to the extent |
|
the term is intended to refer to the person in charge of a state |
|
developmental center, means the director of a state developmental |
|
center. |
|
SECTION 6. Section 532.001(b), Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The department also includes community services |
|
operated by the department and the following facilities: |
|
(1) the central office of the department; |
|
(2) the Austin State Hospital; |
|
(3) the Big Spring State Hospital; |
|
(4) the Kerrville State Hospital; |
|
(5) the Rusk State Hospital; |
|
(6) the San Antonio State Hospital; |
|
(7) the Terrell State Hospital; |
|
(8) the North Texas State Hospital; |
|
(9) the Abilene State Developmental Center [School]; |
|
(10) the Austin State Developmental Center [School]; |
|
(11) the Brenham State Developmental Center [School]; |
|
(12) the Corpus Christi State Developmental Center |
|
[School]; |
|
(13) the Denton State Developmental Center [School]; |
|
(14) the Lubbock State Developmental Center [School]; |
|
(15) the Lufkin State Developmental Center [School]; |
|
(16) the Mexia State Developmental Center [School]; |
|
(17) the Richmond State Developmental Center |
|
[School]; |
|
(18) the San Angelo State Developmental Center |
|
[School]; |
|
(19) the San Antonio State Developmental Center |
|
[School]; |
|
(20) the El Paso State Developmental Center; |
|
(21) the Rio Grande State Center; and |
|
(22) the Waco Center for Youth. |
|
SECTION 7. Section 551.022, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (e) to read as follows: |
|
(e) This section does not apply to a state developmental |
|
center or the director of a state developmental center. |
|
SECTION 8. Subchapter B, Chapter 551, Health and Safety |
|
Code, is amended by adding Section 551.0225 to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 551.0225. POWERS AND DUTIES OF STATE DEVELOPMENTAL |
|
CENTER DIRECTOR. (a) The director of a state developmental center |
|
is the administrative head of the center. |
|
(b) The director of a state developmental center has the |
|
custody of and responsibility to care for the buildings, grounds, |
|
furniture, and other property relating to the center. |
|
(c) The director of a state developmental center shall: |
|
(1) oversee the admission and discharge of residents |
|
and clients; |
|
(2) keep a register of all residents and clients |
|
admitted to or discharged from the center; |
|
(3) supervise repairs and improvements to the center; |
|
(4) ensure that center money is spent judiciously and |
|
economically; |
|
(5) keep an accurate and detailed account of all money |
|
received and spent, stating the source of the money and on whom and |
|
the purpose for which the money is spent; and |
|
(6) keep a full record of the center's operations. |
|
(d) In accordance with departmental rules and operating |
|
procedures, the director of a state developmental center may: |
|
(1) establish policy to govern the state developmental |
|
center that the director considers will best promote the residents' |
|
interest and welfare; |
|
(2) hire subordinate officers, teachers, and other |
|
employees and set their salaries, in the absence of other law; and |
|
(3) dismiss a subordinate officer, teacher, or |
|
employee. |
|
SECTION 9. Subtitle B, Title 7, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by adding Chapter 555 to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 555. STATE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS |
|
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
Sec. 555.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Alleged offender resident" means a person with |
|
mental retardation who has been committed to or transferred to a |
|
state developmental center under Chapter 55, Family Code, or |
|
Chapter 46B or 46C, Code of Criminal Procedure. |
|
(2) "Client" means a person with mental retardation |
|
who receives ICF-MR services from a state developmental center or |
|
the ICF-MR component of the Rio Grande State Center. |
|
(3) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services |
|
Commission. |
|
(4) "Complaint" means information received by the |
|
department's office of independent ombudsman regarding a possible |
|
violation of a right of a resident or client of a state |
|
developmental center and includes information received regarding a |
|
failure by a state developmental center to comply with the |
|
department's policies and procedures relating to the community |
|
living options information process. |
|
(5) "Department" means the Department of Aging and |
|
Disability Services. |
|
(6) "Developmental center employee" means an employee |
|
of a state developmental center or the ICF-MR component of the Rio |
|
Grande State Center. |
|
(7) "Direct care employee" means a developmental |
|
center employee who provides direct delivery of services to a |
|
resident or client. |
|
(8) "Executive commissioner" means the executive |
|
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission. |
|
(9) "Independent ombudsman" means the individual who |
|
has been appointed to the office of independent ombudsman. |
|
(10) "Office" means the office of independent |
|
ombudsman established under Subchapter C. |
|
(11) "Resident" means a person with mental retardation |
|
who resides in a state developmental center or the ICF-MR component |
|
of the Rio Grande State Center. |
|
(12) "State developmental center" has the meaning |
|
assigned by Section 531.002. |
|
Sec. 555.002. STATE DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER FOR ALLEGED |
|
OFFENDER RESIDENTS. (a) The department shall establish a separate |
|
state developmental center for the care of alleged offender |
|
residents apart from other clients and residents. The department |
|
shall designate an existing state developmental center for this |
|
purpose. |
|
(b) In establishing a state developmental center designated |
|
for alleged offender residents, the department shall: |
|
(1) transfer an alleged offender resident already |
|
residing in a state developmental center to the designated state |
|
developmental center; |
|
(2) place alleged offender residents in separate homes |
|
at the designated state developmental center based on whether the |
|
alleged offender resident is: |
|
(A) an adult or a person younger than 18 years of |
|
age; or |
|
(B) male or female; |
|
(3) place all alleged offender residents committed to |
|
or transferred to a state developmental center in the designated |
|
state developmental center; |
|
(4) divert future admissions of residents who are not |
|
alleged offenders from the designated state developmental center; |
|
and |
|
(5) provide training regarding the service delivery |
|
system for alleged offender residents to direct care employees of |
|
the designated state developmental center. |
|
(c) Notwithstanding Section 594.014, an alleged offender |
|
resident who is transferred to the designated state developmental |
|
center is not entitled to an administrative hearing regarding a |
|
transfer of the resident. |
|
(d) The department shall ensure that the designated state |
|
developmental center complies with the requirements for ICF-MR |
|
certification under the Medicaid program as appropriate. |
|
[Sections 555.003-555.020 reserved for expansion] |
|
SUBCHAPTER B. POWERS AND DUTIES |
|
Sec. 555.021. REQUIRED CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS FOR |
|
EMPLOYEES AND VOLUNTEERS. (a) The department and the Department of |
|
State Health Services shall perform a state and federal criminal |
|
history background check on a person: |
|
(1) who is: |
|
(A) an applicant for employment with the agency; |
|
(B) an employee of the agency; |
|
(C) a volunteer with the agency; or |
|
(D) an applicant for a volunteer position with |
|
the agency; and |
|
(2) who would be placed in direct contact with a |
|
resident or client. |
|
(b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules requiring |
|
a person described by Subsection (a) to submit fingerprints in a |
|
form and of a quality acceptable to the Department of Public Safety |
|
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for use in conducting a |
|
criminal history background check. |
|
(c) Each agency shall obtain electronic updates from the |
|
Department of Public Safety of arrests and convictions of a person: |
|
(1) for whom the agency performs a background check |
|
under Subsection (a); and |
|
(2) who remains an employee or volunteer of the agency |
|
and continues to have direct contact with a resident or client. |
|
Sec. 555.022. DRUG TESTING; POLICY. (a) The executive |
|
commissioner by rule shall adopt a policy regarding random testing |
|
and reasonable suspicion testing for the illegal use of drugs by an |
|
employee of a state developmental center. |
|
(b) The director of a state developmental center shall |
|
enforce the policy adopted under Subsection (a) by performing |
|
necessary drug testing of employees of the state developmental |
|
center for the use of a controlled substance as defined by Section |
|
481.002. |
|
(c) Testing under this section may be performed on a random |
|
basis or on reasonable suspicion of the use of a controlled |
|
substance. |
|
(d) For purposes of this section, a report made under |
|
Section 555.023 is considered reasonable suspicion of the use of a |
|
controlled substance. |
|
Sec. 555.023. REPORTS OF ILLEGAL DRUG USE; POLICY. The |
|
executive commissioner by rule shall adopt a policy requiring an |
|
employee of a state developmental center who knows or reasonably |
|
suspects that another employee of the state developmental center is |
|
illegally using or under the influence of a controlled substance, |
|
as defined by Section 481.002, to report that knowledge or |
|
reasonable suspicion to the director of the state developmental |
|
center. |
|
Sec. 555.024. DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER EMPLOYEE TRAINING. (a) |
|
Before a developmental center employee begins to perform the |
|
employee's duties without direct supervision, the department shall |
|
provide the employee with competency training and a course of |
|
instruction about the general duties of a developmental center |
|
employee. The department shall ensure the basic developmental |
|
center employee competency course focuses on: |
|
(1) the uniqueness of the individuals the |
|
developmental center employee serves; |
|
(2) techniques for improving quality of life for and |
|
promoting the health and safety of individuals with mental |
|
retardation; and |
|
(3) the conduct expected of developmental center |
|
employees. |
|
(b) The department shall ensure the training required by |
|
Subsection (a) provides instruction and information regarding the |
|
following topics: |
|
(1) the general operation and layout of the state |
|
developmental center, including armed intruder lockdown |
|
procedures; |
|
(2) an introduction to mental retardation; |
|
(3) an introduction to mental illness and dual |
|
diagnosis; |
|
(4) the rights of individuals with mental retardation |
|
who receive services from the department; |
|
(5) respecting personal choices made by residents and |
|
clients; |
|
(6) the safe and proper use of restraints; |
|
(7) recognizing and reporting: |
|
(A) abuse, neglect, and exploitation of |
|
individuals with mental retardation; |
|
(B) unusual incidents; |
|
(C) reasonable suspicion of illegal drug use in |
|
the workplace; |
|
(D) workplace violence; or |
|
(E) sexual harassment in the workplace; |
|
(8) preventing and treating infection; |
|
(9) first aid; |
|
(10) cardiopulmonary resuscitation; |
|
(11) the Health Insurance Portability and |
|
Accountability Act of 1996 (29 U.S.C. Section 1181 et seq.); and |
|
(12) civil rights of developmental center employees. |
|
(c) In addition to the training required by Subsection (a) |
|
and before a direct care employee begins to perform the direct care |
|
employee's duties without direct supervision, the department shall |
|
provide a direct care employee with training and instructional |
|
information regarding the following topics: |
|
(1) prevention and management of aggressive behavior; |
|
(2) observing and reporting changes in behavior, |
|
appearance, or health of residents and clients; |
|
(3) positive behavior support; |
|
(4) emergency response; |
|
(5) person-directed plans; |
|
(6) seizure safety; |
|
(7) techniques for: |
|
(A) lifting; |
|
(B) positioning; and |
|
(C) movement and mobility; |
|
(8) working with aging residents and clients; |
|
(9) assisting residents and clients: |
|
(A) who have a visual impairment; |
|
(B) who have a hearing deficit; or |
|
(C) who require the use of adaptive devices and |
|
specialized equipment; |
|
(10) communicating with residents and clients who use |
|
augmentative and alternative devices for communication; |
|
(11) assisting residents and clients with personal |
|
hygiene; |
|
(12) recognizing appropriate food textures; |
|
(13) using proper feeding techniques to assist |
|
residents and clients with meals; and |
|
(14) physical and nutritional management plans. |
|
Sec. 555.025. VIDEO SURVEILLANCE. (a) In this section, |
|
"private space" means a place in a state developmental center or the |
|
ICF-MR component of the Rio Grande State Center in which a resident |
|
or client has a reasonable expectation of privacy, including: |
|
(1) a bedroom; |
|
(2) a bathroom; |
|
(3) a place in which a resident or client receives |
|
medical or nursing services; |
|
(4) a place in which a resident or client meets |
|
privately with visitors; or |
|
(5) a place in which a resident or client privately |
|
makes phone calls. |
|
(b) The department may install and operate video |
|
surveillance equipment in a state developmental center or the |
|
ICF-MR component of the Rio Grande State Center for the purpose of |
|
detecting and preventing the exploitation or abuse of residents and |
|
clients. |
|
(c) The department may not install or operate video |
|
surveillance equipment in a private space or in a location in which |
|
video surveillance equipment can capture images within a private |
|
space. |
|
(d) The department shall ensure the use of video |
|
surveillance equipment under this section complies with federal |
|
requirements for ICF-MR certification. |
|
Sec. 555.026. MORTALITY REVIEW. (a) The executive |
|
commissioner shall establish an independent mortality review |
|
system to review the death of a person who, at the time of the |
|
person's death, was a resident or client. |
|
(b) A review under this section shall be conducted in |
|
addition to any review conducted by the state developmental center |
|
or the Rio Grande State Center. |
|
(c) The executive commissioner shall contract with a |
|
patient safety organization certified in accordance with 42 C.F.R. |
|
Part 3, as effective on January 20, 2009, to conduct independent |
|
mortality reviews required by this section. The contract must |
|
require the patient safety organization to conduct an independent |
|
mortality review using a team consisting of: |
|
(1) a physician with expertise regarding the medical |
|
treatment of individuals with mental retardation; |
|
(2) a registered nurse with expertise regarding the |
|
medical treatment of individuals with mental retardation; |
|
(3) a clinician or other professional with expertise |
|
in the delivery of services and supports for individuals with |
|
mental retardation; and |
|
(4) any other appropriate person as provided by the |
|
executive commissioner. |
|
(d) A patient safety organization that performs an |
|
independent mortality review shall submit to the department, the |
|
office of independent ombudsman, and the commission's office of |
|
inspector general a report of the findings of the mortality review. |
|
(e) The department may use information from a mortality |
|
review report only to advance statewide practices regarding the |
|
treatment and care of individuals with mental retardation or other |
|
disabilities. |
|
(f) The department may release a summary or a statistical |
|
compilation of data drawn from reports submitted under this section |
|
only if the summary or statistical compilation does not contain |
|
information that would permit the identification of an individual. |
|
[Sections 555.027-555.050 reserved for expansion] |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. OFFICE OF INDEPENDENT OMBUDSMAN FOR STATE |
|
DEVELOPMENTAL CENTERS |
|
Sec. 555.051. ESTABLISHMENT; PURPOSE. The office of |
|
independent ombudsman is administratively attached to the |
|
department for the purpose of investigating, evaluating, and |
|
securing the rights of the residents and clients of state |
|
developmental centers. |
|
Sec. 555.052. INDEPENDENCE. The independent ombudsman in |
|
the performance of the ombudsman's duties and powers under this |
|
subchapter acts independently of the department. |
|
Sec. 555.053. APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT OMBUDSMAN. The |
|
governor shall appoint the independent ombudsman. |
|
Sec. 555.054. ASSISTANT OMBUDSMEN. The independent |
|
ombudsman shall: |
|
(1) hire assistant ombudsmen to perform, under the |
|
direction of the independent ombudsman, the same duties and |
|
exercise the same powers as the independent ombudsman; and |
|
(2) station an assistant ombudsman at each state |
|
developmental center. |
|
Sec. 555.055. CONFLICT OF INTEREST. A person may not serve |
|
as independent ombudsman or as an assistant ombudsman if the person |
|
or the person's spouse: |
|
(1) is employed by or participates in the management |
|
of a business entity or other organization receiving funds from the |
|
department; |
|
(2) owns or controls, directly or indirectly, any |
|
interest in a business entity or other organization receiving funds |
|
from the department; or |
|
(3) is required to register as a lobbyist under |
|
Chapter 305, Government Code, because of the person's activities or |
|
compensation on behalf of a profession related to the operation of |
|
the department. |
|
Sec. 555.056. REPORT. (a) The independent ombudsman shall |
|
submit on a biannual basis to the governor, the lieutenant |
|
governor, and the speaker of the house of representatives a report |
|
that is both aggregated and disaggregated by individual state |
|
developmental center and describes: |
|
(1) the work of the independent ombudsman; |
|
(2) the results of any review or investigation |
|
undertaken by the independent ombudsman, including reviews or |
|
investigation of services contracted by the department; and |
|
(3) any recommendations that the independent |
|
ombudsman has in relation to the duties of the independent |
|
ombudsman. |
|
(b) The independent ombudsman shall ensure that information |
|
submitted in a report under Subsection (a) does not permit the |
|
identification of an individual. |
|
(c) The independent ombudsman shall immediately report to |
|
the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of |
|
representatives any particularly serious or flagrant: |
|
(1) case of abuse or injury of a resident or client |
|
about which the independent ombudsman is made aware; |
|
(2) problem concerning the administration of a state |
|
developmental center program or operation; or |
|
(3) interference by a state developmental center, the |
|
department, or the commission with an investigation conducted by |
|
the independent ombudsman. |
|
Sec. 555.057. COMMUNICATION AND CONFIDENTIALITY. (a) The |
|
department shall allow any resident or client, authorized |
|
representative of a resident or client, family member of a resident |
|
or client, or other interested party to communicate with the |
|
independent ombudsman or an assistant ombudsman. The |
|
communication: |
|
(1) may be in person, by mail, or by any other means; |
|
and |
|
(2) is confidential and privileged. |
|
(b) The records of the independent ombudsman are |
|
confidential, except that the independent ombudsman shall: |
|
(1) share with the Department of Family and Protective |
|
Services a communication that may involve the abuse, neglect, or |
|
exploitation of a resident or client; |
|
(2) share with the regulatory services division of the |
|
department a communication that may involve a violation of an |
|
ICF-MR standard or condition of participation; and |
|
(3) disclose the ombudsman's nonprivileged records if |
|
required by a court order on a showing of good cause. |
|
(c) The independent ombudsman may make reports relating to |
|
an investigation public after the investigation is complete but |
|
only if the name and any other personally identifiable information |
|
of a resident or client, authorized representative of a resident or |
|
client, family member of a resident or client, state developmental |
|
center, and employee of a state developmental center are redacted |
|
from the report and remain confidential. |
|
(d) The name, address, or other personally identifiable |
|
information of a person who files a complaint with the office of |
|
independent ombudsman, information generated by the office of |
|
independent ombudsman in the course of an investigation, and |
|
confidential records obtained by the office of independent |
|
ombudsman are confidential and not subject to disclosure under |
|
Chapter 552, Government Code, except as provided by this section. |
|
Sec. 555.058. PROMOTION OF AWARENESS OF OFFICE. The |
|
independent ombudsman shall promote awareness among the public, |
|
residents, clients, and employees of state developmental centers |
|
of: |
|
(1) how the office may be contacted; |
|
(2) the purpose of the office; and |
|
(3) the services the office provides. |
|
Sec. 555.059. DUTIES AND POWERS. (a) The independent |
|
ombudsman shall: |
|
(1) evaluate the delivery of services to residents and |
|
clients to ensure that the rights of residents and clients are fully |
|
observed; |
|
(2) refer a complaint alleging the abuse, neglect, or |
|
exploitation of a resident or client to the Department of Family and |
|
Protective Services for investigation; |
|
(3) refer a complaint alleging a possible violation of |
|
an ICF-MR standard or condition of participation to the regulatory |
|
services division of the department; |
|
(4) refer a complaint alleging a criminal offense, |
|
other than an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a |
|
resident or client, to the commission's office of inspector |
|
general; |
|
(5) conduct investigations of complaints, other than |
|
complaints alleging criminal offenses or the abuse, neglect, or |
|
exploitation of a resident or client, if the office determines |
|
that: |
|
(A) a resident or client or the resident's or |
|
client's family may be in need of assistance from the office; or |
|
(B) a complaint raises the possibility of a |
|
systemic issue in the state developmental center's provision of |
|
services; |
|
(6) conduct an annual audit of each state |
|
developmental center's policies, practices, and procedures to |
|
ensure that each resident and client is encouraged to exercise the |
|
resident's or client's rights, including: |
|
(A) the right to file a complaint; and |
|
(B) the right to due process; |
|
(7) prepare and deliver an annual report regarding the |
|
findings of each audit to the: |
|
(A) executive commissioner; |
|
(B) commissioner; |
|
(C) Aging and Disability Services Council; |
|
(D) governor; |
|
(E) lieutenant governor; |
|
(F) speaker of the house of representatives; |
|
(G) standing committees of the senate and house |
|
of representatives with primary jurisdiction over state |
|
developmental centers; and |
|
(H) state auditor; |
|
(8) require a state developmental center to provide |
|
access to all records, data, and other information under the |
|
control of the center that the independent ombudsman determines is |
|
necessary to investigate a complaint or to conduct an audit under |
|
this section; |
|
(9) review all final reports produced by the |
|
Department of Family and Protective Services and the regulatory |
|
services division of the department regarding a complaint referred |
|
by the independent ombudsman; |
|
(10) provide assistance to a resident, client, |
|
authorized representative of a resident or client, or family member |
|
of a resident or client who the independent ombudsman determines is |
|
in need of assistance, including advocating with an agency, |
|
provider, or other person in the best interests of the resident or |
|
client; and |
|
(11) make appropriate referrals under any of the |
|
duties and powers listed in this subsection. |
|
(b) The independent ombudsman may apprise a person who is |
|
interested in a resident's or client's welfare of the rights of the |
|
resident or client. |
|
(c) To assess whether a resident's or client's rights have |
|
been violated, the independent ombudsman may, in any matter that |
|
does not involve an alleged criminal offense or the abuse, neglect, |
|
or exploitation of a resident or client, contact or consult with an |
|
administrator, employee, resident, client, family member of a |
|
resident or client, expert, or other individual in the course of the |
|
investigation or to secure information. |
|
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, |
|
the independent ombudsman may not investigate an alleged criminal |
|
offense or the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a |
|
resident or client. The independent ombudsman shall refer an |
|
allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or |
|
client to the Department of Family and Protective Services. |
|
Sec. 555.060. RETALIATION PROHIBITED. The department or a |
|
state developmental center may not retaliate against a department |
|
employee or employee of a state developmental center who in good |
|
faith makes a complaint to the office of independent ombudsman or |
|
cooperates with the office in an investigation. |
|
Sec. 555.061. TOLL-FREE NUMBER. (a) The office shall |
|
establish a permanent, toll-free number for the purpose of |
|
receiving any information concerning the violation of a right of a |
|
resident or client. |
|
(b) The office shall ensure that: |
|
(1) the toll-free number is prominently displayed in |
|
the main administration area of a state developmental center and in |
|
each room in which a resident lives or a client receives services; |
|
and |
|
(2) a resident, a client, the authorized |
|
representative of a resident, and an employee of a state |
|
developmental center have confidential access to a telephone for |
|
the purpose of calling the toll-free number. |
|
SECTION 10. Section 591.003, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subdivision (19-a) to read as follows: |
|
(19-a) "State developmental center" has the meaning |
|
provided by Section 531.002. |
|
SECTION 11. Section 593.042, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (c) to read as follows: |
|
(c) An application for commitment of a person to a |
|
residential care facility that is a state developmental center must |
|
include a statement demonstrating that the proposed resident meets |
|
the requirements for commitment to a state developmental center |
|
under Section 593.052(a-1). |
|
SECTION 12. Section 593.052, Health and Safety Code, is |
|
amended by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsections |
|
(a-1) and (b-1) to read as follows: |
|
(a) A proposed resident may not be committed to a |
|
residential care facility unless: |
|
(1) the proposed resident is a person with mental |
|
retardation; |
|
(2) evidence is presented showing that because of |
|
retardation, the proposed resident: |
|
(A) represents a substantial risk of physical |
|
impairment or injury to himself or others; or |
|
(B) is unable to provide for and is not providing |
|
for the proposed resident's most basic personal physical needs; |
|
(3) the proposed resident cannot be adequately and |
|
appropriately habilitated in an available, less restrictive |
|
setting; and |
|
(4) the residential care facility: |
|
(A) provides habilitative services, care, |
|
training, and treatment appropriate to the proposed resident's |
|
needs; and |
|
(B) is not a state developmental center. |
|
(a-1) A proposed resident may not be committed to a |
|
residential care facility that is a state developmental center |
|
unless: |
|
(1) the proposed resident is a person with: |
|
(A) severe or profound mental retardation; or |
|
(B) mild or moderate mental retardation who: |
|
(i) has extraordinary medical needs; or |
|
(ii) exhibits dangerous behavior that |
|
represents a substantial risk of physical impairment or injury to |
|
self or others; |
|
(2) evidence is presented showing that the proposed |
|
resident: |
|
(A) represents a substantial risk of physical |
|
impairment or injury to self or others; or |
|
(B) is unable to provide for and is not providing |
|
for the proposed resident's most basic personal physical needs; |
|
(3) the proposed resident cannot be adequately and |
|
appropriately habilitated in an available, less restrictive |
|
setting; and |
|
(4) the residential care facility is a state |
|
developmental center that provides habilitative services, care, |
|
training, and treatment appropriate to the proposed resident's |
|
needs. |
|
(b) If it is determined that the requirements of Subsection |
|
(a) have been met and that long-term placement in a residential care |
|
facility, other than a state developmental center, is appropriate, |
|
the court shall commit the proposed resident for care, treatment, |
|
and training to a community center or the Department of Aging and |
|
Disability Services [department] when space is available in a |
|
residential care facility, other than a state developmental center. |
|
(b-1) If it is determined that the requirements of |
|
Subsection (a-1) have been met and that long-term placement in a |
|
residential care facility that is a state developmental center is |
|
appropriate, the court shall commit the proposed resident for care, |
|
treatment, and training to the Department of Aging and Disability |
|
Services when space is available in a state developmental center. |
|
SECTION 13. Section 48.252, Human Resources Code, is |
|
amended by adding Subsection (d) to read as follows: |
|
(d) If an investigation under this section reveals evidence |
|
of the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a resident or client of a |
|
state developmental center as defined by Section 531.002, Health |
|
and Safety Code, or the ICF-MR component of the Rio Grande State |
|
Center, and a caseworker of the department or a supervisor of a |
|
caseworker believes that the abuse, neglect, or exploitation is a |
|
criminal offense, the caseworker or supervisor shall immediately |
|
notify the Health and Human Services Commission's office of |
|
inspector general and promptly provide the Health and Human |
|
Services Commission's office of inspector general with a copy of |
|
the department's investigation report. |
|
SECTION 14. (a) Not later than December 1, 2009, the Health |
|
and Human Services Commission's office of inspector general shall |
|
begin employing peace officers as required by Section 531.1022, |
|
Government Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(b) Not later than September 1, 2014, the Department of |
|
Aging and Disability Services shall designate a state developmental |
|
center for alleged offender residents as required by Section |
|
555.002, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(c) Not later than January 1, 2010, the Department of Aging |
|
and Disability Services shall develop the training required by |
|
Section 555.024, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
|
(d) The Department of Aging and Disability Services shall |
|
ensure that all developmental center employees and direct care |
|
employees receive the training required by Section 555.024, Health |
|
and Safety Code, as added by this Act, regardless of when the |
|
employee was hired, not later than September 1, 2010. |
|
(e) Not later than December 1, 2009, the executive |
|
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
|
adopt rules as required by Section 555.022, Health and Safety Code, |
|
as added by this Act. |
|
(f) Not later than December 1, 2009, the executive |
|
commissioner shall contract for mortality review services as |
|
required by Section 555.026, Health and Safety Code, as added by |
|
this Act. |
|
(g) Not later than December 1, 2009, the governor shall |
|
appoint the independent ombudsman as required by Section 555.053, |
|
Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act. |
|
SECTION 15. (a) Section 411.1144, Government Code, as |
|
added by this Act, and Section 555.021, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
added by this Act, apply only to background and criminal history |
|
checks performed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
(b) Not later than September 1, 2009, the executive |
|
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall |
|
adopt rules as required by Section 555.021, Health and Safety Code, |
|
as added by this Act. |
|
SECTION 16. (a) The change in law made by Section |
|
551.022(e), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, and the |
|
change in law made by Section 551.0225, Health and Safety Code, as |
|
added by this Act, apply to the dismissal of an officer, teacher, or |
|
other employee of a state developmental center hired on or after the |
|
effective date of this Act. |
|
(b) The dismissal of an officer, teacher, or other employee |
|
of a state developmental center hired before the effective date of |
|
this Act is governed by the law in effect when the officer, teacher, |
|
or other employee was hired, and the former law is continued in |
|
effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 17. (a) Sections 593.042 and 593.052, Health and |
|
Safety Code, as amended by this Act, apply only to an order for |
|
commitment to a residential care facility based on an application |
|
filed on or after the effective date of this Act. |
|
(b) An order for commitment to a residential care facility |
|
based on an application filed before the effective date of this Act |
|
is governed by the law in effect at the time the application was |
|
filed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. |
|
SECTION 18. This Act takes effect immediately if it |
|
receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each |
|
house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. |
|
If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate |
|
effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009. |