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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to reimbursing certain Department of Family and Protective |
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Services employees for certain legal expenses. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 40.060, Human Resources Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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Sec. 40.060. INDEMNIFICATION AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR LEGAL |
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EXPENSES. (a) If a present or former employee of the department |
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who is or was involved in activities relating to the protection of |
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children or elderly persons or persons with disabilities is |
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criminally prosecuted for conduct involving the person's |
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misfeasance or nonfeasance in the course and scope of the person's |
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employment and is found not guilty after a trial or appeal or if the |
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complaint or indictment is dismissed without a plea of guilty or |
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nolo contendere being entered, the department may indemnify the |
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person or the person's estate for the reasonable attorney's fees |
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incurred in defense of the prosecution up to a maximum of $10,000. |
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(b) If a present employee of the department who is involved |
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in activities relating to the protection of children or elderly |
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persons or persons with disabilities seeks a protective or |
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restraining order while in the course and scope of their employment |
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with the department, the department may reimburse the person for |
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the reasonable attorney's fees incurred in obtaining the protective |
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or restraining order up to a maximum amount of $5,000. |
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SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date |
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of this Act, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall |
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adopt rules to implement Section 40.060(b), Human Resources Code, |
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as added by this Act. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |