Sec. 142.018. REPORTS OF ABUSE, EXPLOITATION, OR NEGLECT

(a) In this section, "abuse," "exploitation," and "neglect" have the meanings applicable through a rule adopted by the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission under Section 48.002(c), Human Resources Code, except that if the executive commissioner has not adopted applicable rules under that section, the statutory definitions of those terms under Section 48.002(a), Human Resources Code, shall be used.

(b) A home and community support services agency that has cause to believe that a person receiving services from the agency has been abused, exploited, or neglected by an employee of the agency shall report the information to:

(1) the department; and

(2) the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or other appropriate state agency as required by Section 48.051, Human Resources Code.

(c) This section does not affect the duty or authority of any state agency to conduct an investigation of alleged abuse, exploitation, or neglect as provided by other law. An investigation of alleged abuse, exploitation, or neglect may be conducted without an on-site survey, as appropriate.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 276, Sec. 11, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 2.197, eff. Sept. 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1056 , Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2011.