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Texas Statutes (Last Updated: January 4, 2014) |
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OCCUPATIONS CODE |
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Title 3. HEALTH PROFESSIONS |
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Subtitle I. REGULATION OF PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING |
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Chapter 505. SOCIAL WORKERS |
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Subchapter E. PUBLIC ACCESS INFORMATION AND COMPLAINT PROCEDURES |
Sec. 505.254. GENERAL RULES REGARDING COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION AND DISPOSITION
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(a) The board shall adopt rules concerning the investigation of a complaint filed with the department and referred to the board. The rules adopted under this subsection must:
(1) distinguish among categories of complaints;
(2) ensure that a complaint is not dismissed without appropriate consideration;
(3) require that the board be advised of a complaint that is dismissed and that a letter be sent to the person who filed the complaint explaining the action taken on the dismissed complaint;
(4) ensure that the person who filed the complaint has an opportunity to explain the allegations made in the complaint;
(5) prescribe guidelines concerning the categories of complaints that require the use of a private investigator and the procedures for the board to obtain the services of a private investigator; and
(6) prescribe the time after an act or omission during which a person may file a complaint with the board regarding the act or omission in order for the board to consider the complaint.
(b) The board shall:
(1) dispose of each complaint in a timely manner; and
(2) establish a schedule for conducting each phase of a complaint that is under the control of the board not later than the 30th day after the date the board receives the complaint.
(c) Each party to the complaint shall be notified of the projected time requirements for the complaint. Each party to the complaint shall be notified of any change in the schedule established under Subsection (b)(2) not later than the seventh day after the date the change is made.
(d) The executive director shall notify the board of a complaint that is not resolved within the time prescribed by the board for resolving the complaint so that the board may take necessary action on the complaint.
(e) The board may conduct an investigation of a complaint and determine the validity of the complaint regardless of the status of the license or order of recognition of specialty of the person against whom the complaint is made.