Sec. 551.022. POWERS AND DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENT. (a) The superintendent of a department facility for persons with mental illness is the administrative head of that facility.

(b) The superintendent has the custody of and responsibility to care for the buildings, grounds, furniture, and other property relating to the facility.

(c) The superintendent shall:

(1) oversee the admission and discharge of patients;

(2) keep a register of all patients admitted to or discharged from the facility;

(3) supervise repairs and improvements to the facility;

(4) ensure that facility 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 to whom and the purpose for which the money is spent; and

(6) keep a full record of the facility's operations.

(d) In accordance with department rules and departmental operating procedures, the superintendent may:

(1) establish policy to govern the facility that the superintendent considers will best promote the patients' interest and welfare;

(2) appoint subordinate officers, teachers, and other employees and set their salaries, in the absence of other law; and

(3) remove an officer, teacher, or employee for good cause.

(e) This section does not apply to a state supported living center or the director of a state supported living center.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 821, Sec. 17, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 284 (S.B. 643), Sec. 20, eff. June 11, 2009.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.1337, eff. April 2, 2015.