Sec. 48.1522. REPORTS OF CRIMINAL CONDUCT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), if during the course of the department's or another state agency's investigation of reported abuse, neglect, or exploitation a caseworker of the department or other state agency, as applicable, or the caseworker's supervisor has cause to believe that the elderly person or person with a disability has been abused, neglected, or exploited by another person in a manner that constitutes a criminal offense under any law, including Section 22.04, Penal Code, the caseworker or supervisor shall:

(1) immediately notify an appropriate law enforcement agency, unless the law enforcement agency reported the alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the department; and

(2) provide the law enforcement agency with a copy of the investigation report of the department or other state agency, as applicable, in a timely manner.

(b) If during the course of the department's investigation of reported abuse, neglect, or exploitation a caseworker of the department or the caseworker's supervisor has cause to believe that a person with a disability who is a resident or client of a state supported living center or the ICF-IID component of the Rio Grande State Center has been abused, neglected, or exploited by another person in a manner that constitutes a criminal offense under any law, including Section 22.04, Penal Code, in addition to the report to the appropriate law enforcement agency required by Subsection (a), the caseworker shall immediately notify the commission's office of inspector general and promptly provide the commission's office of inspector general with a copy of the department's investigation report.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 2.11, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 284 (S.B. 643), Sec. 28, eff. June 11, 2009.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1056 (S.B. 221), Sec. 11, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.266, eff. April 2, 2015.