This is a clone of the Texas Administrative Code (TAC) for educational purposes. It is not the official version and should not be used for legal purposes. Site created Wed, 21 May 2025 21:16:45 GMT
(a) Posting requirements for reporting a violation of law. In accordance with Health and Safety Code (HSC), §161.134(j) and §161.135(h), each hospital shall prominently and conspicuously post for display in a public area of the hospital that is readily visible to patients, residents, employees, and visitors a statement that nonemployees, employees and staff are protected from discrimination or retaliation for reporting a violation of law. The statement shall be in English and in a second language appropriate to the demographic makeup of the community served. (b) Discrimination relating to employee reporting a violation of law. In accordance with HSC, §161.134(a), and §133.41(o)(2)(I)(i)(III) of this title (relating to Hospital Functions and Services), a hospital may not suspend or terminate the employment of, discipline, or otherwise discriminate against an employee for reporting in good faith to the employee's supervisor, an administrator of the hospital, a state or federal regulatory agency, a national accrediting organization or a law enforcement agency a violation of law, including a violation of the Act or this chapter. For purposes of this subsection, a report is not made in good faith if there is not a reasonable factual or legal basis for making the report. (c) Retaliation relating to nonemployee reporting a violation of law. In accordance with HSC, §161.135(a), a hospital may not retaliate against a person who is not an employee for reporting a violation of law, including a violation of the Act or this chapter.