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TITLE 26 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
PART 1 - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION
CHAPTER 711 - INVESTIGATIONS OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING SERVICES FROM CERTAIN PROVIDERS
SUBCHAPTER A - INTRODUCTION
SECTION/RULE §711.17 - How is verbal/emotional abuse defined?
Chapter Review Date 08/08/2023

(a) In this chapter, when the alleged perpetrator is a direct provider, verbal/emotional abuse is defined as:(1) the willful infliction of an act or repeated acts of verbal or other communication, including gestures, to harass, intimidate, humiliate, or degrade an individual receiving services; or(2) threats of physical or emotional harm against an individual receiving services.(b) In order for the definition of verbal/emotional abuse to be met, the act or communication must:(1) result in an individual receiving services experiencing:(A) significant impairment to his or her physical, mental, or emotional health;(B) substantial physical, mental, or emotional distress as identified by an appropriate medical professional; or(2) be of such a serious nature that a reasonable person would consider it causing significant impairment to the physical, mental, or emotional health of the victim.

Source Note: The provisions of this §711.17 adopted to be effective May 1, 2001, 26 TexReg 2755; amended to be effective January 1, 2004, 28 TexReg 11345; amended to be effective September 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 6218; amended to be effective March 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 903; transferred effective June 15, 2019, as published in the Texas Register May 24, 2019, 44 TexReg 2617.

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