Texas 2019 86th Regular

Texas House Bill HB2452 Introduced / Bill

Filed 02/26/2019

                    By: Goldman H.B. No. 2452


 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 AN ACT
 relating to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation
 complaint review process.
 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 SECTION 1.  Section 51.252, Occupations Code, is amended by
 adding Subsections (e), (f), and (g) to read as follows:
 (e)  The department may contract with a qualified individual
 to assist with the complaint review process.
 (f)  Except for any action by a qualified individual
 involving fraud, conspiracy, or malice, a qualified individual with
 whom the department contracts to provide complaint review services
 is immune from liability and may not be subject to a suit for
 damages for any act arising from the performance of their duties in:
 (1)  participating in an informal conference to
 determine the facts of a complaint;
 (2)  evaluating evidence in a complaint filed with the
 department and offering an expert opinion or technical guidance
 about possible violations;
 (3)  testifying at a hearing regarding a complaint; and
 (4)  making an evaluation, report, or recommendation
 regarding a complaint.
 (g)  The department may accept, but is not obligated to
 investigate, a complaint that lacks sufficient information to
 identify the source or the name of the person who filed the
 complaint.
 SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
 a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
 provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
 Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
 Act takes effect September 1, 2019.