89R9598 RAL-F
By: West S.B. No. 1526
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to reimbursing certain Department of Family and Protective
Services employees for certain legal expenses.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 40.060, Human Resources Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 40.060. INDEMNIFICATION AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR LEGAL
EXPENSES. (a) If a present or former employee of the department
who is or was involved in activities relating to the protection of
children or elderly persons or persons with disabilities is
criminally prosecuted for conduct involving the person's
misfeasance or nonfeasance in the course and scope of the person's
employment and is found not guilty after a trial or appeal or if the
complaint or indictment is dismissed without a plea of guilty or
nolo contendere being entered, the department may indemnify the
person or the person's estate for the reasonable attorney's fees
incurred in defense of the prosecution up to a maximum of $10,000.
(b) If a present employee of the department who is involved
in activities relating to the protection of children or elderly
persons or persons with disabilities seeks a protective or
restraining order while in the course and scope of their employment
with the department, the department may reimburse the person for
the reasonable attorney's fees incurred in obtaining the protective
or restraining order up to a maximum amount of $5,000.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the Department of Family and Protective Services shall
adopt rules to implement Section 40.060(b), Human Resources Code,
as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.