Tex. Health & Safety Code Section 161.134
Retaliation Against Employees Prohibited


(a)

A hospital, mental health facility, or treatment facility may not suspend or terminate the employment of or discipline or otherwise discriminate against an employee for reporting to the employee’s supervisor, an administrator of the facility, a state regulatory agency, or a law enforcement agency a violation of law, including a violation of this chapter, a rule adopted under this chapter, or a rule of another agency.

(b)

A hospital, mental health facility, or treatment facility that violates Subsection (a) is liable to the person discriminated against. A person who has been discriminated against in violation of Subsection (a) may sue for injunctive relief, damages, or both.

(c)

A plaintiff who prevails in a suit under this section may recover actual damages, including damages for mental anguish even if an injury other than mental anguish is not shown.

(d)

In addition to an award under Subsection (c), a plaintiff who prevails in a suit under this section may recover exemplary damages and reasonable attorney fees.

(e)

In addition to amounts recovered under Subsections (c) and (d), a plaintiff is entitled to, if applicable:

(1)

reinstatement in the plaintiff’s former position;

(2)

compensation for lost wages; and

(3)

reinstatement of lost fringe benefits or seniority rights.

(f)

A plaintiff suing under this section has the burden of proof, except that it is a rebuttable presumption that the plaintiff’s employment was suspended or terminated, or that the employee was disciplined or discriminated against, for making a report related to a violation if the suspension, termination, discipline, or discrimination occurs before the 60th day after the date on which the plaintiff made a report in good faith.

(g)

A suit under this section may be brought in the district court of the county in which:

(1)

the plaintiff was employed by the defendant; or

(2)

the defendant conducts business.

(h)

A person who alleges a violation of Subsection (a) must sue under this section before the 180th day after the date the alleged violation occurred or was discovered by the employee through the use of reasonable diligence.

(i)

This section does not abrogate any other right to sue or interfere with any other cause of action.

(j)

Each hospital, mental health facility, and treatment facility shall prominently and conspicuously post for display in a public area of the facility that is readily available to patients, residents, employees, and visitors a statement that employees and staff are protected from discrimination or retaliation for reporting a violation of law. The statement must be in English and in a second language.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 573, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1993.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0476, eff. April 2, 2015.

Source: Section 161.134 — Retaliation Against Employees Prohibited, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/HS/htm/HS.­161.­htm#161.­134 (accessed Mar. 23, 2024).

161.0001
Definitions
161.001
Liability of Person Who Orders or Administers Immunization
161.002
Inadmissibility of Immunization Survey Information
161.003
Immunization Reminder Notices
161.004
Statewide Immunization of Children
161.005
Immunizations Required
161.006
Department Immunization Service
161.007
Immunization Registry
161.008
Immunization Record
161.009
Penalties for Disclosure of Information
161.010
Immunization Education
161.011
Permission Required
161.012
Criminal Penalties
161.021
Authorization to Provide Information
161.022
Use and Publication Restrictions
161.023
No Liability for Reports to Medical Committee
161.024
Application to Health Maintenance Organization
161.031
Medical Committee Defined
161.032
Records and Proceedings Confidential
161.033
Immunity for Committee Members
161.0041
Immunization Exemption Affidavit Form
161.041
Mandatory Reporting of Gunshot Wounds
161.042
Mandatory Reporting of Controlled Substance Overdoses
161.043
Criminal Penalty
161.044
Controlled Substance Overdose Information Repository
161.045
Mandatory Reporting of Controlled Substance Overdoses for Public Safety Mapping
161.0051
Required Immunizations for Nursing Homes
161.0052
Immunization of Elderly Persons by Hospitals, End Stage Renal Disease Facilities, and Physicians’ Offices
161.061
Laboratory Information Required
161.062
Grounds for License Denial
161.0071
Notice of Receipt of Registry Data
161.071
Minimum Guidelines for Human Donor Milk Banks
161.0072
Providing Immunization Information to Department
161.0073
Registry Confidentiality
161.0074
Report to Legislature
161.0075
Immunity from Liability
161.0076
Compliance with Federal Law
161.081
Definitions
161.084
Warning Notice
161.085
Notification of Employees and Agents
161.086
Vendor Assisted Sales Required
161.087
Distribution of Cigarettes, E-cigarettes, or Tobacco Products
161.088
Enforcement
161.089
Preemption of Local Law
161.090
Reports of Violation
161.0095
Education Programs and Information
161.0101
Increase Immunization Awareness
161.101
Tests for Exposure to Lead
161.0102
Vaccines for Children Program
161.0104
Disaster Preparation
161.0105
Limitation on Liability
161.0106
Respiratory Syncytial Virus
161.0107
Electronic Medical Records Systems
161.0108
Injunction
161.0109
Human Papillomavirus
161.121
Definitions
161.122
Prohibition Relating to Certain Signs
161.123
Advertising Fee
161.125
Administrative Penalty
161.131
Definitions
161.132
Reports of Abuse and Neglect or of Illegal, Unprofessional, or Unethical Conduct
161.133
Inservice Training
161.134
Retaliation Against Employees Prohibited
161.135
Retaliation Against Nonemployees Prohibited
161.136
Brochure Relating to Sexual Exploitation
161.137
Penalties
161.201
Definition
161.202
Fees
161.203
Distribution of Records
161.204
Application of Other Law
161.0211
Epidemiologic or Toxicologic Investigations
161.0212
Right of Entry
161.0213
Confidentiality
161.251
Definitions
161.252
Possession, Purchase, Consumption, or Receipt of Cigarettes, E-cigarettes, or Tobacco Products by Minors Prohibited
161.253
E-cigarette and Tobacco Awareness Program
161.255
Expungement of Conviction
161.256
Jurisdiction of Courts
161.257
Application of Other Law
161.301
Tobacco and E-cigarette Use Public Awareness Campaign
161.302
Grant Program for Youth Groups
161.0315
Authority of Governing Body to Form Committee to Evaluate Medical and Health Care Services
161.351
Definitions
161.352
Report to Department
161.354
Public Information
161.355
Injunction
161.356
Compliance with Federal Law
161.401
Definitions
161.402
Material Safety Data Sheet Required
161.403
Injunction
161.404
Civil Penalty
161.405
Recovery of Costs
161.406
Administrative Penalty
161.407
Remedies Cumulative
161.451
Definitions
161.452
Requirements for Delivery Sales
161.453
Age Verification Requirement
161.454
Disclosure Requirements
161.456
Registration and Reporting Requirements
161.457
Collection of Taxes
161.458
General Offenses
161.459
Knowing Violation
161.460
Civil Penalty for Nonpayment of Tax
161.461
Forfeiture
161.462
Enforcement
161.471
Definitions
161.472
Formation of Kidney Sharing Pool and Distribution to Longest Waiting Patients
161.473
Discrimination on Basis of Disability Prohibited
161.501
Resource Pamphlet and Resource Guide Provided to Parents of Newborn Children
161.502
Duties of Department, Executive Commissioner, and Commission
161.503
Liability Not Created
161.551
Definitions
161.552
Directory of Services
161.601
Purpose
161.602
Definitions
161.603
Fee Imposed
161.604
Rate of Fee
161.605
Distributor’s Report and Payment of Monthly Fee
161.606
Report to Attorney General Before Offering Non-settling Manufacturer Cigarettes or Cigarette Tobacco Products for Sale or Distribution in This State
161.607
Penalties for Noncompliance
161.608
Appointment of Agent for Service of Process
161.609
Audit or Inspection
161.610
Comptroller Information Sharing
161.611
Revenue Deposited in General Revenue Fund
161.612
Released Claims
161.613
Application of Subchapter
161.614
Rules
161.651
Definitions
161.652
Information Regarding down Syndrome
161.653
Duty of Health Care Provider
161.681
Notice for Children Receiving Chemotherapy or Radiation
161.701
Definitions
161.702
Prohibited Provision of Gender Transitioning or Gender Reassignment Procedures and Treatments to Certain Children
161.703
Exceptions
161.704
Prohibited Use of Public Money
161.00705
Recording Administration of Immunization and Medication for Disasters and Emergencies
161.705
Prohibited State Health Plan Reimbursement
161.00706
First Responder Immunization Information
161.706
Attorney General Enforcement
161.00707
Information and Education for First Responders
161.00708
Access to First Responder Immunization History
161.00735
Release and Receipt of Registry Data in Disaster
161.0815
Nonapplicability
161.0825
Use of Certain Electronically Readable Information
161.0875
Sale of E-cigarette Nicotine Containers
161.0876
Prohibited E-cigarette Products
161.0901
Disciplinary Action Against Cigarette, E-cigarette, and Tobacco Product Retailers
161.0902
E-cigarette Report
161.0903
Use of Certain Revenue
161.01035
Provider Choice System

Accessed:
Mar. 23, 2024

§ 161.134’s source at texas​.gov