Tex. Human Resources Code Section 48.002
Definitions


(a)

Except as otherwise provided under Section 48.251 (Definitions), in this chapter:

(1)

“Elderly person” means a person 65 years of age or older.

(2)

“Abuse” means:

(A)

the negligent or wilful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or cruel punishment with resulting physical or emotional harm or pain to an elderly person or person with a disability by the person’s caretaker, family member, or other individual who has an ongoing relationship with the person; or

(B)

sexual abuse of an elderly person or person with a disability, including any involuntary or nonconsensual sexual conduct that would constitute an offense under Section 21.08 (Indecent Exposure), Penal Code (indecent exposure) or Chapter 22 (Assaultive Offenses), Penal Code (assaultive offenses), committed by the person’s caretaker, family member, or other individual who has an ongoing relationship with the person.

(3)

“Exploitation” means the illegal or improper act or process of a caretaker, family member, or other individual who has an ongoing relationship with an elderly person or person with a disability that involves using, or attempting to use, the resources of the elderly person or person with a disability, including the person’s social security number or other identifying information, for monetary or personal benefit, profit, or gain without the informed consent of the person.

(4)

“Neglect” means the failure to provide for one’s self the goods or services, including medical services, which are necessary to avoid physical or emotional harm or pain or the failure of a caretaker to provide such goods or services.

(5)

“Protective services” means the services furnished by the department or by another protective services agency to an elderly person or person with a disability who has been determined to be in a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation or to a relative or caretaker of an elderly person or person with a disability if the department determines the services are necessary to prevent the elderly person or person with a disability from returning to a state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation. These services may include social casework, case management, and arranging for psychiatric and health evaluation, home care, day care, social services, health care, respite services, and other services consistent with this chapter. The term does not include the services of the department or another protective services agency in conducting an investigation regarding alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability.

(6)

“Protective services agency” means a public or private agency, corporation, board, or organization that provides protective services to elderly persons or persons with disabilities in the state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

(7)

Repealed by Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1, Sec. 4.465(a)(55), eff. April 2, 2015.

(8)

“Person with a disability” means a person with a mental, physical, or intellectual or developmental disability that substantially impairs the person’s ability to provide adequately for the person’s care or protection and who is:

(A)

18 years of age or older; or

(B)

under 18 years of age and who has had the disabilities of minority removed.

(9)

“Legal holiday” means a state holiday listed in Subchapter B (Dates of Holidays), Chapter 662 (Holidays and Recognition Days, Weeks, and Months), Government Code, or an officially declared county holiday.

(10)

“Volunteer” means a person who:

(A)

performs services for or on behalf of the department under the supervision of a department employee; and

(B)

does not receive compensation that exceeds the authorized expenses the person incurs in performing those services.

(11)

“Home and community-based services” has the meaning assigned by Section 48.251 (Definitions).

(b)

The definitions of “abuse,” “neglect,” “exploitation,” and “an individual receiving services” adopted by the executive commissioner as prescribed by Section 48.251 (Definitions)(b) apply to an investigation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation conducted under Subchapter F.

(c)

Except as provided by Subsection (b), the executive commissioner by rule may adopt definitions of “abuse,” “neglect,” and “exploitation,” as an alternative to the definitions of those terms under Subsection (a), for purposes of conducting an investigation under this chapter or Chapter 142 (Home and Community Support Services), Health and Safety Code.
Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2368, ch. 584, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 274, ch. 51, Sec. 1, eff. Aug. 29, 1983; Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 730, ch. 172, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 264, Sec. 16, eff. Aug. 26, 1985; Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 568, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987; Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 213, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 76, Sec. 5.95(15), 8.041, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 303, Sec. 3, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1022, Sec. 51, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1056 (S.B. 221), Sec. 5, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1056 (S.B. 221), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2011.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.255, eff. April 2, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.256, eff. April 2, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.465(a)(55), eff. April 2, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 860 (S.B. 1880), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 860 (S.B. 1880), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1272 (S.B. 760), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2015.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1272 (S.B. 760), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2015.

Source: Section 48.002 — Definitions, https://statutes.­capitol.­texas.­gov/Docs/HR/htm/HR.­48.­htm#48.­002 (accessed Jun. 5, 2024).

48.001
Purpose
48.002
Definitions
48.003
Investigations in Nursing Facilities, Assisted Living Facilities, and Similar Facilities
48.004
Risk Assessment
48.005
Maintenance of Records
48.006
Community Satisfaction Survey
48.007
Memorandum of Understanding Regarding Certain Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation Investigations
48.0021
Reference to Commission or Executive Commissioner
48.051
Report
48.052
Failure to Report
48.053
False Report
48.054
Immunity
48.101
Confidentiality and Disclosure of Information
48.102
Reports of Investigations in Schools
48.103
Notification of Licensing or Contracting Agency
48.151
Action on Report
48.152
Investigation
48.153
Access to Investigation
48.154
Access to Records or Documents
48.155
Interference with Investigation or Services Prohibited
48.156
Agency Reports
48.159
Internal Review of Department Investigation
48.201
Application of Subchapter
48.202
Service Determination by Department or Agency
48.203
Voluntary Protective Services
48.204
Agency Powers
48.205
Provision of Services
48.206
Cost of Services
48.207
Objection to Medical Treatment
48.208
Emergency Order for Protective Services
48.209
Referral for Guardianship Services
48.210
Representation
48.211
Report to Guardianship Court
48.251
Definitions
48.252
Investigation of Reports of Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation by Provider
48.253
Action on Report
48.254
Forwarding of Certain Reports
48.255
Rules for Investigations Under This Subchapter
48.256
Sharing Provider Information
48.257
Retaliation Prohibited
48.258
Tracking System for Reports and Investigations
48.301
Investigation of Reports in Other State Facilities
48.302
Approval of Rules
48.303
Memorandum of Understanding
48.304
Statistics
48.401
Definitions
48.402
Rules Relating to Reportable Conduct
48.403
Finding
48.404
Notice of Finding
48.405
Hearing
48.406
Notice
48.407
Informal Proceedings
48.408
Information for the Employee Misconduct Registry
48.1521
Investigation of Complex Cases
48.1522
Reports of Criminal Conduct to Law Enforcement Agency
48.1523
Management Review Following Certain Investigations
48.2535
Forwarding Certain Reports of Criminal Conduct to Law Enforcement

Accessed:
Jun. 5, 2024

§ 48.002’s source at texas​.gov