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Texas Health and Safety Code

§ 161.134 — RETALIATION AGAINST EMPLOYEES PROHIBITED

HS § 161.134Title 2. HEALTH · Part H. PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS · Ch. 161. PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS · Art. L. ABUSE, NEGLECT, AND UNPROFESSIONAL OR UNETHICAL CONDUCT IN HEALTH CARE FACILITIES

Statute text

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(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;

Legislative history

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 3.0476, eff. April 2, 2015.

Source: Texas Health and Safety Code § 161.134 from the Texas Constitution and Statutes (Texas Legislature) (public record). DecisionDepot is for informational use only and is not legal advice — verify against the official source before relying on this text.