SECTION 550.904. Investigations of a Complaint and Grievance

(a) DADS investigates a complaint of non-compliance with THSC Chapter 248A or this chapter regarding:

(1) treatment or care that was furnished at a center;

(2) treatment or care that a center failed to furnish; or

(3) a lack of respect for a minor's property by anyone furnishing services at the center.

(b) A center must adopt and enforce a written policy relating to the center's procedures for prompt investigation of complaints, grievances, and reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

(c) A center must:

(1) acknowledge receipt of a complaint or grievance;

(2) document receipt of a complaint or grievance;

(3) initiate an investigation no later than 10 days after a center receives a complaint or grievance; and

(4) document all components of an investigation.

(d) A center must retain all investigation documentation for a minimum of three years from the date a complaint or grievance was received.

(e) A center must not retaliate against a person for filing a complaint, presenting a grievance, or providing in good faith information relating to services provided by a center.

(1) A center may not retaliate against a minor or a minor's parent for filing a complaint, presenting a grievance, or providing, in good faith, information relating to services provided at the center.

(2) A center is not prohibited from terminating an employee for a reason other than retaliation.

(f) A center must not discharge or otherwise retaliate against a minor or a minor's parent for presenting a complaint or grievance against a center.

Source Note: The provisions of this §550.904 adopted to be effective September 1, 2014, 39 TexReg 6569; transferred effective May 1, 2019, as published in the Texas Register April 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 1875