This section gives immunity from civil or criminal liability for certain people who report, testify, or participate in related investigations, unless bad faith or malicious purpose is shown.
Sec. 48.054. IMMUNITY. (a) A person filing a report under this chapter or testifying or otherwise participating in any judicial proceeding arising from a petition, report, or investigation is immune from civil or criminal liability on account of his or her petition, report, testimony, or participation, unless the person acted in bad faith or with a malicious purpose. (b) A person, including an authorized department volunteer, medical personnel, or law enforcement officer, who at the request of the department participates in an investigation required by this chapter or in an action that results from that investigation is immune from civil or criminal liability for any act or omission relating to that participation if the person acted in good faith and, if applicable, in the course and scope of the person's assigned responsibilities or duties. (c) A person who reports the person's own abuse, neglect, or exploitation of another person or who acts in bad faith or with malicious purpose in reporting alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation is not immune from civil or criminal liability. (d) An employer whose employee acts under Subsection (a) or (b) is immune from civil or criminal liability on account of an employee's report, testimony, or participation in any judicial proceedings arising from a petition, report, or investigation. This subsection does not apply to an employer who is the subject of an investigation. Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2368, ch. 584, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 730, ch. 172, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983; Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 303, Sec. 10, eff. Sept. 1, 1995; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 205, Sec. 2, eff. May 21, 2001. SUBCHAPTER C. CONFIDENTIALITY