(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.

Terms Used In Texas Human Resources Code 48.054

  • Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

(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.