Tex. Health and Safety Code § 253.001

In this chapter:

(1) "Commission" means the Health and Human Services Commission.

(1-a) "Consumer" means a resident of or an individual receiving services from a facility covered by this chapter.

(1-b) "Consumer-directed service option" has the meaning assigned by Section 546.0101, Government Code.

(2) "Department" means the Department of Aging and Disability Services.

(3) "Employee" means a person who:

(A) works at a facility or for an individual employer;

(B) is an individual who provides personal care services, active treatment, or any other personal services to a consumer or to an individual using the consumer-directed service option; and

(C) is not licensed by an agency of the state to perform the services the employee performs for the individual using the consumer-directed service option or at the facility or is a nurse aide employed by a facility.

(3-a) "Executive commissioner" means the executive commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission.

(4) "Facility" means:

(A) a nursing facility licensed by the commission under Chapter 242;

(B) an intermediate care facility for individuals with an intellectual disability licensed by the commission under Chapter 252;

(C) an adult foster care provider that contracts with the commission;

(D) a home and community support services agency licensed by the commission under Chapter 142;

(E) a prescribed pediatric extended care center licensed by the commission under Chapter 248A;

(F) an assisted living facility licensed by the commission under Chapter 247;

(F-1) a facility licensed under Chapter 555;

(F-2) a facility licensed under Chapter 577;

(G) a day activity and health services facility licensed by the commission under Chapter 103, Human Resources Code;

(H) a residential child-care facility as defined by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code, at which an elderly person or an adult with a disability resides or is in the facility's care;

(I) a provider who provides home and community-based services under the home and community-based services (HCS) waiver program or the Texas home living (TxHmL) waiver program; or

(J) a facility that is exempt from licensure under Section 252.003.

(4-a) "Financial management services agency" means an entity that contracts with the department to serve as a fiscal and employer agent for an individual employer using the consumer-directed service option.

(4-b) "Individual employer" means an individual or legally authorized representative who participates in the consumer-directed service option and is responsible for hiring providers to deliver program services.

(5) "Reportable conduct" includes:

(A) abuse or neglect that causes or may cause death or harm to an individual using the consumer-directed service option or a consumer;

(B) sexual abuse of an individual using the consumer-directed service option or a consumer;

(C) financial exploitation of an individual using the consumer-directed service option or a consumer in an amount of $25 or more; and

(D) emotional, verbal, or psychological abuse that causes harm to an individual using the consumer-directed service option or a consumer.