Sec. 242.903. DUTIES OF INSTITUTION. (a) An institution shall consider the views and recommendations of the family council and make a reasonable effort to resolve the council's grievances.
(b) An institution may not:
(1) prohibit the formation of a family council;
(2) terminate an existing family council;
(3) deny a family council the opportunity to accept help from an outside person;
(4) limit the rights of a resident, family member, or family council member to meet with an outside person, including:
(A) an employee of the institution during nonworking hours if the employee agrees; and
(B) a member of a nonprofit or government organization;
(5) prevent or interfere with the family council receiving outside correspondence addressed to the council;
(6) open family council mail; or
(7) wilfully interfere with the formation, maintenance, or operation of a family council, including interfering by:
(A) discriminating or retaliating against a family council participant; and
(B) wilfully scheduling events in conflict with previously scheduled family council meetings if the institution has other scheduling options.
(c) On admission of a resident, an institution shall inform the resident's family members in writing of:
(1) the family members' right to form a family council; or
(2) if a family council already exists, the council's:
(A) meeting time, date, and location; and
(B) contact person.
(d) An institution shall:
(1) include notice of a family council in a mailing that occurs at least semiannually;
(2) permit a representative of a family council to discuss concerns with an individual conducting an inspection or survey of the facility;
(3) provide a family council with adequate space on a prominent bulletin board to post notices and other information;
(4) provide a designated staff person to act as liaison for a family council; and
(5) respond in writing to a written request by a family council within five working days.
Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch. 798 (S.B. 131), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2008.
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