Sec. 161.162.  PRELIMINARY REVIEW HEARING:  PROCEDURE.  (a)  The standing preliminary review committee shall conduct a preliminary review hearing if:
(1)  following the preliminary review, the standing preliminary review committee and the respondent cannot agree to the disposition of the complaint; or
(2)  the respondent in writing requests a hearing.
(b)  The standing preliminary review committee shall provide written notice to the complainant and the respondent of the date, time, and place the committee will conduct the preliminary review hearing.
(c)  At or after the time the standing preliminary review committee provides notice of a preliminary review hearing, the committee may submit to the complainant and the respondent written questions and require those questions to be answered under oath within a reasonable time.  After receiving answers to any questions submitted to the complainant under this subsection and before the preliminary review hearing, the committee shall provide the respondent both the questions and the answers to the questions submitted by the complainant.  This subsection may not be construed to require a person to give evidence that violates the person's right against self-incrimination under the United States Constitution or the Texas Constitution.
(d)  On the request of the respondent, the standing preliminary review committee shall request that any information in the possession or control of the complainant, including exculpatory information, that is directly related to the complaint be provided the respondent and the committee.
(e)  During a preliminary review hearing, the standing preliminary review committee:
(1)  may consider all submitted evidence related to the complaint;
(2)  may review any documents or material related to the complaint; and
(3)  shall determine whether there is credible evidence that provides cause for the committee to conclude that a violation within the jurisdiction of the commission has occurred.
(f)  During a preliminary review hearing, the respondent may appear before the standing preliminary review committee with the assistance of counsel, if desired by the respondent, and present any relevant evidence, including a written statement.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 799 (S.B. 1368), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.