(a) Reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
  (1) Each employee/agent/contractor who suspects or has knowledge that a person served is being abused, neglected, or exploited shall make a verbal report to TDPRS immediately, if possible, but in no case more than one hour after suspicion or after learning of the incident, by calling 1-800-647-7418.
  (2) Each employee/agent/contractor who suspects or has knowledge that a person served has been abused, neglected, or exploited, including prior to admission, during an absence, or while in residence at the facility, shall make a verbal report to TDPRS immediately, if possible, but in no case more than one hour after suspicion or after learning of the incident, by calling 1-800-647-7418.
  (3) If the person making the allegation is not an employee/agent/contractor (e.g., a person served, a guest), staff shall assist the person in making the report, if necessary.
(b) Any pregnancy of a person served, provided there is medical verification that there is reasonable expectation that conception could have occurred while the person was a resident of the facility or contractor, or any diagnosis of a sexually transmitted disease in a person served which could have occurred while the person was a resident of the facility or contractor, shall be reported in accordance with this subchapter as possible abuse or neglect.
(c) If an aggressive action by a person served, including non-consensual sexual activity between persons served, occurs as a result of possible neglect, then the action is reported as neglect in accordance with this subchapter.
(d) Failure to make reports as required by this section within the allotted time period without sufficient justification is considered a violation of this section and makes the employee/agent subject to disciplinary action and possible criminal prosecution. An employee/agent found to have made a false statement of fact during an investigation is also subject to disciplinary action.
(e) In addition to reporting to TDPRS, employees shall take appropriate steps to secure evidence related to an allegation, if any, consistent with "Guidelines for Securing Evidence," referenced as Exhibit B in §417.516 of this title (relating to Exhibits).

Source Note: The provisions of this §417.505 adopted to be effective April 23, 2003, 28 TexReg 3354