(a) In this chapter, when the alleged perpetrator is a direct provider, verbal/emotional abuse is defined as:
  (1) the willful infliction of an act or repeated acts of verbal or other communication, including gestures, to harass, intimidate, humiliate, or degrade an individual receiving services; or
  (2) threats of physical or emotional harm against an individual receiving services.
(b) In order for the definition of verbal/emotional abuse to be met, the act or communication must:
  (1) result in an individual receiving services experiencing:
    (A) significant impairment to his or her physical, mental, or emotional health;
    (B) substantial physical, mental, or emotional distress as identified by an appropriate medical professional; or
  (2) be of such a serious nature that a reasonable person would consider it causing significant impairment to the physical, mental, or emotional health of the victim.

Source Note: The provisions of this §711.17 adopted to be effective May 1, 2001, 26 TexReg 2755; amended to be effective January 1, 2004, 28 TexReg 11345; amended to be effective September 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 6218; amended to be effective March 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 903; transferred effective June 15, 2019, as published in the Texas Register May 24, 2019, 44 TexReg 2617