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.