The bill, S.B. No. 1526, amends Section 40.060 of the Human Resources Code to provide legal expense reimbursement for certain employees of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). It introduces provisions for indemnification and reimbursement for legal expenses incurred by present or former employees involved in the protection of vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, or persons with disabilities. Specifically, if an employee is criminally prosecuted for actions taken during their employment and is found not guilty or if the charges are dismissed, the department may cover up to $10,000 in reasonable attorney's fees.

Additionally, the bill establishes a new provision that allows current employees seeking protective or restraining orders while performing their job duties to be reimbursed for attorney's fees, capped at $5,000. The DFPS is required to adopt rules to implement this new reimbursement policy as soon as practicable after the bill's effective date, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Human Resources Code 40.060 (Human Resources Code 40)