Bill Text: TX HB4476 | 2019-2020 | 86th Legislature | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating to civil liability for abuse or exploitation of an elderly person or person with a disability.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2019-05-09 - Placed on General State Calendar [HB4476 Detail]
Download: Texas-2019-HB4476-Introduced.html
86R15629 LED-D | ||
By: Davis of Dallas | H.B. No. 4476 |
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relating to civil liability for abuse or exploitation of an elderly | ||
person or person with a disability. | ||
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: | ||
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 48, Human Resources Code, | ||
is amended by adding Section 48.1524 to read as follows: | ||
Sec. 48.1524. CIVIL LIABILITY. (a) A person is liable to | ||
an elderly person or person with a disability for damages for abuse | ||
or exploitation. | ||
(b) A claimant who prevails in a suit under this section may | ||
recover actual damages, including damages for mental anguish even | ||
if an injury other than mental anguish is not shown. | ||
(c) In addition to an award under Subsection (a), a claimant | ||
who prevails in a suit under this section may recover exemplary | ||
damages and reasonable attorney fees. | ||
SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only | ||
to a cause of action that accrues on or after the effective date of | ||
this Act. A cause of action that accrues before the effective date | ||
of this Act is governed by the law in effect immediately before that | ||
date, and that law is continued in effect for that purpose. | ||
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019. |