Section 711.17 - How is verbal/emotional abuse defined?(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.26 Tex. Admin. Code § 711.17
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 by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 34, August 19, 2016, TexReg 6220, eff. 9/1/2016; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 43, Number 07, February 16, 2018, TexReg 0905, eff. 3/1/2018; transferred from Tex. Admin. Code § 711.17 by Texas Register, Volume 44, Number 21, May 24, 2019, TexReg 2617, eff. 6/15/2019