Texas Statutes
Subchapter D. Complaint Procedures and Hearings
Section 161.157. Retaliation Against County Employee Reporting Violation of Ethics Code Prohibited

Sec. 161.157. RETALIATION AGAINST COUNTY EMPLOYEE REPORTING VIOLATION OF ETHICS CODE PROHIBITED. (a) A county public servant may not suspend or terminate the employment of or take other adverse action against a county employee who in good faith files a complaint or otherwise reports to the commission, commission staff, or another law enforcement authority a violation of the ethics code by a person subject to the ethics code.
(b) A county public servant may not suspend or terminate the employment of or take other adverse action against a county employee who in good faith participates in the complaint processing, preliminary review, hearing, or any other aspect of the investigation and resolution by the commission of an alleged violation of the ethics code by a person subject to the ethics code.
(c) A commission created by a county under this chapter is a part of the "local governmental entity" for purposes of Section 554.002, Government Code.
(d) An ethics code adopted by a commission pursuant to this chapter is a "law" as defined by Section 554.001, Government Code.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 799 (S.B. 1368), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Amended by:
Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 160 (H.B. 2002), Sec. 7, eff. September 1, 2011.

Structure Texas Statutes

Texas Statutes

Local Government Code

Title 5 - Matters Affecting Public Officers and Employees

Subtitle B - County Officers and Employees

Chapter 161 - County Ethics Commission in Certain Counties

Subchapter D. Complaint Procedures and Hearings

Section 161.151. Definitions

Section 161.152. Complaint Procedures and Hearings

Section 161.153. Hearings and Settlement

Section 161.154. Categorization of Violations

Section 161.155. Filing of Complaint; Contents

Section 161.1551. Standing Preliminary Review Committee

Section 161.156. Processing of Complaint

Section 161.157. Retaliation Against County Employee Reporting Violation of Ethics Code Prohibited

Section 161.158. Preliminary Review: Initiation

Section 161.159. Preliminary Review: Response by Respondent

Section 161.160. Preliminary Review: Written Questions

Section 161.161. Preliminary Review and Preliminary Review Procedures

Section 161.162. Preliminary Review Hearing: Procedure

Section 161.163. Preliminary Review Hearing: Resolution

Section 161.164. Formal Hearing: Standard of Evidence

Section 161.165. Formal Hearing: Subpoenas and Witnesses

Section 161.166. Formal Hearing: Procedure

Section 161.167. Formal Hearing: Resolution

Section 161.168. Status of Complaint

Section 161.169. Extension of Deadline

Section 161.170. Subpoena

Section 161.171. Status of Complainant

Section 161.172. Applicability of Other Acts

Section 161.173. Confidentiality; Offense

Section 161.174. Availability of Commission Orders on Internet