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
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 161.152. 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 161.171. Status of Complainant
Section 161.172. Applicability of Other Acts
Section 161.173. Confidentiality; Offense
Section 161.174. Availability of Commission Orders on Internet