If an employee of the department commits an assault on an inmate housed in a facility operated by or under contract with the department, the executive director shall refer the matter to an appropriate law enforcement official. If an employee is charged with an assault described by this section, an inmate or person who was an inmate at the time of the alleged offense may testify in a prosecution of the offense.

Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 212, Sec. 2.01, eff. Sept. 1989. Renumbered from Sec. 500.002 and amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 16, Sec. 10.01(a), eff. Aug. 26, 1991.

Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 321, Sec. 1.070, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1022 (S.B. 2405), Sec. 49, eff. September 1, 2025.