CJ H.B. 3345 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS




JUVENILE JUSTICE & FSMILY ISSUES
HB 3345
By: Smith
4-10-97
Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND

The Family Code mandates that the Department of Protective and Regulatory
Services investigate reports of child abuse and neglect allegedly
committed by a child's custodian or caretaker. However, clarification is
needed when a report of abuse or neglect is made during the pendency of a
suit affecting the parent-child relationship. 

PURPOSE

This bill, in effect, requires the department to investigate a report of
child abuse or neglect without regard to the existence of a suit affecting
the parent-child relationship. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any
additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or
institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Amends Section 261.301, Family Code, as follows:

(a) Adds "The investigation shall be conducted without regard to any
pending suit affecting the parent-child relationship." 

SECTION 2. Effective date.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.  



CJ H.B. 3345 75(R)