By Wise H.B. No. 159
76R264 KLA-D
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
1-1 AN ACT
1-2 relating to the reporting of child abuse.
1-3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
1-4 SECTION 1. Section 261.101, Family Code, is amended by
1-5 amending Subsection (a) and adding Subsection (e) to read as
1-6 follows:
1-7 (a) Any adult who has [A person having] cause to believe
1-8 that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been
1-9 adversely affected by abuse or neglect by any person shall
1-10 immediately make a report as provided by this subchapter. In this
1-11 subsection, the term "adult" means an individual who is at least 18
1-12 years of age. The term is not limited to a teacher, nurse, medical
1-13 practitioner, day-care employee, juvenile probation officer,
1-14 juvenile detention or correctional officer, member of the clergy,
1-15 mental health professional, attorney, or social worker.
1-16 (e) The department shall develop and implement an
1-17 advertising campaign to increase public awareness of the reporting
1-18 requirement provided by this subchapter.
1-19 SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 1999.
1-20 SECTION 3. The importance of this legislation and the
1-21 crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an
1-22 emergency and an imperative public necessity that the
1-23 constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several
1-24 days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended.