SRC-JEC H.B. 1267 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1267
77R3780 KLA-DBy: Dukes (Carona)
Health & Human Services
5/11/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

The Family Code requires a local law enforcement agency, on receipt of a
report alleging child abuse by a person responsible for the child's care,
to investigate the report jointly with the Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services (DPRS) or another responsible agency. However, this
provision is not in the Code of Criminal Procedure, which many law
enforcement agencies rely upon for guidance. H.B. 1267 amends the Code of
Criminal Procedure to require an investigator from an appropriate local law
enforcement agency, on receipt of a report alleging child abuse, to
investigate the report jointly with the DPRS or another responsible agency.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency.  

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, by adding Article
2.27, as follows: 

Art. 2.27.  INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN REPORTS ALLEGING CHILD ABUSE. Requires
an investigator from the appropriate local law enforcement agency, on
receipt of a report alleging serious physical or sexual abuse of a child by
a person responsible for the care, custody, or welfare of the child, to
investigate the report jointly with the Department of Protective and
Regulatory Services or with the agency responsible for conducting an
investigation under Chapter 261E, Family Code. 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2001.