By Dukes                                              H.B. No. 1267
         77R3780 KLA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to the investigation by a local law enforcement agency of
 1-3     certain reports alleging child abuse.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 2, Code of Criminal Procedure, is amended
 1-6     by adding Article 2.27 to read as follows:
 1-7           Art. 2.27.  INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN REPORTS ALLEGING CHILD
 1-8     ABUSE. On receipt of a report alleging serious physical or sexual
 1-9     abuse of a child by a person responsible for the care, custody, or
1-10     welfare of the child, an investigator from the appropriate local
1-11     law enforcement agency shall investigate the report jointly with
1-12     the Department of Protective and Regulatory Services or with the
1-13     agency responsible for conducting an investigation under Subchapter
1-14     E, Chapter 261, Family Code.
1-15           SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
1-16     a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
1-17     provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this
1-18     Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
1-19     Act takes effect September 1, 2001.