S.B. No. 669




AN ACT

relating to the investigation of certain reports of child abuse or 
neglect. 
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 261.301, Family Code, is amended by 
amending Subsection (f) and adding Subsection (h) to read as 
follows:
	(f)  An investigation of a report to the department that is 
assigned the highest priority in accordance with department rules 
adopted under Subsection (d) and that alleges an immediate risk of 
[serious] physical or sexual abuse of a child that could result in 
the death of or serious harm to the child shall be conducted jointly 
by a peace officer, as defined by Article 2.12, Code of Criminal 
Procedure, [an investigator] from the appropriate local law 
enforcement agency and the department or the agency responsible for 
conducting an investigation under Subchapter E.
	(h)  The department and the appropriate local law 
enforcement agency shall conduct an investigation, other than an 
investigation under Subchapter E, as provided by this section and 
Article 2.27, Code of Criminal Procedure, if the investigation is 
of a report of child abuse or neglect that is assigned the highest 
priority in accordance with department rules adopted under 
Subsection (d) and that alleges an immediate risk of physical or 
sexual abuse of a child that could result in the death of or serious 
harm to the child.  Immediately on receipt of a report described by 
this subsection, the department shall notify the appropriate local 
law enforcement agency of the report.
	SECTION 2.  Article 2.27, Code of Criminal Procedure, is 
amended to read as follows:
	Art. 2.27.  INVESTIGATION OF CERTAIN REPORTS ALLEGING CHILD 
ABUSE.  On receipt of a report that is assigned the highest priority 
in accordance with rules adopted by the Department of Protective 
and Regulatory Services under Section 261.301(d), Family Code, and 
that alleges an immediate risk of [alleging serious] physical or 
sexual abuse of a child that could result in the death of or serious 
harm to the child by a person responsible for the care, custody, or 
welfare of the child, a peace officer [an investigator] from the 
appropriate local law enforcement agency shall investigate the 
report jointly with the department [Department of Protective and 
Regulatory Services] or with the agency responsible for conducting 
an investigation under Subchapter E, Chapter 261, Family Code.  As 
soon as possible after being notified by the department of the 
report, but not later than 24 hours after being notified, the peace 
officer shall accompany the department investigator in initially 
responding to the report.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003, and 
applies only to the investigation of a report of child abuse or 
neglect made on or after that date.  The investigation of a report 
of child abuse or neglect made before the effective date of this Act 
is governed by the law in effect on the date the report was made, and 
the former law is continued in effect for that purpose.





______________________________    ______________________________
President of the Senate             Speaker of the House
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 669 passed the Senate on 
April 25, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0; and that 
the Senate concurred in House amendment on May 29, 2003, by a 
viva-voce vote.




______________________________ 
   Secretary of the Senate             
	I hereby certify that S.B. No. 669 passed the House, with 
amendment, on May 25, 2003, by the following vote:  Yeas 117, 
Nays 0, two present not voting.




______________________________ 
   Chief Clerk of the House            



Approved:


______________________________ 
            Date



______________________________ 
          Governor