By:  Ogden                                                        S.B. No. 669


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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) or that alleges [of] serious physical 
or sexual abuse of a 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) or a report that alleges serious physical or sexual 
abuse of a 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, or 
any other report that alleges [alleging] serious physical or sexual 
abuse of a 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.