79R2602 MCK-D


By:  Uresti, Chavez, Branch                                       H.B. No. 801


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training for Department of Family and Protective Services personnel receiving reports of child abuse and neglect. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code, is amended by adding Section 261.3016 to read as follows: Sec. 261.3016. TRAINING OF PERSONNEL RECEIVING REPORTS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT. The department shall develop, in cooperation with local law enforcement officials and the Commission on State Emergency Communications, a training program for department personnel who receive reports of abuse and neglect. The training program must include information on: (1) the proper methods of screening reports of abuse and neglect; and (2) ways to determine the seriousness of a report, including determining whether a report alleges circumstances that could result in the death of or serious harm to a child or whether the report is less serious in nature. SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.