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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study of child abuse or neglect committed by a foster |
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child against another foster child. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 261.313 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 261.313. ABUSE OR NEGLECT BY FOSTER CHILD. (a) The |
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department shall review investigations of child abuse or neglect in |
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which the department has determined abuse or neglect was committed |
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by a child in foster care against another child in foster care. |
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Based on the information from the review, the department shall |
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analyze the factors that contribute to abuse or neglect described |
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by this subsection and make recommendations regarding: |
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(1) methods of identifying a child in foster care who |
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is at risk of abuse or neglect from another child in foster care; |
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(2) services necessary to prevent abuse or neglect |
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between one or more children in foster care; |
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(3) whether a report of abuse or neglect committed by a |
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child in foster care should be included in the central registry of |
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abuse or neglect; and |
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(4) for cases in which the abuse or neglect results in |
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a criminal charge against a foster child, whether the child's |
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record should be expunged after a certain period has elapsed with no |
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further acts of abuse or neglect committed by the child. |
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(b) Not later than December 31, 2012, the department shall |
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report the results of the review and analysis and make |
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recommendations under this section to the governor, the lieutenant |
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governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the |
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standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over the |
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department. |
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(c) This section expires January 1, 2014. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |