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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to a study by the Department of Family and Protective |
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Services regarding establishing a system to identify children born |
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to certain parents. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter B, Chapter 40, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 40.0327 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 40.0327. STUDY TO IDENTIFY BIRTHS TO CERTAIN PARENTS. |
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(a) The department shall study the feasibility of developing and |
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implementing a system that would: |
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(1) cross-reference new birth registrations filed |
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with the Bureau of Vital Statistics with the registry of reported |
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cases of child abuse and neglect and other department records to |
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determine whether a child is born to a parent: |
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(A) whose parental rights have been terminated; |
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or |
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(B) who has been convicted of child abuse or |
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neglect that resulted in another child's death; and |
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(2) open a case for a child described by Subdivision |
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(1) to allow the department to: |
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(A) assess the home and living situation of the |
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child; and |
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(B) provide support services to the child and the |
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child's parent. |
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(b) Not later than December 1, 2012, the department shall |
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report its findings and any recommendations for implementing the |
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system to the legislature. |
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(c) This section expires September 1, 2013. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2011. |