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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to certain investigations of reports of child abuse or |
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neglect and procedures for foster homes after a report of abuse or |
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neglect. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 42, Human Resources Code, |
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is amended by adding Section 42.0531 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 42.0531. PROCEDURES AFTER FINDING OF UNABLE TO |
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DETERMINE ABUSE OR NEGLECT. (a) If, after investigating a report |
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of abuse or neglect in a foster home, a foster group home, an agency |
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foster home, or an agency foster group home, the department is |
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unable to determine whether the alleged abuse or neglect occurred, |
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the department shall require the home to submit a corrective action |
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plan to identify and prevent future abuse or neglect. |
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(b) If, before the first anniversary of the date a foster |
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home, a foster group home, an agency foster home, or an agency |
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foster group home submits a corrective action plan under Subsection |
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(a), another incident of abuse or neglect in the home is reported |
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and the department is unable to determine whether the alleged abuse |
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or neglect occurred, the home must go through the verification |
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process again before a child may be placed in the home. |
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SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code, is |
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amended by adding Section 261.317 to read as follows: |
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Sec. 261.317. LAW ENFORCEMENT INVESTIGATION FOLLOWING |
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DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATION. If, after investigating a report of |
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abuse or neglect, the department is unable to determine whether the |
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alleged abuse or neglect occurred, the department shall notify the |
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local law enforcement agency of its findings and the local law |
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enforcement agency shall conduct its own investigation of the |
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report of abuse or neglect. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015. |