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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the response time for investigating a report of abuse or |
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neglect of a child. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 261.301(d), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(d) The executive commissioner shall by rule assign |
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priorities and prescribe investigative procedures for |
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investigations based on the severity and immediacy of the alleged |
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harm to the child. The primary purpose of the investigation shall |
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be the protection of the child. The rules must require the |
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department, subject to the availability of funds, to: |
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(1) immediately respond to a report of abuse or [and] |
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neglect that involves circumstances in which the death of the child |
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or substantial bodily harm to the child would result unless the |
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department immediately intervenes; |
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(2) respond within 48 [24] hours to a report of abuse |
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or [and] neglect that is assigned the highest priority, other than a |
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report described by Subdivision (1); and |
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(3) respond within five days [72 hours] to a report of |
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abuse or [and] neglect that is assigned the second highest |
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priority. |
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SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only |
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to a report of the abuse or neglect of a child made on or after the |
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effective date of this Act. A report made before the effective date |
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of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the report |
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was made, and the former law is continued in effect for that |
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purpose. |
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SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017. |