87R4808 MLH-F
 
  By: Minjarez H.B. No. 1009
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to reporting the serious bodily injury of a child;
  providing a criminal penalty.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 261.101, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  A person shall immediately make a report as provided
  by this subchapter if the person knows that:
               (1)  a child suffered a serious bodily injury, as
  defined by Section 1.07, Penal Code; and
               (2)  the serious bodily injury was caused by abuse or
  neglect.
         SECTION 2.  Section 261.109, Family Code, is amended by
  adding Subsections (a-2) and (b-1) to read as follows:
         (a-2)  A person commits an offense if the person is required
  to make a report under Section 261.101(a-1) and knowingly fails to
  make a report as provided in this chapter.
         (b-1)  An offense under Subsection (a-2) is a state jail
  felony unless it is shown on the trial of the offense that the child
  was younger than seven years of age and died as a result of the
  serious bodily injury, in which event the offense is a third degree
  felony.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.