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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to the contents of the annual child fatality report |
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published by the Department of Family and Protective Services. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 261.204(b), Family Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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(b) The report published under Subsection (a) must: |
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(1) accurately represent all abuse-related and |
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neglect-related child fatalities in this state, including child |
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fatalities investigated under Subchapter F, Chapter 264, and other |
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child fatalities investigated by the department; [and] |
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(2) aggregate the fatalities by investigative |
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findings and case disposition, including the following |
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dispositions: |
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(A) abuse and neglect ruled out; |
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(B) unable to determine cause of death; |
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(C) reason to believe abuse or neglect occurred; |
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(D) reason to believe abuse or neglect |
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contributed to child's death; |
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(E) unable to complete review; and |
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(F) administrative closure; and |
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(3) aggregate the fatalities by cause of death, if |
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determinable, including: |
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(A) accidental drowning or submersion; |
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(B) assault by drowning or submersion; |
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(C) discharge of a firearm; |
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(D) drug overdose; |
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(E) assault by other physical means, including |
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strangulation or suffocation; |
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(F) accidental suffocation; |
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(G) exposure to smoke, fire, or flames; |
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(H) malnutrition; |
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(I) deprivation of medical care; |
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(J) motor vehicle accident; |
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(K) heatstroke caused by being left in a motor |
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vehicle; or |
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(L) sudden infant death syndrome. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023. |