The bill would require an agency or organization receiving a report of child abuse or neglect to inform the person making the report that the person is required to provide their name and contact information. The bill would allow a professional to make a report to a community-based prevention or family preservation services provider.
According to the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) the changes to section 261.103 in Family Code in bill sections 2, 4, 5, and 8 could potentially violate federal law related to the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act.
The agency uses the professional reporting under section 261.103 related to cases of infants born with and identified as being affected by substance abuse or withdrawal symptoms resulting from prenatal drug exposure or Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder to comply with the federal requirements. Since this bill would allow medical professional to refer these types of cases to other entities besides DFPS, the agency would no longer be able to comply with the federal Act.
It is assumed any costs to DFPS could be absorbed within existing resources.
No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.