82R10632 MAW-D
By: Nash H.B. No. 2706
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a study of child abuse or neglect committed by a foster
child against another foster child.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code, is
amended by adding Section 261.313 to read as follows:
Sec. 261.313. ABUSE OR NEGLECT BY FOSTER CHILD. (a) The
department shall review investigations of child abuse or neglect in
which the department has determined abuse or neglect was committed
by a child in foster care against another child in foster care.
Based on the information from the review, the department shall
analyze the factors that contribute to abuse or neglect described
by this subsection and make recommendations regarding:
(1) methods of identifying a child in foster care who
is at risk of abuse or neglect from another child in foster care;
(2) services necessary to prevent abuse or neglect
between one or more children in foster care;
(3) whether a report of abuse or neglect committed by a
child in foster care should be included in the central registry of
abuse or neglect; and
(4) for cases in which the abuse or neglect results in
a criminal charge against a foster child, whether the child's
record should be expunged after a certain period has elapsed with no
further acts of abuse or neglect committed by the child.
(b) Not later than December 31, 2012, the department shall
report the results of the review and analysis and make
recommendations under this section to the governor, the lieutenant
governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the
standing legislative committees with primary jurisdiction over the
department.
(c) This section expires January 1, 2014.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2011.