By: Roberts H.B. No. 871
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the provision of child and family services by the
Department of Family and Protective Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 264, Family Code, is
amended by adding Sections 264.2042 and 264.2043 to read as
follows:
Sec. 264.2042. NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS PROVIDING CHILD AND
FAMILY SERVICES. The department shall cooperate with nonprofit
organizations, including faith-based organizations, in providing
to families in crisis:
(1) child and family services, including respite care,
voluntary guardianship, and other support services; and
(2) information on child and family services available
in the child's community.
Sec. 264.2043. PROHIBITION ON ABUSE OR NEGLECT
INVESTIGATION BASED SOLELY ON REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. The
department may not initiate an investigation of child abuse or
neglect based solely on a request submitted to the department by a
child's parent for information relating to child and family
services available to families in crisis.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.