2017S0007-1 11/03/16
By: Uresti S.B. No. 190
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the effective management of caseloads in the
investigation of child abuse or neglect reports by the Department
of Family and Protective Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 261.3015, Family Code, is amended by
adding Subsections (c-1), (c-2), and (c-3) to read as follows:
(c-1) The executive commissioner shall by rule establish,
and the department shall implement, a formal review process under
which any reported case that remains open 60 days following a report
of abuse or neglect must be reviewed by a department supervisor for
administrative closure under Subsection (c). A reported case
described by this subsection qualifies for administrative closure
if:
(1) there is no prior report of abuse or neglect of the
child who is the subject of the report;
(2) no additional report of abuse or neglect of the
child has been received following the original report; and
(3) after contacting a professional or other credible
source, the supervisor determines that the child's safety can be
assured without further investigation, response, services, or
assistance.
(c-2) A reported case that is reviewed under Subsection
(c-1) and does not qualify for administrative closure may be
reassigned to a different department caseworker if reassignment
would allow the department to make the most effective use of
resources to investigate and respond to reported cases of abuse or
neglect.
(c-3) The department shall develop a training program for
department supervisors and department caseworkers who investigate
reports of abuse or neglect. The training program must include
information on:
(1) effective utilization of the alternative response
system; and
(2) the process of, and requirements for,
administrative closure.
SECTION 2. Not later than December 1, 2017, the executive
commissioner of the Health and Human Services Commission shall
adopt the rules necessary to implement Section 261.3015, Family
Code, as amended by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.