88R13469 AMF-D
By: Gates H.B. No. 4304
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the contents of the annual child fatality report
published by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 261.204(b), Family Code, is amended to
read as follows:
(b) The report published under Subsection (a) must:
(1) accurately represent all abuse-related and
neglect-related child fatalities in this state, including child
fatalities investigated under Subchapter F, Chapter 264, and other
child fatalities investigated by the department; [and]
(2) aggregate the fatalities by investigative
findings and case disposition, including the following
dispositions:
(A) abuse and neglect ruled out;
(B) unable to determine cause of death;
(C) reason to believe abuse or neglect occurred;
(D) reason to believe abuse or neglect
contributed to child's death;
(E) unable to complete review; and
(F) administrative closure; and
(3) aggregate the fatalities by cause of death, if
determinable, including:
(A) accidental drowning or submersion;
(B) assault by drowning or submersion;
(C) discharge of a firearm;
(D) drug overdose;
(E) assault by other physical means, including
strangulation or suffocation;
(F) accidental suffocation;
(G) exposure to smoke, fire, or flames;
(H) malnutrition;
(I) deprivation of medical care;
(J) motor vehicle accident;
(K) heatstroke caused by being left in a motor
vehicle; or
(L) sudden infant death syndrome.
SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.