House Bill 948: CPS Reform

Author:
Rep. Dutton

Summary:
CPS Reform. Relating to investigations and other procedures with respect to allegations of child abuse and neglect.

The bill includes reforms such as:

• Requires parental consent or court order for medical/psychological/psychiatric examinations of the child.
• Requires the department to audio record all reports of abuse and neglect.
• Requires the department to record and maintain all interviews and documents pertaining to an investigation, including original notes.
• Requires the department to make written reports about a case and make those reports, as well as audio recordings, available to the person under investigation.
• Requires that if the custody of the child is taken away from the parents, the child must go to a person the parents/legal guardian designate on the child placement resources form.
• If the child has been taken away but is still breastfeeding, the mother is allowed frequent visits to continue breastfeeding the child, unless the mother is found by the court not fit for these visits.

Status:

1/30/2009		(House) Filed
2/23/2009		(House) Read first time and referred to Human Services
4/28/2009		(House) Posting rule suspended
4/30/2009		(House) Considered in public hearing, testimony taken, left pending in committee

Bill died when legislature adjourned June 1, 2009.

HSLDA’s Position:
Support.

Action Requested:
None at this time.

Other Resources

E-lert—4/13/2009—Texas: Calls Needed to Support CPS Reform Bill

E-lert—May 5, 2009: Calls Still Needed to Support CPS Reform Bill

Bill Text