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.