85R1618 YDB-D     By: Wu H.B. No. 694       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the response time for investigating a report of abuse or   neglect of a child.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Section 261.301(d), Family Code, is amended to   read as follows:          (d)  The executive commissioner shall by rule assign   priorities and prescribe investigative procedures for   investigations based on the severity and immediacy of the alleged   harm to the child.  The primary purpose of the investigation shall   be the protection of the child.  The rules must require the   department, subject to the availability of funds, to:                (1)  immediately respond to a report of abuse or [and]   neglect that involves circumstances in which the death of the child   or substantial bodily harm to the child would result unless the   department immediately intervenes;                (2)  respond within 48 [24] hours to a report of abuse   or [and] neglect that is assigned the highest priority, other than a   report described by Subdivision (1); and                (3)  respond within five days [72 hours] to a report of   abuse or [and] neglect that is assigned the second highest   priority.          SECTION 2.  The change in law made by this Act applies only   to a report of the abuse or neglect of a child made on or after the   effective date of this Act. A report made before the effective date   of this Act is governed by the law in effect at the time the report   was made, and the former law is continued in effect for that   purpose.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2017.