87(R) HB 135 - Enrolled version - Bill Text
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AN ACT
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relating to notifying an alleged perpetrator of child abuse or |
 
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neglect of certain rights in an investigation by the Department of |
 
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Family and Protective Services. |
 
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             BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
 
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             SECTION  1.    Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 261.3027 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  261.3027.    NOTICE OF RIGHT TO RECORD INTERVIEW. (a) |
 
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Before conducting an interview with an alleged perpetrator, the |
 
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department shall inform the person orally and in writing that: |
 
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                         (1)    the person may create an audio or video recording |
 
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of the interview but may not record the interview in any other |
 
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manner; |
 
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                         (2)    any audio or video recording made by the person may |
 
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be subject to subpoena under a court order; and |
 
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                         (3)    the person may request and receive a copy of the |
 
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department's current recording policy. |
 
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             (b)    The department shall document in the case file that the |
 
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department provided the notice required by Subsection (a). |
 
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             (c)    The department shall provide two copies of the written |
 
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notice to be signed by the person. The department shall provide one |
 
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signed notice to the person and retain the other signed notice in |
 
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the case file. |
 
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             (d)    An audio or video recording of the department's |
 
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interview with an alleged perpetrator may not be posted on an |
 
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Internet website in a manner that could identify a party involved in |
 
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the interview. |
 
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             SECTION  2.    Subchapter D, Chapter 261, Family Code, is |
 
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amended by adding Section 261.3091 to read as follows: |
 
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             Sec.  261.3091.    NOTICE OF RIGHT TO REQUEST ADMINISTRATIVE |
 
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REVIEW. (a) Before conducting an interview with an alleged |
 
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perpetrator, the department shall notify the person in writing that |
 
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the person may request an administrative review of the department's |
 
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findings under Section 261.309. The person shall sign the written |
 
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notice to acknowledge receipt of the notice. |
 
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             (b)    The department shall document in the case file that the |
 
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department provided the notice required by Subsection (a). |
 
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             SECTION  3.    This Act takes effect September 1, 2021. |
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______________________________ |
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     President of the Senate |
Speaker of the House           |
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             I certify that H.B. No. 135 was passed by the House on April |
 
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9, 2021, by the following vote:    Yeas 144, Nays 0, 2 present, not |
 
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voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B. |
 
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No. 135 on May 28, 2021, by the following vote:    Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 |
 
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present, not voting. |
 
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______________________________ |
 
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Chief Clerk of the House       |
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             I certify that H.B. No. 135 was passed by the Senate, with |
 
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amendments, on May 20, 2021, by the following vote:    Yeas 26, Nays |
 
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5. |
 
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______________________________ |
 
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Secretary of the Senate       |
 
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APPROVED: __________________ |
 
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                               Date               |
 
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                __________________ |
 
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                           Governor               |