87R9675 MLH-F
 
  By: Dutton H.B. No. 2552
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to certain Department of Family and Protective Services
  procedures during an investigation of child abuse or neglect.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 261.302, Family Code, is amended by
  amending Subsection (e) and adding Subsections (e-2) and (g) to
  read as follows:
         (e)  An interview with a child in which the allegations of
  the current investigation are discussed and that is conducted by
  the department during the investigation stage shall be audiotaped
  or videotaped unless[:
               [(1)  the recording equipment malfunctions and the
  malfunction is not the result of a failure to maintain the equipment
  or bring adequate supplies for the equipment;
               [(2)]  the child is unwilling to allow the interview to
  be recorded after the department makes a reasonable effort
  consistent with the child's age and development and the
  circumstances of the case to convince the child to allow the
  recording[; or
               [(3)  due to circumstances that could not have been
  reasonably foreseen or prevented by the department, the department
  does not have the necessary recording equipment because the
  department employee conducting the interview does not ordinarily
  conduct interviews].
         (e-2)  An interview with a child that is not recorded as
  required by Subsection (e) may not be admitted as evidence in a
  judicial proceeding under this title unless the court finds:
               (1)  the child was unwilling to allow the interview to
  be recorded; and
               (2)  the department made a reasonable effort consistent
  with the child's age and development and the circumstances of the
  case to convince the child to allow the recording.
         (g)  During an investigation, the department may not:
               (1)  require a parent or child to submit to a drug test;
  or
               (2)  threaten or coerce a parent to consent to a drug
  test, including by notifying the parent that the child will be
  removed if the parent fails to consent to a drug test.
         SECTION 2.  Section 261.302(e-2), Family Code, as added by
  this Act, applies only to an interview conducted on or after the
  effective date of this Act.
         SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.