Bill Text: TX HB4304 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced


Bill Title: Relating to the contents of the annual child fatality report published by the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-21 - Referred to Human Services [HB4304 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB4304-Introduced.html
  88R13469 AMF-D
 
  By: Gates H.B. No. 4304
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the contents of the annual child fatality report
  published by the Department of Family and Protective Services.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 261.204(b), Family Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (b)  The report published under Subsection (a) must:
               (1)  accurately represent all abuse-related and
  neglect-related child fatalities in this state, including child
  fatalities investigated under Subchapter F, Chapter 264, and other
  child fatalities investigated by the department; [and]
               (2)  aggregate the fatalities by investigative
  findings and case disposition, including the following
  dispositions:
                     (A)  abuse and neglect ruled out;
                     (B)  unable to determine cause of death;
                     (C)  reason to believe abuse or neglect occurred;
                     (D)  reason to believe abuse or neglect
  contributed to child's death;
                     (E)  unable to complete review; and
                     (F)  administrative closure; and
               (3)  aggregate the fatalities by cause of death, if
  determinable, including:
                     (A)  accidental drowning or submersion;
                     (B)  assault by drowning or submersion; 
                     (C)  discharge of a firearm; 
                     (D)  drug overdose; 
                     (E)  assault by other physical means, including
  strangulation or suffocation;
                     (F)  accidental suffocation; 
                     (G)  exposure to smoke, fire, or flames; 
                     (H)  malnutrition; 
                     (I)  deprivation of medical care;
                     (J)  motor vehicle accident;
                     (K)  heatstroke caused by being left in a motor
  vehicle; or 
                     (L)  sudden infant death syndrome.
         SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
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