Texas Statutes
Subchapter D. Investigations
Section 261.3017. Consultation With Physician Networks and Systems Regarding Certain Medical Conditions

Sec. 261.3017. CONSULTATION WITH PHYSICIAN NETWORKS AND SYSTEMS REGARDING CERTAIN MEDICAL CONDITIONS. (a) In this section:
(1) "Network" means the Forensic Assessment Center Network.
(2) "System" means the entities that receive grants under the Texas Medical Child Abuse Resources and Education System (MEDCARES) authorized by Chapter 1001, Health and Safety Code.
(b) Any agreement between the department and the network or between the Department of State Health Services and the system to provide assistance in connection with abuse and neglect investigations conducted by the department must require the network and the system to have the ability to obtain consultations with physicians licensed to practice medicine in this state and board certified in the relevant field or specialty, including radiologists, geneticists, orthopedists, and endocrinologists, to diagnose and treat certain unique health conditions, including:
(1) rickets;
(2) Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome;
(3) osteogenesis imperfecta;
(4) vitamin D deficiency; and
(5) other medical conditions that mimic child maltreatment or increase the risk of misdiagnosis of child maltreatment.
(c) During an abuse or neglect investigation authorized by this subchapter or an assessment provided under Subsection (b), the department shall refer the child's case for a specialty consultation if:
(1) the department determines the child requires a specialty consultation with a physician;
(2) the child's primary care physician or other primary health care provider who provided health care or treatment or otherwise evaluated the child recommends a specialty consultation; or
(3) the child's parent or legal guardian or, if represented by an attorney, the attorney of the parent or legal guardian requests a specialty consultation.
(c-1) For a case in which a specialty consultation is required by Subsection (c), the department shall refer the case to a physician who:
(1) is licensed to practice medicine in this state under Subtitle B, Title 3, Occupations Code;
(2) is board certified in a field or specialty relevant to diagnosing and treating the conditions described by Subsection (b); and
(3) was not involved with the report of suspected abuse or neglect.
(c-2) Before referring a child's case under Subsection (c), the department shall provide to the child's parent or legal guardian or, if represented by an attorney, the attorney of the parent or legal guardian written notice of the name, contact information, and credentials of the specialist. The parent, legal guardian, or attorney, as applicable, may object to the proposed referral and request referral to another specialist. The department and the parent, legal guardian, or attorney, as applicable, shall collaborate in good faith to select an acceptable specialist from the proposed specialists; however the department may refer the child's case to a specialist over the objection of the parent, legal guardian, or attorney.
(d) In providing assessments to the department as provided by Subsection (b), the network and the system must use a blind peer review process to resolve cases where physicians in the network or system disagree in the assessment of the causes of a child's injuries or in the presence of a condition listed under Subsection (b).
(e) This section may not be construed to prohibit a child's parent or legal guardian or, if represented by an attorney, the attorney of the parent or legal guardian from otherwise obtaining an alternative opinion at the parent's, legal guardian's, or attorney's, as applicable, own initiative and expense. The department shall accept and consider an alternative opinion obtained and provided under this section and shall document its analysis and determinations regarding the opinion.
Added by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 502 (H.B. 2848), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.
Amended by:
Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1047 (S.B. 1578), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2021.

For expiration of this section, see Subsection (d).

Structure Texas Statutes

Texas Statutes

Family Code

Title 5 - The Parent-Child Relationship and the Suit Affecting the Parent-Child Relationship

Subtitle E - Protection of the Child

Chapter 261 - Investigation of Report of Child Abuse or Neglect

Subchapter D. Investigations

Section 261.301. Investigation of Report

Section 261.3011. Joint Investigation Guidelines and Training

Section 261.3013. Case Closure Agreements Prohibited

Section 261.3015. Alternative Response System

Section 261.3016. Training of Personnel Receiving Reports of Abuse and Neglect

Section 261.3017. Consultation With Physician Networks and Systems Regarding Certain Medical Conditions

Section 261.30171. Forensic Assessment Center Network Evaluation

Section 261.30175. Mitigation of Provider Conflicts in Abuse or Neglect Investigation Consultations

Section 261.3018. Abbreviated Investigation and Administrative Closure of Certain Cases

Section 261.302. Conduct of Investigation

Section 261.3021. Casework Documentation and Management

Section 261.3022. Child Safety Check Alert List

Section 261.3023. Law Enforcement Response to Child Safety Check Alert

Section 261.3024. Removal From Child Safety Check Alert List

Section 261.3027. Notice of Right to Record Interview

Section 261.303. Interference With Investigation; Court Order

Section 261.3031. Failure to Cooperate With Investigation; Department Response

Section 261.3032. Interference With Investigation; Criminal Penalty

Section 261.304. Investigation of Anonymous Report

Section 261.305. Access to Mental Health Records

Section 261.306. Removal of Child From State

Section 261.307. Information Relating to Investigation Procedure and Child Placement Resources

Section 261.3071. Informational Manuals

Section 261.308. Submission of Investigation Report

Section 261.309. Review of Department Investigations

Section 261.3091. Notice of Right to Request Administrative Review

Section 261.310. Investigation Standards

Section 261.311. Notice of Report

Section 261.312. Review Teams; Offense

Section 261.3125. Child Safety Specialists

Section 261.3126. Colocation of Investigators

Section 261.314. Testing

Section 261.315. Removal of Certain Investigation Information From Records

Section 261.316. Exemption From Fees for Medical Records