Sec. 40.065. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER; PLAN. (a) The department shall designate one or more department employees to be primarily responsible for communicating with the public regarding the department's powers and duties. Through the use of designated employees, the department shall ensure:
(1) effective communications between the department and persons seeking to report abuse or neglect or inquiring about the status of a case; and
(2) effective and timely response to questions from the public within the department's confidentiality guidelines.
(b) The department shall develop and implement a communication plan to ensure statewide public and government awareness of child abuse or neglect investigated by the department. The plan shall include information detailing the procedure followed by the department during the investigation and the responsibilities of the department in child abuse cases. In implementing the plan, the department shall establish a process for expediting the reporting of child abuse or neglect to the department. The executive commissioner shall adopt rules to implement this subsection.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 920, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.205, eff. April 2, 2015.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 2 - Human Services and Protective Services in General
Subtitle D - Department of Family and Protective Services; Child Welfare and Protective Services
Chapter 40 - Department of Family and Protective Services
Subchapter C. General Functions of Department
Section 40.0505. Divisions of Department
Section 40.051. Strategic Plan for Department
Section 40.0512. Continuity of Services; Information Sharing
Section 40.0515. Quality Assurance Program for Adult Protective Services; Quarterly Reports
Section 40.0516. Collection of Data; Annual Report
Section 40.0521. Rules Regarding Domestic Violence
Section 40.0522. Community Education and Training Relating to Child Abuse or Neglect
Section 40.0524. Multidisciplinary Teams
Section 40.0526. Building Community Partnerships to Support Children and Families
Section 40.0527. Public Awareness
Section 40.05275. Business Plan for Child Protective Services
Section 40.0529. Caseload Management
Section 40.05291. Electronic Case Management System
Section 40.053. Duty to Perform Other Functions
Section 40.054. Access to Criminal History
Section 40.055. Legislative Appropriation Request
Section 40.0564. Department Funds
Section 40.057. Gifts and Grants
Section 40.058. Contracts and Agreements
Section 40.0581. Performance Measures for Certain Service Provider Contracts
Section 40.0582. Quality Contracting Framework
Section 40.0583. State Auditor Review of Contracts
Section 40.060. Indemnification for Legal Expenses
Section 40.062. Exemption From Certain Costs and Fees
Section 40.063. Exceptions From Certain Provisions of Administrative Procedure Act
Section 40.064. Interagency Cooperation and Exchange of Information
Section 40.065. Communications Officer; Plan
Section 40.066. Cooperation With State Office of Administrative Hearings
Section 40.067. Delivery of Services in Areas Bordering United Mexican States
Section 40.068. Local Accounts
Section 40.070. Support Services for Certain Families
Section 40.071. Drug-Endangered Child Initiative
Section 40.072. Duty to Report; Department Records