Texas § 261.304 INVESTIGATION OF ANONYMOUS REPORT.

Texas Statutes

§ 261.304 — INVESTIGATION OF ANONYMOUS REPORT.

Texas § 261.304

Code FAFamily Code

This text of Texas § 261.304 (INVESTIGATION OF ANONYMOUS REPORT.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

Tex. Family Code Code Ann. § 261.304 (2026).

Text

Sec. 261.304. INVESTIGATION OF ANONYMOUS REPORT.

(a)If an individual makes an anonymous report of child abuse or neglect by a person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare to a law enforcement agency and the agency refers the report to the department, the department shall conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is any evidence to corroborate the report.

(b)An investigation under this section may include a visit to the child's home, unless the alleged abuse or neglect can be confirmed or clearly ruled out without a home visit, an interview with and examination of the child, and an interview with the child's parents. In addition, the department may interview any other person the department believes may have relevant information.

(c)Unless the department

Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI

Sec. 261.304. INVESTIGATION OF ANONYMOUS REPORT. (a) If an individual makes an anonymous report of child abuse or neglect by a person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare to a law enforcement agency and the agency refers the report to the department, the department shall conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is any evidence to corroborate the report.
(b) An investigation under this section may include a visit to the child's home, unless the alleged abuse or neglect can be confirmed or clearly ruled out without a home visit, an interview with and examination of the child, and an interview with the child's parents. In addition, the department may interview any other person the department believes may have relevant information.
(c) Unless the department determines that there is some evidence to corroborate the report of abuse, the department may not conduct the thorough investigation required by this chapter or take any action against the person accused of abuse.

Legislative History

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 416 (S.B. 1063 ), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017. Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 381 (H.B. 63 ), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1138 (S.B. 571 ), Sec. 1.35, eff. June 20, 2025.