Sec. 262.352. JOINT MANAGING CONSERVATORSHIP OF CHILD. (a) Before the department files a suit affecting the parent-child relationship requesting managing conservatorship of a child who suffers from a severe emotional disturbance in order to obtain mental health services for the child, the department must, unless it is not in the best interest of the child, discuss with the child's parent or legal guardian the option of seeking a court order for joint managing conservatorship of the child with the department.
(b) Not later than November 1 of each even-numbered year, the department shall report the following information to the legislature:
(1) with respect to children described by Subsection (a):
(A) the number of children for whom the department has been appointed managing conservator;
(B) the number of children for whom the department has been appointed joint managing conservator; and
(C) the number of children who were diverted to community or residential mental health services through another agency; and
(2) the number of persons whose names were entered into the central registry of cases of child abuse and neglect only because the department was named managing conservator of a child who has a severe emotional disturbance because the child's family was unable to obtain mental health services for the child.
(c) Subsection (b) and this subsection expire September 1, 2019.
Added by Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1142 (S.B. 44), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.
Amended by:
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 432 (S.B. 1889), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2015.
Section: Previous 262.202 262.203 262.204 262.205 262.301 262.302 262.303 262.304 262.305 262.306 262.307 262.308 262.309 262.351 262.352Last modified: September 28, 2016