1. (a) Not later than 24 hours after the department receives a report of an allegation of abuse, neglect, or exploitation under Section 48.051, the department shall initiate a prompt and thorough investigation as needed to evaluate the accuracy of the report and to assess the need for protective services, unless the department determines that the report:

   1. (1) is frivolous or patently without a factual basis; or
   2. (2) does not concern abuse, neglect, or exploitation, as those terms are defined by rules adopted by the executive commissioner under Section 48.002(c), except that if the executive commissioner has not adopted applicable rules under that section, the statutory definitions of those terms under Section 48.002(a) shall be used.
2. (b) The executive commissioner shall adopt rules for conducting investigations under this chapter.
3. (c) The executive commissioner by rule may assign priorities and prescribe investigative procedures for conducting investigations according to the degree of severity and immediacy of the alleged harm to the individual. Notwithstanding Subsection (a), the priorities and procedures may provide that an investigation is not required to be initiated within 24 hours in all cases.
4. (d) The department shall prepare and keep on file a report of each investigation conducted by the department.
5. (e) This section does not apply to investigations conducted under Subchapter F.

Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2368, ch. 584, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981.

Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 730, ch. 172, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983;

Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 1052, Sec. 5.04, eff. Sept. 1, 1987;

Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 303, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1995;

Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1022, Sec. 56, eff. Sept. 1, 1997. Renumbered from Sec. 48.037 and amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 14, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.

Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1056 (S.B. 221), Sec. 9, eff. September 1, 2011.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.264, eff. April 2, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 860 (S.B. 1880), Sec. 6, eff. September 1, 2015.

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1272 (S.B. 760), Sec. 14, eff. September 1, 2015.