1. (a) Establishment. The Child Protective Investigations Advisory Committee (CPI Advisory Committee) is established in accordance with Human Resources Code Section 40.031.
2. (b) Purpose. The purpose of the CPI Advisory Committee is to advise and make recommendations to DFPS on improving the accuracy, consistency, and compliance of child protective investigations involving specified individuals responsible for a child's care, custody or welfare, namely a child's parent, guardian, managing or possessory conservator, or foster parent; a member of the child's family or household; or a person with whom the child's parent cohabits.

3. (c) Tasks. The CPI Advisory Committee, as directed by the Chair, shall advise and make recommendations to DFPS pursuant to Human Resources Code Section 40.031(a) and (b), which may include, but is not limited to:

   1. (1) policies, procedures, training, monitoring, compliance, and oversight related to child protective investigations;
   2. (2) improving accuracy, consistency and legal compliance of investigations, including protection of due process rights;
   3. (3) engaging with legal stakeholders and courts;
   4. (4) promoting data-informed models for investigations;
   5. (5) identifying and monitoring challenges related to the department's interaction and collaboration with any external parties that participate in the investigation processes;
   6. (6) addressing barriers to standardization and accountability measures; and
   7. (7) providing a forum for public input.

4. (d) Reporting.

   1. (1) The CPI Advisory Committee shall prepare and submit an annual report to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, members of the Legislature, and the Commissioner. DFPS shall publish the report on its website.
   2. (2) Any and all CPI Advisory Committee reports and recommendations are advisory in nature and do not obligate DFPS to take action.
5. (e) Bylaws. The CPI Advisory Committee may adopt bylaws, consistent with statute and rule, to further govern its internal practices. The bylaws may address membership, meetings, attendance requirements, notices, conflicts of interest, and other administrative or procedural matters necessary for the CPI Advisory Committee operation.
6. (f) Scope of Records. Any information including records provided by DFPS to the CPI Advisory Committee may only involve a closed investigation of persons described by Family Code Section 261.001(5)(A), (B), or (C) and are not pending an administrative review, State Administrative Office Hearing, or Suit Affecting the Parent Child Relationship.

7. (g) Confidentiality.

   1. (1) Any information provided to the CPI Advisory Committee regarding a child protective investigation, including but not limited to information derived from investigation records, DFPS's determinations resulting from the investigation, and any advisory committee work product, is confidential under Texas Human Resources Code Section 40.031(j) and is not subject to disclosure under Government Code Chapter 552.
   2. (2) CPI Advisory Committee work product includes but is not limited to any notes, summaries, analyses, drafts, emails, communications, deliberations, or recommendations created by or for the CPI Advisory Committee or that are created by a Member in connection with the Member's function as part of the CPI Advisory Committee as described in Human Resources Code Section 40.031(a) and (b).
   3. (3) DFPS shall adopt and implement confidentiality procedures to ensure that confidential information provided to or derived from the CPI Advisory Committee is protected from unauthorized disclosure. Members must comply with these confidential procedures and shall sign a confidentiality agreement to ensure confidentiality of the information provided.
   4. (4) Any information provided or disclosed to the CPI Advisory Committee, even if redacted, remains confidential.
8. (h) Open Meetings. The CPI Advisory Committee is subject to the Open Meetings Act, Government Code Chapter 551. The CPI Advisory Committee may conduct a closed meeting under Human Resources Code Section 40.031(h) in accordance with the Open Meetings Act to discuss information related to a case under review by the CPI Advisory Committee under Human Resources Code Section 40.031(i).
9. (i) Subcommittees. The CPI Advisory Committee may not establish or utilize any subcommittees or workgroups.
10. (j) Expiration. The CPI Advisory Committee is abolished, and this section expires, September 1, 2029.

Source Note:The provisions of this §702.506 adopted to be effective April 5, 2026, 51 TexReg 2071.