Child Protective Services
Handbook Revision, July 2014
This revision of the Child Protective Services Handbook was published on July 2, 2014. Summaries of new or revised items are provided below.
Consent to Enter a Residence (PATS 6922)
The items below are revised or added to provide:
• guidance to caseworkers on how to determine if they can use a child's consent to enter a home and conduct a home visit; and
• direction on documenting the decision to use the child's consent within 24 hours.
CPS staff were informed of this policy with the issuance of PSA 14-006 on 9/16/2013.
See:
2351.2 Who Has the Authority to Give Consent to Enter the Home
2351.21 Determining Whether a Child Has the Capacity to Give Consent
2351.22 Concerns About Child Safety
Section 1450 Confidentiality of Information and its sub-items are replaced in their entirety to reflect current policy.
The policy is being updated to bring it into conformance with current law and rule, and to provide more clarity regarding what information regarding a child may be shared with the specified individuals or entities in accordance with law.
See:
1450 Confidentiality of Information
1451 Sharing Confidential Information
1452 Statutory Overview
1453 Requests for Case Records
1454 Releasing Information for the Safety or Protection of a Child or Family, or for Legal Processes
1454.1 Sharing Information During the Course of an Investigation
1454.2 Releasing Information to Locate Missing Parents or Children
1454.3 General Prohibition Against the Release of Criminal History Records Information
1454.31 Exception Allowing Release: Court and Administrative Hearings
1454.32 Exception Allowing Release: Worker Release to Carry Out Certain DFPS Functions
1454.33 Releasing Information for the Child’s Safety
1454.34 Criminal History Information Policy
1454.35 Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS)
1454.4 Releasing Information to Law Enforcement Agencies, Out-of-State Child Protective Services Agencies, and County, District, or Prosecuting Attorneys
1454.41 Information About an Open Case
1454.42 Information About Criminal Activity at Any Case Stage
1454.43 Closed Case Records
1454.5 Releasing Information to the Family Court, or to Comply With a Court Order
1454.6 Releasing Information to Court-Appointed Attorneys and Guardians Ad Litem
1454.7 Sharing Information With Court-Appointed Special Advocates Staff and Volunteers
1454.8 Protecting Locating Information of Family Violence Victims
1455 Releasing Information to Obtain Services for the Child
1455.1 Releasing Information to the Caregiver of a Child in Conservatorship
1455.2 Releasing Information During Family Meetings
1455.3 Releasing Information to Access Health Care or Social Services
1455.31 Releasing Information on a Child Not in DFPS Conservatorship
1455.32 Releasing Information on a Child in Conservatorship
1455.4 Releasing Information to Access Education Services
1455.41 Releasing Information on a Child Not in DFPS Conservatorship
1455.42 Releasing Information on a Child in Conservatorship
1455.5 Releasing Information to Prospective Adoptive or Adoptive Parents
1455.6 Sharing Information with Juvenile Service Providers
1455.7 Sharing Information with Local Juvenile Probation Departments
1456 Releasing or Using Children’s Photographs or Images
1456.1 DFPS and the Child’s Consent Required
1456.11 Exception When Only the Child’s Consent Is Required
1456.12 Exception When the Child’s Consent Is Not Required
1457 Special Types of Information or Situations
1457.1 Release of Information on a Child Fatality Investigation
1457.2 Abortion Information
1457.21 Releasing Abortion Information on a Child Not in DFPS Conservatorship
1457.22 Releasing Abortion Information on a Child in Conservatorship
1457.3 HIV Information
1457.4 Drug or Alcohol Treatment Records Pertaining to a Child
1457.5 Privileged Communications
1457.6 Disability Rights Texas
1457.7 Releasing Information to Military Personnel
1457.8 Media Inquiries or Requests from Legislative Offices
1458 Subpoenas
1459 Public Information (Open Records)
Cross-references were redirected in:
1432.6 Confidentiality and Release of Family Tree Reports
10133.51 Accessing the Basic Family Tree Report
2798 Investigating Reports of Abuse or Neglect on Military Bases
6943 Completing the Placement
2490 When People Request Copies of Case Records