Bill > HB534

This bill requires the Department of Family and Protective Services to conduct an external audit of its investigative procedures if the number of complaints filed about abuse or neglect investigations reaches 15 percent or more of the total investigations in a year. The audit, performed by an independent external auditor, must comprehensively evaluate the department's investigation practices, including determining the number of abuse or neglect reports received and investigated, assessing reasons for not investigating reports, identifying procedural deficiencies, and making recommendations for improvements in reporting, investigation processes, workforce, and organizational practices. The auditor must submit a detailed report to the department, legislature, and governor, and the department is required to develop a plan addressing the audit's concerns within 90 days. If an individual employee has received complaints in 30 percent or more of their investigated cases, the department must conduct an employment review. Additionally, if the legislature or governor determines the department has not adequately addressed the audit recommendations, the department must engage the same or a new external auditor to conduct another audit. The bill will take effect on September 1, 2025, and the department is expected to fund the audit using existing resources.

Health and Social Services

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB534