Article 63.00905 - [Multiple Versions] Law Enforcement Requirements For Report Of Missing Child(a) Regardless of the jurisdiction in which the child went missing, a law enforcement agency, on receiving a report of a missing child, shall: (1) immediately start an investigation in order to determine the present location of the child; (2) immediately, but not later than two hours after receiving the report, enter the name of the child into the clearinghouse and the national crime information center missing person file if the child meets the center's criteria, with all available identifying features such as dental records, fingerprints, other physical characteristics, and a description of the clothing worn when last seen, and all available information describing any person reasonably believed to have taken or retained the missing child; (3) immediately, but not later than two hours after the agency receives the report, enter the applicable information into the Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System or a successor system of telecommunication used by law enforcement agencies and operated by the Department of Public Safety; (4) not later than the 30th day after the date the agency receives the report, enter the name of the child into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, with all available identifying features such as dental records, fingerprints, other physical characteristics, and a description of the clothing worn when last seen, and all available information describing any person reasonably believed to have taken or retained the missing child; and (5) inform the person who filed the report of the missing child that the information will be entered into the clearinghouse, the national crime information center missing person file, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. (b) A local law enforcement agency, on receiving a report of a child missing under the circumstances described by Article 63.001(3)(D) for a period of not less than 48 hours, shall immediately make a reasonable effort to locate the child and determine the well-being of the child. On determining the location of the child, if the agency has reason to believe that the child is a victim of abuse or neglect as defined by Section 261.001, Family Code, the agency: (1) shall notify the Department of Family and Protective Services; and (2) may take possession of the child under Subchapter B, Chapter 262, Family Code. (c) The Department of Family and Protective Services, on receiving notice under Subsection (b), may initiate an investigation into the allegation of abuse or neglect under Section 261.301, Family Code, and take possession of the child under Chapter 262, Family Code. (d) Information not immediately available when the original entry is made shall be entered into the clearinghouse, the national crime information center file, and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System as a supplement to the original entry as soon as possible. (e) If a local law enforcement agency investigating a report of a missing child obtains a warrant for the arrest of a person for taking or retaining the missing child, the local law enforcement agency shall immediately enter the name and other descriptive information of the person into the national crime information center wanted person file if the person meets the center's criteria. The local law enforcement agency shall also enter all available identifying features, including dental records, fingerprints, and other physical characteristics of the missing child. The information shall be cross-referenced with the information in the national crime information center missing person file. (f) Immediately after the return of a missing child, the local law enforcement agency having jurisdiction of the investigation shall: (1) clear the entry in the national crime information center database; and (2) notify the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. (g) On determining the location of a child, other than a child who is subject to the continuing jurisdiction of a district court, an officer shall take possession of the child and shall deliver or arrange for the delivery of the child to a person entitled to possession of the child. If the person entitled to possession of the child is not immediately available, the law enforcement officer shall deliver the child to the Department of Family and Protective Services. Tex. Fam. Code § 63.00905
Added by Acts 2023, Texas Acts of the 88th Leg.- Regular Session, ch. 979,Sec. 4, eff. 9/1/2023.