{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-261.304","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Family Code § 261.304","heading":"INVESTIGATION OF ANONYMOUS REPORT.","body":"(a) If an individual makes an anonymous report of child abuse or neglect by a person responsible for a child's care, custody, or welfare to a law enforcement agency and the agency refers the report to the department, the department shall conduct a preliminary investigation to determine whether there is any evidence to corroborate the report.\n(b) An investigation under this section may include a visit to the child's home, unless the alleged abuse or neglect can be confirmed or clearly ruled out without a home visit, an interview with and examination of the child, and an interview with the child's parents. In addition, the department may interview any other person the department believes may have relevant information.\n(c) Unless the department determines that there is some evidence to corroborate the report of abuse, the department may not conduct the thorough investigation required by this chapter or take any action against the person accused of abuse.\nAdded by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995.\nAmended by:\nActs 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 416 (S.B. 1063), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2017.\nActs 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 381 (H.B. 63), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2023.\nActs 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1138 (S.B. 571), Sec. 1.35, eff. June 20, 2025.","path":["FAMILY CODE","TITLE 5. THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP AND THE SUIT AFFECTING THE PARENT-CHILD RELATIONSHIP","SUBTITLE E. PROTECTION OF THE CHILD","CHAPTER 261. INVESTIGATION OF REPORT OF CHILD ABUSE OR NEGLECT","SUBCHAPTER D. INVESTIGATIONS"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.261.htm#261.304","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:10Z","sha256":"a0cb4d573c3a3af6f7a6508da90646839f324edc8b781306e269c4a7eff98f82","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-261.3032","next":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-261.305"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}