{"data":{"id":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-51.21","jurisdiction":"us-tx","citation":"Tex. Family Code § 51.21","heading":"MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING AND REFERRAL.","body":"(a) A probation department that administers the mental health screening instrument or clinical assessment required by Section 221.003, Human Resources Code, shall refer the child to the local mental health authority for assessment and evaluation if:\n(1) the child's scores on the screening instrument or clinical assessment indicate a need for further mental health assessment and evaluation; and\n(2) the department and child do not have access to an internal, contract, or private mental health professional.\n(b) A probation department shall report each referral of a child to a local mental health authority made under Subsection (a) to the Texas Juvenile Justice Department in a format specified by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.\nAdded by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 949 (H.B. 1575), Sec. 8, eff. September 1, 2005.\nAmended by:\nActs 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653), Sec. 3.005, eff. September 1, 2011.\nActs 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 734 (H.B. 1549), Sec. 46, eff. September 1, 2015.","path":["FAMILY CODE","TITLE 3. JUVENILE JUSTICE CODE","CHAPTER 51. GENERAL PROVISIONS"],"source_url":"https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/FA/htm/FA.51.htm#51.21","current_through":"89th 2nd Called Legislative Session, 2025","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T01:47:10Z","sha256":"4a4c412d81c625cbd3bf1ca6b87678344eda1d1c3ea9fd3cb75d5073c648976f","source_id":"us-tx","stale":false,"prev":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-51.20","next":"us-tx/tex.-family-code-52.01"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}