Handbook Revision, June 8, 2023

These revisions of the Child Protective Services Handbook were published on June 8, 2023.

On September 1, 2017, the investigations branch of CPS became a separate division named Child Protective Investigations (CPI). Until CPI develops its own policy handbook, investigation policies and procedures will remain in the CPS Handbook.

Removal of Policy Related to Abortion

This handbook revision updates policy to reflect changes to the law passed during the 87th Texas Legislature and impacted by the United States Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022).

See:

1456.2 Release of Abortion Information

1456.3 1456.2 HIV Information

1456.4 1456.3 Drug or Alcohol Treatment Records about a Child

1456.5 1456.4 Disability Rights Texas

1456.6 1456.5 Releasing Information to Military Personnel

1456.7 1456.6 Media Inquiries and Requests from Legislative Offices

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2340 Situations Requiring Confidentiality

2341 Abortion

2341.1 Referral to Prosecution of Suspected Physical or Sexual Abuse

2342 2340 OAG Address Confidentiality

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5750 Judicial Bypass Alternative to Notifying a Parent About Abortion

5751 DFPS Appointment as Guardian Ad Litem

5751.1 Record of Guardian Ad Litem Appointment

5760 5750 Social Studies

5761 5751 Orders for DFPS to Conduct a Home Screening in a Case to Which DFPS Is Not a Party

5770 5760 Prior Out-of-State Orders Regarding Children

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11740 Pregnancy and Abortion

11741 If a Youth Is Pregnant

11742 Informing Parents and Legal Guardians about Pregnancy- and Abortion-Related Information

11743 If DFPS Is Appointed as Guardian Ad Litem for a Youth Who Has Applied for Judicial Bypass

11744 11743 Documenting Pregnancy- and Abortion-Related Information for Youth in Conservatorship