SECTION 707.717. What actions may we take during the course of an abuse, neglect, or exploitation investigation?

During the course of an abuse, neglect, or exploitation investigation in a child care operation, we may take any of the following actions:

(1) Evaluate whether the child care operation is regulated by Child Care Licensing (CCL) or subject to regulation by CCL;

(2) Visit the child care operation and conduct a walkthrough;

(3) To protect the immediate safety of children, during the walkthrough ensure that any high risk minimum standard deficiencies are corrected at the time of the visit;

(4) Gather relevant information as part of the investigation;

(5) Provide notification and evidence to CCL of any deficiencies observed during the visit that are:

(A) high risk or in plain view;

(B) physical; or

(C) records/administrative;

(6) Assess the risk to children in the operation and as appropriate:

(A) request the operation to implement a safety plan to mitigate risk and ensure child safety during the investigation; or

(B) notify CCL if the operation will not implement the safety plan;

(7) To protect and ensure the safety of children, investigate any other allegations of deficient minimum standards received in the intake report in addition to the allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Source Note: The provisions of this §707.717 adopted to be effective July 15, 2020, 45 TexReg 4780