Sec. 264.403. INTERAGENCY MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING. (a) A center shall enter into a memorandum of understanding regarding participation in the multidisciplinary team response under Section 264.406. The center and each of the following agencies must execute the memorandum of understanding:

(1) the department responsible for child abuse and neglect investigations;

(2) each county and municipal law enforcement agency with jurisdiction to investigate child abuse and neglect in the area to be served by the center; and

(3) each county or district attorney with jurisdiction to prosecute child abuse and neglect cases in the area to be served by the center.

(b) A memorandum of understanding executed under this section shall include the agreement of each participating agency to cooperate in:

(1) minimizing the revictimization of alleged abuse and neglect victims and nonoffending family members through the investigation, assessment, intervention, and prosecution processes; and

(2) maintaining a cooperative team approach to facilitate successful outcomes in the criminal justice and child protection systems through shared fact-finding and strong, collaborative case development.

(c) The memorandum of understanding must be reexecuted:

(1) at least every three years;

(2) on a significant change to the memorandum of understanding; or

(3) on a change of a signatory of a participating agency.

Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 255, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.

Amended by:

Acts 2019, 86th Leg., R.S., Ch. 396 (S.B. 821), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2019.