In an investigation, the department or state agency must determine whether a person needs protective services and related support, and may have to place the person on a waiting list and keep the case open until abuse, neglect, or exploitation is resolved if needed services are unavailable.
Sec. 48.202. SERVICE DETERMINATION BY DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY. (a) In an investigation the department or state agency, as appropriate, shall determine: (1) whether the person needs protective services from the department; (2) what services are needed; (3) whether services are available from the department, from the state agency, or in the community and how they can be provided; (4) whether the person, acting alone, would be capable of obtaining needed services and could bear the cost or would be eligible for services from the department or state agency; (5) whether a caretaker would be willing to provide services or would agree to their provision; (6) whether the elderly person or person with a disability desires the services; (7) whether the person needs legal intervention to resolve the person's abuse, neglect, or exploitation and, if so, what type of intervention is needed; and (8) other pertinent data. (b) If the department or state agency, as appropriate, determines under Subsection (a)(1) that a person needs protective services, the department or agency shall, in determining how those services can be provided as required by Subsection (a)(3), determine whether the person may be eligible for community-based long-term services and supports and whether those services and supports are available. If the person is eligible for those services and supports, but the services and supports are not immediately available, the department or state agency shall ensure that the person is placed on an appropriate waiting list for the services and supports and that the person's abuse, neglect, or exploitation is resolved before the department closes the case. Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 21, eff. Sept. 1, 1999. Amended by: Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 2.14, eff. September 1, 2005. Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.271, eff. April 2, 2015.