The department must maintain a complaint system, share complaint-procedure information, notify the local juvenile probation department and complaint parties in specified cases, and keep detailed records of written complaints.
Sec. 203.010. COMPLAINTS. (a) The department shall maintain a system to promptly and efficiently act on complaints received by the department by or on behalf of a juvenile relating to the programs, services, or facilities of the department or a local juvenile probation department. (b) The department shall make information available describing its procedures for complaint investigation and resolution. (c) Criminal complaints initially referred to the office of inspector general relating to juvenile probation programs, services, or facilities shall be sent to the appropriate local law enforcement agency. The office of inspector general has concurrent jurisdiction on agreement with the local law enforcement agency to conduct a criminal investigation under Section 242.102. Any other complaint shall be referred to the appropriate division of the department. The board by rule shall establish policies for the referral of noncriminal complaints. (d) The department shall provide immediate notice to a local juvenile probation department of a complaint received by the department relating to the programs, services, or facilities of the local juvenile probation department. (e) The department shall periodically notify the complaint parties of the status of the complaint until final disposition, unless the notice would jeopardize an undercover investigation. If the complaint relates to a claim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation involving a local juvenile probation department, the department shall provide monthly updates on the status of the complaint and immediate updates regarding department decisions to the local juvenile probation department. (f) The department shall keep information about each written complaint filed with the department. The information must include: (1) the subject matter of the complaint; (2) the parties to the complaint; (3) a summary of the results of the review or investigation of the complaint; (4) the period of time between the date the complaint is received and the date the complaint is closed; and (5) the disposition of the complaint. Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653), Sec. 1.002, eff. September 1, 2011. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 950 (S.B. 1727), Sec. 22, eff. September 1, 2023.