(a) In this article, “department” means the Department of Family and Protective Services.
(b) A peace officer who locates a child or other person listed on the Texas Crime Information Center’s child safety check alert list established under § 261.3022, Family Code, shall:
(1) immediately contact the department on the department’s dedicated law-enforcement telephone number for statewide intake;
(2) request information from the department regarding the circumstances of the case involving the child or other person; and
(3) request information from the child and the other person regarding the child’s safety, well-being, and current residence.

(c) The peace officer may temporarily detain the child or other person to ensure the safety and well-being of the child.
(d) If the peace officer determines that the circumstances described by § 262.104, Family Code, exist, the officer may take temporary possession of the child without a court order as provided by that section. If the peace officer does not take temporary possession of the child, the officer shall obtain the child’s current address and any other relevant information and report that information to the department.
(e) A peace officer who locates a child or other person listed on the Texas Crime Information Center’s child safety check alert list and who reports the child’s or other person’s current address and other relevant information to the department shall report to the Texas Crime Information Center that the child or other person has been located and to whom the child was released, as applicable.

Text of article effective on January 01, 2025