Sec. 48.205.  PROVISION OF SERVICES.  (a)  Subject to the availability of funds, the department shall provide direct protective services or contract with protective services agencies for the provision of those services.
(b)  The department shall use existing resources and services of public and private agencies in providing protective services.  If the department does not have existing resources to provide direct protective services to elderly persons or persons with disabilities, the department, subject to the availability of funds, shall contract with protective services agencies for the provision of those services, especially to persons residing in rural or remote areas of this state or not previously served by the department.
(c)  The department and law enforcement officials, courts, and agencies shall cooperate when providing protective services.
(d)  The responsibilities prescribed by this chapter are exclusive of those designated to other state or federal agencies authorized or required by law to provide protective services to elderly persons or persons with disabilities determined to be in the state of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2368, ch. 584, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981.  Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 730, ch. 172, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983.  Added by Acts 1981, 67th Leg., p. 2368, ch. 584, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1981.  Amended by Acts 1983, 68th Leg., p. 730, ch. 172, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1983;  Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 905, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1993;  Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 303, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Renumbered from Sec. 48.021 and amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 907, Sec. 24, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 268 (S.B. 6), Sec. 2.15, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 219), Sec. 4.274, eff. April 2, 2015.