(a) In this section:
(1) “Person responsible for a child’s care, custody, or welfare” has the meaning assigned by § 261.001, Family Code.
(2) “Punitive action” includes initiating an investigation of a person responsible for a child’s care, custody, or welfare for alleged or suspected abuse or neglect of a child.
(b) The executive commissioner by rule shall prohibit a health and human services agency from taking a punitive action against a person responsible for a child’s care, custody, or welfare for the person’s failure to ensure that the child receives the immunization series prescribed by § 161.004, Health and Safety Code.

(c) This section does not affect a law, including Chapter 31, Human Resources Code, that specifically provides a punitive action for failure to ensure that a child receives the immunization series prescribed by § 161.004, Health and Safety Code.

Text of section effective on April 01, 2025