TX Public Information Act Request
It is a clone of this request.
| Submitted | Nov. 7, 2021 |
| Due | Nov. 22, 2021 |
| Est. Completion | None |
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Communications
From: Mr. William
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
The 2017-2021 general manuals on the operating procedures/guidelines and policies within the Harris County Domestic Relation Office that references :
- Interference with Child Custody, TX Pen. Code 25.03, a state jail felony.
- Kidnapping, TX Pen. Code 20.03, a felony
The laws are decades old, so I'm requesting a copy for my upcoming meeting with legislatures.
I want to kindly emphasize that my request does not interfere with detection, investigation or prosecution of a crime.
This formal request is not seeking information on active case per Government Code 552.101 and 552.108, merely requesting the policies and procedural documents.
The requested records will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage. Disclosure of this information is in the public interest because providing a copy of the information primarily benefits the general public. I therefore request a waiver of all fees and charges pursuant to Section 552.267 of the act.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Egalitarian Network
From:
To Whom it May Concern,
The Harris County Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is in receipt of your public records request dated November 7, 2021. You have requested the following:
The 2017-2021 general manuals on the operating procedures/guidelines and policies within the Harris County Domestic Relation Office that references :
- Interference with Child Custody, TX Pen. Code 25.03, a state jail felony.
- Kidnapping, TX Pen. Code 20.03, a felony
The Harris County Domestic Relations Office does not provide the services in your request because it is not authorized to do so under Chapter 203 of the Texas Family Code. Furthermore, the DRO does not handle any criminal matters or operate in the criminal courts. Therefore we do not have any records responsive to your request. You may wish to contact the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Domestic Violence Division for assistance.
Kind Regards,
Jane McMahon
Legal Services Division Director
Harris County Domestic Relations Office
Office Phone: 713-274-7312, Fax: 713-437-4728
Jane.McMahon@dro.hctx.net<mailto:Jane.McMahon@dro.hctx.net>
[logo-b]
Confidentiality Notice
Information in this document is confidential and / or privileged. The document is intended to be reviewed by only the individual or organization named above. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, any review, dissemination and / or copying of this document, attachments, and / or information in the document is prohibited. If you have received this document in error, please immediately notify the sender and destroy or delete the document from your system.
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From: Mr. William
Please accept this amended TX PIA as followed below:
To Whom It May Concern:
Pursuant to the Texas Public Information Act, I hereby request the following records:
1. The 2017-2021 general manuals on the operating procedures/guidelines and policies within the Harris County Domestic Relation Office that references :
- Interference with Child Custody
- Kidnapping
- Denial of Child Custody
2. Harris County Domestic Relation Office guidelines and/or policies on reporting criminal matters to Harris County District Attorney Office and local law enforcement authorities.
3. All contracts with Texas Title IV-D agency (TX OAG) established between the years of 2017 through 2021.
I want to kindly emphasize that my request does not interfere with detection, investigation or prosecution of a crime.
This formal request is not seeking information on active case per Government Code 552.101 and 552.108, merely requesting the policies and procedural documents.
The requested records will be made available to the general public free of charge as part of the public information service at MuckRock.com, processed by a representative of the news media/press and is made in the process of news gathering and not for commercial usage. Disclosure of this information is in the public interest because providing a copy of the information primarily benefits the general public. I therefore request a waiver of all fees and charges pursuant to Section 552.267 of the act.
The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.
In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.
Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 10 business days, as the statute requires.
Sincerely,
Egalitarian Network
From: Harris County Domestic Relations Office
To Whom it may concern,
The Harris County Domestic Relations Office (DRO) is in receipt of your follow up public records request dated November 10, 2021. Please see the below responses.
1. The 2017-2021 general manuals on the operating procedures/guidelines and policies within the Harris County Domestic Relation Office that references :
- Interference with Child Custody
- Kidnapping
- Denial of Child Custody
Response: The office does not provide services for (1) interference with child custody, (2) kidnapping, or (3) denial of child custody. These services are provided by the Harris County District Attorney's Office, Domestic Violence Division. The office provides services for civil denial of possession and access under Chapter 157, Texas Family Code and as provided in Chapter 203, Texas Family Code. These actions are filed in the Harris County Family Courts, not in a court with criminal jurisdiction. Attached are the policies and procedures relating to those services. Our website has information that may be helpful.
1. Harris County Domestic Relation Office guidelines and/or policies on reporting criminal matters to Harris County District Attorney Office and local law enforcement authorities.
Response: All references to criminal matters in our employee handbook relate to criminal investigations of employees. While there is no written policy to report criminal matters to the Harris County District Attorney's Office and local law enforcement authorities, staff have been trained to refer to those entities when appropriate. Attached is the Legal Agency Referrals list provided for each customer service representative.
1. All contracts with Texas Title IV-D agency (TX OAG) established between the years of 2017 through 2021.
Response: All Harris County contracts executed by Harris County Commissioners Court are located at the Harris County Clerk's Office. They are the depository of all contracts signed by Commissioners Court.
Kind Regards,
Jane McMahon
Legal Services Division Director
Harris County Domestic Relations Office
Office Phone: 713-274-7312, Fax: 713-437-4728
Jane.McMahon@dro.hctx.net<mailto:Jane.McMahon@dro.hctx.net>
[logo-b]
Confidentiality Notice
Information in this document is confidential and / or privileged. The document is intended to be reviewed by only the individual or organization named above. If you are not the intended recipient or an authorized representative of the intended recipient, any review, dissemination and / or copying of this document, attachments, and / or information in the document is prohibited. If you have received this document in error, please immediately notify the sender and destroy or delete the document from your system.
From: Mr. William
Dear Custodian of Records:
Under the Texas Public Information Act, Texas Government Code Chapter 552, I am requesting an opportunity to inspect or obtain copies of the following records:
1. A copy of all contracts with the Texas Title IV-D Agency, also known as the Office of the Attorney General in your possession or access to.
2. A complete budget report for the Harris County Domestic Relations Office for Fiscal Year 21
3. A complete list of all employees of the Harris County Domestic Relations Office, their titles, and salaries.
If there are any fees for searching or copying these records, please inform me. However, I would also like to request a waiver of all fees (as per section 552.267 of the Texas Government Code) in that the disclosure of the requested information is in the public interest and will contribute significantly to the public’s and my personal understanding of the mission and workings of the Harris County Domestic Relations Office.
The Texas Public Information Act requires that you "promptly produce" the requested records unless, within 10 days, you have sought an Attorney General's Opinion. If you expect a significant delay in responding to this request, please contact me with information about when I might expect copies or the ability to inspect the requested records.
If you deny any or all of this request, please cite each specific exemption you feel justifies the refusal to release the information and notify me of the appeal procedures available to me under the law.
If you are not in possession of any or all of these documents, I would request in writing on the Harris County Domestic Relations Office letterhead that they are not in possession of these documents and which specific documents they are not in possession of.
Thank you for considering my request
Sincerely,
From: Harris County Domestic Relations Office
Good afternoon:
Please see the information in red below and attachments satisfying this request.
David Simpson
David W. Simpson, J.D.
Executive Director
Harris County Domestic Relations Office
713-274-7307
www.dro.hctx.net<http://www.dro.hctx.net/>
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