ASSESSING NEEDS OF CHILD.

(a) On removing a child from the child's home, the department shall use assessment services provided by a child-care facility, a child-placing agency, or the child's medical home during the initial substitute care placement. The assessment may be used to determine the most appropriate substitute care placement for the child, if needed.

(b) As soon as possible after a child is placed in the managing conservatorship of the department, the department shall assess whether the child has a developmental or intellectual disability.

(c) If the assessment required by Subsection (b) indicates that the child might have an intellectual disability, the department shall ensure that a referral for a determination of intellectual disability is made as soon as possible and that the determination is conducted by an authorized provider before the date of the child's 16th birthday, if practicable. If the child is placed in the managing conservatorship of the department after the child's 16th birthday, the determination of intellectual disability must be conducted as soon as possible after the assessment required by Subsection (b). In this subsection, "authorized provider" has the meaning assigned by Section 593.004, Health and Safety Code.