Texas
Mandated reporters are individuals who are legally required to report known or suspected abuse and neglect of vulnerable populations to state and/or local authorities. Laws surrounding mandated reporting vary from state-to-state so please ensure your familiarity with your state's laws regarding individuals who are required to report known or suspected abuse and neglect.
Links
- State regulation.
- State training and resources.
- Abuse hotline: 1-800-252-5400 + https://www.txabusehotline.org/Login/Default.aspx.
"DFPS only allows the individual who is the subject of the background check to request a Texas Central Registry Check. The subject of the request has the right to receive the results of this check and to share them with any third party.
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) maintains a central registry of reported cases of child abuse and neglect as required by TAC -Texas Administrative Code (state.tx.us) RULE §702.251. The DFPS Central Registry includes information gathered during Child Protective Services (CPS) investigations of child abuse and neglect that resulted in a disposition of ""reason to believe"" for CPS cases. Findings of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult victim are not included in the Central Registry.
An individual will appear on the Central Registry check if they:
- Have the role of designated perpetrator or sustained perpetrator in an investigation included in the registry; or are involved as an alleged perpetrator in an open child abuse or neglect investigation being conducted by DFPS.
- The Central Registry results will not include any child abuse or neglect case information if there was an investigation, but abuse/neglect was ruled out or if it was unable to be determined."
Findings of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an adult victim are not included in the Texas Central Registry check that DFPS conducts. However, the Employee Misconduct Registry (EMR) may be an alternative resource worth considering. In accordance with Chapter 253 of the Health and Safety Code the purpose of the Employee Misconduct Registry is to ensure that unlicensed personnel who commit acts of abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation, or misconduct against residents and consumers are denied employment in HHSC-regulated facilities and agencies.
