83R5020 MCK-F
 
  By: Parker H.B. No. 2495
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to reporting child abuse and neglect and to training
  regarding recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect at
  schools, institutions of higher education, and other entities.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 38.004(a), Education Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         (a)  The agency shall develop a policy governing the reports
  of child abuse or neglect [reports] required by Chapter 261, Family
  Code, of school districts, open-enrollment charter schools, and
  their employees.  The policy must provide for cooperation with law
  enforcement child abuse investigations without the consent of the
  child's parents if necessary, including investigations by the
  Department of Family and Protective [and Regulatory] Services.  The
  policy must require each school district and open-enrollment
  charter school employee to report child abuse or neglect in the
  manner required by Chapter 261, Family Code.  The policy may not
  permit or require a school district or open-enrollment charter
  school employee to report child abuse or neglect to the employee's
  supervisor before the employee makes the report required by Chapter
  261, Family Code.  Each school district and open-enrollment charter
  school shall adopt the policy.
         SECTION 2.  Section 38.0041(c), Education Code, is amended
  to read as follows:
         (c)  The methods under Subsection (b)(1) for increasing
  awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse and other maltreatment
  of children must include training, as provided by this subsection,
  concerning prevention techniques for and recognition of sexual
  abuse and all other maltreatment of children.  The training:
               (1)  must be provided, as part of a new employee
  orientation, to all new school district and open-enrollment charter
  school employees and to existing district and open-enrollment
  charter school employees on a schedule adopted by the agency by rule
  until all district and open-enrollment charter school employees
  have taken the training [educators, including counselors and
  coaches, and other district and charter school professional staff
  members]; and
               (2)  [may be provided annually to any district or
  charter school staff member; and
               [(3)]  must include training concerning:
                     (A)  factors indicating a child is at risk for
  sexual abuse or other maltreatment;
                     (B)  likely warning signs indicating a child may
  be a victim of sexual abuse or other maltreatment;
                     (C)  internal procedures for seeking assistance
  for a child who is at risk for sexual abuse or other maltreatment,
  including referral to a school counselor, a social worker, or
  another mental health professional;
                     (D)  techniques for reducing a child's risk of
  sexual abuse or other maltreatment; and
                     (E)  community organizations that have relevant
  existing research-based programs that are able to provide training
  or other education for school district or open-enrollment charter
  school staff members, students, and parents.
         SECTION 3.  Subchapter Z, Chapter 51, Education Code, is
  amended by adding Section 51.9761 to read as follows:
         Sec. 51.9761. CHILD ABUSE REPORTING POLICY AND TRAINING.  
  (a)  In this section, "other maltreatment" has the meaning assigned
  by Section 42.002, Human Resources Code.
         (b)  Each institution of higher education shall adopt a
  policy governing the reporting of child abuse and neglect as
  required by Chapter 261, Family Code, for the institution and its
  employees. The policy must require each employee of the institution
  to report child abuse and neglect in the manner required by Chapter
  261, Family Code.  The policy may not permit or require an employee
  to report child abuse and neglect to the employee's supervisor
  before the employee makes the report required by Chapter 261,
  Family Code.
         (c)  Each institution of higher education shall provide
  training for employees who are professionals as defined by Section
  261.101, Family Code, in recognizing and preventing sexual abuse
  and other maltreatment of children and the responsibility and
  procedure of reporting suspected occurrences of sexual abuse and
  other maltreatment.  The training must include:
               (1)  techniques for reducing a child's risk of sexual
  abuse or other maltreatment;
               (2)  factors indicating a child is at risk for sexual
  abuse or other maltreatment;
               (3)  the warning signs and symptoms associated with
  sexual abuse or other maltreatment and recognition of those signs
  and symptoms; and
               (4)  the requirements and procedures for reporting
  suspected sexual abuse or other maltreatment as provided by Chapter
  261, Family Code.
         SECTION 4.  Section 42.0426, Human Resources Code, is
  amended by adding Subsection (a-1) to read as follows:
         (a-1)  A licensed facility shall require each employee of the
  facility who attends a training program required by Subsection
  (a)(1) to sign a statement verifying the employee's attendance at
  the training program.  The licensed facility shall maintain the
  statement in the employee's personnel records.
         SECTION 5.  Section 42.04261(a), Human Resources Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
         (a)  Notwithstanding Section 42.0426(a)(1), a child-placing
  agency or day-care center shall provide training for staff members
  in:
               (1)  [prevention] techniques for recognizing [and] the
  [recognition of] symptoms of and preventing sexual abuse and other
  maltreatment of children; and
               (2)  the responsibility and procedure for [of]
  reporting suspected occurrences of sexual abuse and other
  maltreatment of children to the department or other appropriate
  entities [entity].
         SECTION 6.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.