With the new school year approaching, schools and youth organizations should update their policies to reflect changes found in SB 571, which amends the Texas Education Code and Texas Family Code with expedited timelines for the reporting obligations of professionals who reasonably suspect child abuse or neglect. These changes impact both public and private schools.
Key Changes
1. Professionals Have 24 Hours to Report
Already effective as of June 20, 2025, a large range of professionals—including employees (arguably even when working in a volunteer role for their employer or another organization)—must comply with a shortened reporting deadline. A professional with reasonable cause to believe a child has been abused or neglected now has a non-delegable duty to make a report within 24 hours of first having reasonable cause to believe abuse or neglect of a child has occurred. This is quicker than the previous 48-hour requirement. Texas Family Code § 261.101(b).
In this context, “professional” is broadly defined to include teachers, nurses, doctors, day-care employees, employees of a clinic or health care facility that provides reproductive services, juvenile probation officers, and juvenile detention or correctional officers. Even when working in a volunteer capacity, those who fit this definition should report within 24 hours.
2. Public Schools Have New and Quicker Reporting Deadlines
A principal of a public school has the further obligation to notify the superintendent or director within 48 hours of becoming aware of evidence an educator engaged in abuse, an unlawful act, involvement or solicitation of a romantic relationship, solicitation or engaging in sexual contact, inappropriate communications, or failure to maintain appropriate boundaries with a student or minor. Texas Education Code § 22A.051(c).
Similarly, the superintendent or director of a public school, after receiving notice or otherwise becoming aware of the same evidence listed above, must file a report with the State Board of Education Certification within 48 hours. This report must be made through TEA’s internet portal. Texas Education Code § 22A.051(d).
This 48-hour deadline exists alongside the 7-business-day deadlines that principals, superintendents, and directors must still follow in other reporting circumstances.
3. Private Schools Have New Obligation
The Chief Administrative Officer of a private school now has the same obligation as a superintendent or director of a public school: upon becoming aware of evidence an educator engaged in abuse, an unlawful act, involvement or solicitation of a romantic relationship, solicitation or engaging in sexual contact, inappropriate communications, or failure to maintain appropriate boundaries with a student or minor, the Chief Administrative Officer must notify the State Board of Educator Certification within 48 hours by filing a report through TEA’s internet portal. Texas Education Code § 22A.301(a), (c), (d).
Protecting Your Professionals
Ahead of the 2025-2026 school year, clients should review and update employee handbooks, training material on abuse and neglect reporting, and any additional internal documents to reflect the new 24-hour reporting requirements. Additionally, public and private schools alike should update reporting policies regarding the new duty of principals, superintendents, directors, and chief administrative officers to complete the online report within 48 hours.
Failure to comply with these new deadlines may result in prosecution for failure to report child abuse. A felony indictment may be presented within four years from the date the offense was discovered; an indictment may be presented within three years from the date the offense was discovered.
Please let us know if we can assist you in navigating the new legislation, updating your policy language, or analyzing how this impacts your organization.
