Every school employee plays a role in protecting students. Eduhero has updated the Child Maltreatment Responsibilities course to reflect the latest changes in Texas law. These revisions reinforce the 24-hour reporting requirement, expand the legal definition of abuse, and clarify the responsibilities of all staff members, from classroom teachers to campus administrators and support personnel. The goal is to ensure that every adult in our schools understands their legal duties in safeguarding children.

24 Hour Reporting:

• If you suspect abuse or neglect, you must report the abuse within 24 hours. 
• Reports must be made to DFPS or law enforcement (not campus police or educational entity police departments)
• Reports cannot be anonymous, but your identity will remain confidential unless required by a court.

Expanded Definition of Abuse:
The legal definition of abuse has expanded. It now includes:

• Harmful non-physical conduct
• Exposure to controlled substances
• Trafficking
• Coercion into marriage
• Failure to make a reasonable effort to protect a child from harm caused by others
• Encouraging or involving a child in sexual conduct or performance
• Creating or allowing pornographic or obscene images of a child

Sexual Abuse:

• Sexual abuse refers to any sexual conduct harmful to a child's mental, emotional, or physical welfare.
• This includes conduct that constitutes an improper relationship between an educator and a student, as defined by Texas Penal Code 21.12. 
• The term “sexual conduct” includes a range of actions, many of which do not involve touching or even being near a child.

Administrator Duties: 

• Principals must report employee misconduct to the superintendent within 48 hours of becoming aware.
• Superintendents must report that misconduct to TEA/SBEC within 48 hours. 
• Reports are submitted through a TEA portal by school administrators. 
• While school staff does not file these reports, your timely reporting ensures administrators can meet their legal deadlines.

Parent Notification: 
School administrators are now required to notify parents or guardians when allegations of employee misconduct arise. The notice must include: 

• That an allegation of misconduct occurred
• If the employee resigned or was terminated
• If a report was filed with TEA or SBEC

What This Means for You:
We strongly encourage all staff to retake the updated course so you can review the changes in full and understand how they apply in practice. This post only provides a high-level summary; it does not replace the complete training. If you cannot retake the course right away, please know that these requirements are already part of the current law and apply to everyone working in Texas schools. 

Important Notes: 

• These updates are now reflected in more detail in the revised course.
• Always follow your district’s policies and procedures when making a report. Some districts may have additional steps and responsibilities.
• Before reviewing or retaking the course, please clear your browser’s cache to ensure the updated content loads correctly.

Thank you for your dedication to your students and commitment to safe learning environments.