Revision 25-1; Effective Feb. 24, 2025

Texas Health and Human Services agencies may only provide funds to contractors and providers who show good faith efforts to comply with all child abuse reporting guidelines and requirements in Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code.

To report abuse or neglect, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400 or use the secure Texas Abuse Hotline Website. For cases that pose an imminent threat or danger to someone, call 911 or any local or state law enforcement agency.

3210 Child Abuse Reporting, Compliance and Monitoring

Revision 25-1; Effective Feb. 24, 2025

Contractors are required to develop policies and procedures that comply with the child abuse as reporting guidelines and requirements in Chapter 261 of the Texas Family Code.

Contractors must develop an internal policy specific to:

  • how child abuse reporting requirements will be implemented throughout their agency;
  • how staff will be trained; and
  • how internal monitoring will be done to ensure timely reporting.

During Quality Assurance (QA) monitoring, the following procedures will be used to evaluate compliance:

  • The contractor's process to make sure staff is reporting child abuse as required by Chapter 261. To verify compliance, contract monitors will review that the contractor:
    • has an internal policy which details how the contractor will determine, document, report and track instances of abuse, sexual or non-sexual, for all persons younger than 17 in compliance with Chapter 261;
    • follows their internal policy; and
    • has documented staff training on child abuse reporting requirements and procedures.
  • The contractor’s internal policy must clearly describe the reporting process for child abuse.

Additional information for abuse reporting: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

3220 Human Trafficking

Revision 25-1; Effective Feb. 24, 2025

HHSC mandates that contractors comply with state laws that govern the reporting of abuse and neglect. Contractors also must comply with all applicable federal laws and anti-trafficking laws. This includes the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, 22 USC Section 7101, et seq.

Contractors must have a written policy on human trafficking which includes the provision of annual staff training.

References for human trafficking policy development:

3230 Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence

Revision 25-1; Effective Feb. 24, 2025

Intimate partner violence (IPV) describes physical, sexual or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. This type of violence can occur among heterosexual or same sex couples and does not require sexual intimacy.

Contractors must have a written policy related to assessment and prevention of domestic and IPV, including the provision of annual staff training.

Additional information on IPV is on the CDC website.