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Texas Child Abuse Laws
More Information on Child Abuse Laws
| Code Section | Family 261.001 et seq. |
| What Constitutes Abuse | Inflicting or failing to reasonably prevent others from inflicting mental or emotional injury impairing child's growth, development, or psychological functioning; physical injury resulting in substantial harm, or which is at variance with explanation given; sexual abuse, exploitation, use of controlled substance resulting in mental or physical harm to child |
| Mandatory Reporting Required By | "Professionals" including teachers, nurses, doctors, day care employees, employees of state-licensed or certified organizations with direct contact with children, clergy, mental health professional, attorney, reproductive health clinic worker, any person |
| Basis of Report of Abuse/neglect | Having cause to believe that a child's physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be adversely affected by abuse or neglect |
| To Whom Reported | Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services |
| Penalty for Failure to Report or False Reporting | Class B misdemeanor Physical injury resulting in substantial harm; mental or emotional injury; failure to prevent injury; harmful sexual conduct or pornography; failure to prevent use of controlled substance by child False report: Class A misdemeanor |
Note: State laws are constantly changing -- contact an attorney or conduct your own legal research to verify the state law(s) you are researching.
Research the Law:
- Official State Codes - Links to the official online statutes (laws) in all 50 states and DC.
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