Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness Requirements and Mandatory Reporting Reminders

There are new requirements concerning human trafficking prevention and awareness added to policy that governs child abuse and neglect reporting, training, and related protocols (TAC § 61.1051), as well as new training requirements for School Boards of Trustees and Superintendents. 

This letter serves as a notification of new requirements and shares resources currently available. Please note that additional information and resources are in development. 

As a reminder, all educators are mandatory reporters who are required to report suspicions of child abuse and neglect, including trafficking of a child, within 48 hours. (Texas Family Code, § 261.101.) As districts navigate both remote and in-person learning environments, it is critical for teachers and school staff to remain vigilant in their identification and reporting of these concerns. 

TEA created a checklist with the Title IV , Part A School Safety Initiative to assist school leaders with understanding these requirements and to identify resources. 

School Board Members: 

• Must receive one hour of training every two years effective May 2020. The effective date of this requirement was moved to January 31, 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• For more information see: TEA COVID-19 SY 20-21 School Board FAQ 
• Training must be provided by a registered provider, authorized provider, or Lone Star Governance (LSG) coach: TEA School Board Trustee Training Webpage. 

Superintendents: 

• Effective September 1, 2019, an individual who holds a superintendent certificate that is renewed on or after January 1, 2021, must complete at least two and a half hours of training every five years on identifying and reporting potential victims of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and other maltreatment of children, in accordance with TEC § 21.054(h). 
• For more information on approved training providers visit Continuing Professional Education. 

Commissioner Rule (TAC § 61.1051) Updates and Reminders: 

• TEA amended the child abuse prevention, mandatory reporting, and training requirements in TAC § 61.1051(d)(1) to include Human Trafficking (effective 11/6/19). 
• Each school district and open-enrollment charter school must adopt and implement policies concerning sexual abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment of children (this includes providing child abuse anti-victimization programs in elementary and secondary schools). 
• Training must be provided to all new school employees and all other staff not previously trained on prevention techniques for, and recognition of, sexual abuse, trafficking, and all other maltreatment of children, including the sexual abuse, trafficking, and other maltreatment of children with significant cognitive disabilities. (*LEAs have discretion on selecting what training(s) are used for this purpose.) 
• All campuses are required to post the Child Abuse Reporting Hotline website and phone number, on an 11” X 17” poster in English and Spanish, in at least one (*more recommended) high-traffic area (e.g. hallway, above a water fountain, gym, locker room, counselor’s office, etc.) at student eye-level. 
• The “No, Go, Tell” poster was developed to meet the requirements above. The poster was recently updated and available for download: TEA No Go Tell Poster- English, TEA No Go Tell Poster- Spanish 
• To learn more about all new rule requirements view: “Unpacking Commissioner Rules on Reporting Child Abuse, or Neglect, Including Trafficking of a Child” (a previously recorded presentation). 

Human Trafficking Prevention Training: 

• Texas Gateway Module - TEA developed a free training module in the Texas Gateway called “Prevention and Awareness of School-Aged Human Trafficking” that can be used in coordination with existing child abuse prevention and mandatory reporting training to meet expanded educator training requirements on Human Trafficking. 
• Webinar Series – A Human Trafficking Prevention and Awareness training series was launched to support Texas schools with learning more about this important issue. Click here for more information about the training series and registration. Previous recordings are available at Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs Division Trainings and Webinars. 
• Title IV School Safety Initiative – Provides information and guidance to ESC’s, LEA’s and parents on human trafficking prevention and awareness. 

Mandatory Reporting Awareness Resources: 

• Texas Department of Family and Protective Services - Report Abuse, Neglect or Exploitation
• COVID-19 FAQ: Child Abuse, Neglect and Human Trafficking, Awareness and Reporting
• TEA Child Abuse Prevention Overview 
• TEA partnered with the Children’s Advocacy Centers (CAC) of Texas to develop a Toolkit for educators to assist with child abuse identification and mandatory reporting responsibilities: 
  • Reporting Suspected Child Abuse, Neglect or Human Trafficking in a Remote Learning Environment (English and Spanish) 
  • A Texas School Employee’s guide to Reporting Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (English and Spanish) 
  • Guidance for Texas School Administrators on Addressing Child Abuse, Neglect and Trafficking (English) 
  • Child Abuse Hotline on an 11” X 17” poster (mentioned above) 

  • **LEAs are encouraged to partner with their local CAC to obtain hardcopies of the toolkit and learn more about the training and prevention resources offered. Visit CAC Find a Local Center to learn more about your local children’s advocacy centers. 

If you have any questions regarding mandatory reporting and human trafficking prevention and awareness requirements, please contact the Division of Highly Mobile and At-Risk Student Programs, PreventingHumanTrafficking@tea.texas.gov, 512-463-9414.