SB 571 Misconduct Reporting Training and Pre-Employment Affidavit

Overview

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released new tools to support Texas school systems in preventing, identifying and reporting abuse. These resources include:

• A training module that meets legal requirements for staff education on abuse prevention and recognition
• A required Pre-Employment Affidavit form that school systems must use when hiring to help ensure student safety

Training

All new school employees, and any current staff who haven’t yet received training, must be trained to:

• Recognize and prevent sexual abuse, trafficking and other types of maltreatment
• Understand special considerations for students with significant cognitive disabilities 

Due to recent changes in the law, TEA recommends that all staff complete updated training—even if they’ve been trained before.

TEA offers a free training module on the TEA Learn platform that meets legal requirements: 

• Course Public Link: Staff and Superintendent Abuse and Misconduct Reporting Requirements Learning Course
• Course Enrollment Link: Enroll in the Staff and Superintendent Abuse and Misconduct Reporting Requirements Learning Course
• Helpdesk Article for Registration and Enrollment: How do I enroll in a course offered through TEA Learn 

School systems may choose any training program that meets the requirements of Tex. Educ. Code § 38.004 and § 38.0041.

Pre-Employment Affidavit

Under Texas law (TEC §22A.055), anyone applying to work in a public school or as a service provider must:

• Agree to release their employment records
• Submit a signed affidavit approved by TEA that discloses if they have ever:
  • Been investigated, charged, or convicted for conduct listed in Section 22A.051
  • Been investigated by a licensing agency or had a professional license, certificate, or permit denied, suspended, revoked, or disciplined in Texas or any other state
  • Been listed in the Do Not Hire Registry
  • Worked for a public or private school as a service provider
  • Been fired or resigned in lieu of resignation from a school 

TEA’s approved affidavit form is attached and available on the Pre-Employment Affidavit for Educators webpage.

Additional Resources

You can find more information on these TEA webpages:

• Educators’ Duty to Protect Students
• Child Abuse Prevention Overview
• Educator Misconduct and Investigations
• Investigations

TEA also provides guidance documents for:

• Using the Do Not Hire Registry 
• Understanding the Fingerprinting Process 

Questions?

For legal questions, contact your district’s legal counsel.

For other questions, email generalinquiry@tea.texas.gov.