A person reporting child abuse or neglect must provide listed information if known, and oral reports trigger notice and recording requirements.
Sec. 261.104. CONTENTS OF REPORT; NOTICE. (a) The individual making a report shall identify, if known: (1) the name and address of the child; (2) the name and address of the person responsible for the care, custody, or welfare of the child; (3) the facts that caused the individual to believe the child has been abused or neglected and the source of the information; (4) the individual's name and telephone number; (5) the individual's: (A) home address; or (B) if the individual is a professional as defined by Section 261.101(b), the individual's business address and profession; and (6) any other pertinent information concerning the alleged or suspected abuse or neglect. (b) If the individual making a report of child abuse or neglect uses the toll-free telephone number the department operates for reporting child abuse or neglect and the individual is unwilling to provide the information described by Subsection (a)(4), the department representative receiving the report shall notify the individual that: (1) the department is not authorized to accept an anonymous report of abuse or neglect; (2) the individual may report the abuse or neglect by making a report to a law enforcement agency; and (3) the identity of an individual making a report under this subchapter is confidential and may be disclosed only: (A) as provided by Section 261.201; (B) to a law enforcement officer for the purposes of conducting a criminal investigation of the report; or (C) to the Texas Education Agency or the State Board for Educator Certification, on request by the agency or board, for the purposes of: (i) conducting an investigation of the report; (ii) conducting an investigation of an allegation that a person failed to submit a report as required under this chapter; or (iii) compliance monitoring or conducting an investigation or review of an investigation under Section 22A.156, Education Code. (c) The department representative or other person receiving a report of child abuse or neglect shall use the person's best efforts to obtain the information described by Subsection (a). (d) If a report of abuse or neglect is made orally, the department or law enforcement agency receiving the report shall: (1) notify the individual making the report that: (A) the report is being recorded; and (B) making a false report is a criminal offense under Section 261.107 punishable as a state jail felony or a third degree felony; and (2) make an audio recording of the report. Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 20, Sec. 1, eff. April 20, 1995. Amended by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 751, Sec. 90, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by: Acts 2023, 88th Leg., R.S., Ch. 381 (H.B. 63), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2023. Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1138 (S.B. 571), Sec. 1.32, eff. June 20, 2025.