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Revision 24-2; Effective Sept. 20, 2024
Grantees must comply with state laws that govern the reporting of suspected abuse and neglect of children, adults with disabilities or people 65 years or older. Grantees and providers must develop policies and procedures that follow the reporting guidelines and requirement in Human Resources Code, Chapter 48 which requires suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of an elderly person, a person with a disability or a person receiving services from certain home and community-based providers to be reported.
Reporting an Abuse Emergency
To report an emergency that involves the abuse or neglect of children, adults with disabilities, people 65 years or older, or a person receiving services from certain home and community-based providers, call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 800-252-5400. For cases that pose an imminent threat or danger to the client, call 9-1-1 or any local or state law enforcement agency.
Reporting a Suspicion of Abuse
For situations that do not require immediate investigation and to report suspicions of abuse, neglect and exploitation of children, adults with disabilities, people 65 years or older, or a person receiving services from certain home and community-based providers, use the Department of Family and Protective Services Texas Abuse Hotline.
2210 Human Trafficking
Revision 25-3; Effective Sept. 1, 2025
Grantees must comply with all state and federal anti-trafficking laws, including the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, Texas Occupations Code Sections 116.002 and 116.003. This requires health practitioners to complete an HHS-Approved Human Trafficking Course for every licensure renewal period.
Grantees must display signage about human trafficking in areas where clients and the public can easily see them. This includes lobbies, waiting rooms, front reception desks, and locations where people apply for and receive services.
Grantees must have a written policy on human trafficking, which includes:
- the definition of human trafficking;
- how to identify possible situations of human trafficking;
- the screening tool used to identify possible situations of human trafficking;
- what to do and who to report to if human trafficking is suspected;
- mandatory reporting of suspected child human trafficking;
- victim support resources; and
- annual staff training.
Resources for Human Trafficking Policy Development
- Texas Health and Human Services Human Trafficking Resource Center
- Texas Health and Human Services Health Care Practitioner Training Page
- Human trafficking into and within the United States: A review of the literature on human trafficking in the U.S. for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Resource Library on the National Human Trafficking website
- Rescue and Restore Campaign by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Contains multiple resources for health care providers, social service personnel and law enforcement for identifying and aiding trafficking victims.
- Includes slide presentations for training purposes.
2220 Domestic and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV)
Revision 25-1; Effective Feb. 4, 2025
Intimate partner violence (IPV) describes physical, sexual or psychological harm by a current or former partner or spouse. Per Texas Human Resources Code, Chapter 51, family violence may also include emotional harm and a threat of harm. IPV can exist regardless of the presence of sexual intimacy.
Health care professionals and organizations must adhere to reporting requirements in the Texas Family Code, Chapter 91.
Grantees also must have a written policy about assessment and prevention of domestic and intimate partner violence. The policy must include the provision of annual staff training.