ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ

SB 571 Misconduct Reporting Training and Pre-Employment Affidavit

Overview

The ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ (ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ) 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, ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ recommends that all staff complete updated training—even if they’ve been trained before.

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ offers a free training module on the ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ Learn platform that meets legal requirements: 

• Course Public Link:
• Course Enrollment Link:
• Helpdesk Article for Registration and Enrollment:

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 ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ 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 

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ’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 ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ webpages:

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

ÁñÁ«ÊÓÆÁ 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.