Texas Family Code 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 § 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 any local or state 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 § 261.201; or
(B) to a law enforcement officer for the purposes of conducting a criminal investigation of the report.
Attorney's Note
Under the Texas Codes, punishments for crimes depend on the classification. In the case of this section:| Class | Prison | Fine |
|---|---|---|
| Third degree felony | between 2 and 10 years | up to $10,000 |
| State jail felony | between 180 days and 2 years | up to $10,000 |
Terms Used In Texas Family Code 261.104
- Person: includes corporation, organization, government or governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, association, and any other legal entity. See Texas Government Code 311.005
(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 local or state 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 § 261.107 punishable as a state jail felony or a third degree felony; and
(2) make an audio recording of the report.