Texas child care safety & emergency drills
Required drills, mandatory reporting, and child-health rules. This page isolates the configured Texas figures, related explanations, and primary source links from the full licensing guide.
Cited to 26 TAC Chapter 746Verified July 2026Summary only, not legal advice
Required emergency drills
- Fire26 TAC §746.5205(1) (Subchapter W, Division 2)Monthly
- Severe weather sheltering26 TAC §746.5205(2) (Subchapter W, Division 2)At least 4 times per calendar year
- Lockdown26 TAC §746.5205(3) (Subchapter W, Division 2)At least 4 times per calendar year
Suspected abuse or neglect must be reported: Any person must report immediately (Tex. Family Code §261.101(a)). A professional, a definition that expressly includes day-care employees, must report no later than the 24th hour after first having reasonable cause to believe, to DFPS or a law enforcement agency, and the duty cannot be delegated (§261.101(b), §261.103(a)). Texas Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400..
- Safe-sleep practices required for infants
- Medication-administration training required
- Children follow the CDC/ACIP immunization schedule; Texas accepts medical and religious exemptions with the required documentation
Citation: 26 TAC Chapter 746
Texas safety & emergency drills FAQ
What background checks does Texas require, and how often?
Under 26 TAC Chapter 745, Subchapter F: a criminal history check (fingerprint-based via Texas DPS and the FBI, or name-based by role), a Central Registry check, a National Sex Offender Registry check, and out-of-state checks for anyone who lived outside Texas in the prior 5 years. Renewals fall due at least every 5 years, or every 2 years for name-based-only subjects. Effective August 31, 2026, a SEMARC check (Search Engine for Multi-Agency Reportable Conduct) is also required.
What emergency drills does Texas require?
Under §746.5205: a fire drill every month, with children able to exit safely within three minutes; a severe-weather sheltering drill at least 4 times per calendar year; and a lockdown drill at least 4 times per calendar year. Each drill is documented with its date, time, and length. Suspected abuse or neglect is reported immediately, and by a professional (day-care employees included) no later than the 24th hour (Tex. Family Code §261.101; Texas Abuse Hotline 1-800-252-5400).
Disclaimer: These figures summarize 26 TAC Chapter 746 and its companion chapters for convenience; confirm current requirements directly with HHSC Child Care Regulation before making licensing decisions. This page is a summary for informational purposes only and is not legal or compliance advice. Confirm with Texas Health and Human Services Commission, Child Care Regulation.