Relating to the liability of nonprofit entities contracted with the Department of Family and Protective Services or with a single source continuum contractor to provide community-based care or child welfare services.

Contracts

• Employment & Volunteer Agreements: Update all agreements to mandate consent for background checks and registry reviews on a recurring 5-year basis. Make refusal grounds for immediate termination.
• Third-Party Caregiver Contracts: If you subcontract with foster parents or other caregivers, your contracts must mirror these statutory requirements. You are liable for their compliance status.
• Insurance Policies: Verify with your broker that your General and Professional Liability policies meet the specific coverage minimums required by Chapter 84 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code. If coverage lapses or falls below statutory limits, the SB1558 immunity is void.

Hiring/Training

• The "Five-Year" Cycle: You must implement a hard-stop tracking system. Every employee, volunteer, and caregiver must undergo the following at least once every five years:
• 1. State Registry Check: Verification they are not listed as ineligible to supervise children.
• 2. Sexual Abuse Prevention Training: Documented completion of a certified course.
• Pre-Hire Gates: No individual may begin service until the criminal background check and initial registry check are documented.
• Ongoing Training: Mandatory reporting training regarding child abuse and neglect is required for all personnel (recommended annually).

Reporting & Record-Keeping

• The "Compliance File": In litigation, the burden of proof is on the entity. You must maintain an audit-ready file for every individual containing:
• Dated logs/screenshots of Registry Checks (Pre-hire + 5-year intervals).
• Dated certificates of Sexual Abuse Prevention Training.
• Records of criminal background checks.
• Discipline Logs: The law requires "timely and proportionate" action regarding performance deficiencies. You must document *when* a deficiency was identified and *what* specific administrative action was taken.

Fees & Costs

• Operational Costs: Budget for increased administrative time for recurring checks and potential costs for training modules.
• Litigation Costs: While this bill reduces liability judgments, initial legal costs may rise to prove "substantial compliance" in court to invoke the shield.