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What is reportable conduct?

Reportable conduct is defined in Chapter 810 of the Texas Health and Safety Code as a participating state agency ’s determination that an individual engaged in abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misconduct, and for which the agency has:

  • provided any required notice or opportunity to contest the determination; and
  • issued a final determination.
What is SEMARC?

The Search Engine for Multi-Agency Reportable Conduct (SEMARC) provides a common platform for authorized users to search for information across participating agencies on individuals with a history of reportable conduct. SEMARC results are used to determine an individual’s eligibility for employment, volunteer positions, certification, contracts or licensure with facilities regulated or licensed by participating state agencies.

What is the legal basis for the search engine?

State lawmakers passed Senate Bill (SB) 1849  during the 88th Legislative Session in 2023, which amends the Texas Health and Safety Code by adding Chapter 810.

What agencies collaborate in SEMARC?
  • Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS)
  • Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC)
  • Texas Education Agency (TEA)
  • Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD)
What type of information is available in SEMARC?

Names of individuals who have engaged in reportable conduct, listed in registries from participating agencies, and their employability status in those registries. 
Additionally, SEMARC results include a type or description of the reportable conduct, the date of the final determination, and the agency where results originated from.  

Who can access SEMARC to conduct searches?

Only users authorized by DFPS, HHSC, TEA or TJJD can access SEMARC. An authentication process is required for all users. Some examples of authorized users are HHSC long-term care providers and juvenile probation departments.

How does SEMARC work?

SEMARC users log into the system. After authentication and user agreement steps, users can start a search by entering:

  • First and Last Name, and
  • Date of Birth or Social Security Number, or both.

Users can also upload files for bulk searches.
SEMARC searches for a match of the individual’s name on each of the agency’s registries. Once the search is completed, SEMARC provides one the following results:

  • Found: an agency identified an exact match.
  • Not Found: based on the information provided, no matches were identified in the registries.
  • Potential Match: one or more individuals matching the search criteria were found, and additional information may be needed to confirm the identity.
  • Pending: the agency requires additional time to process the request.
  • Error: there is an issue with either the SEMARC system or the agency data.
What cases are not included in SEMARC?
  • Open investigations.
  • Designated perpetrators who are pending final determination.​
Which state agencies, facilities or organizations are required to check SEMARC to determine eligibility for employment?
  • DFPS
    • Any person who will be employed by, contract with, intern or volunteer with the agency.
  • HHSC long-term care providers
    • Nursing facilities
    • Intermediate care facilities for individuals with an intellectual disability or related condition (ICF/IID)
    • State supported living centers (SSLCs)
    • Assisted living facilities (ALF)
    • Adult foster care facilities
    • Day activity health services (DAHS)
    • Home and community support services agencies (HCSSAs)
    • State hospitals
    • Prescribed pediatric-extended care centers (PPECC)
    • Consumer directed services (CDS)
    • Home and community-based services (HCS)
    • Individualized skills and socialization providers (ISS)
  • HHSC regulatory
    • Residential facility employment
    • Childcare employment
    • Foster care
    • Adoption
  • TEA
    • Public or charter school employees
    • Regional Education Service Centers
  • TJJD
    • Any person who will be employed by, contract with, intern or volunteer with the agency.
    • Juvenile probation departments and local facilities.
Are individuals found in SEMARC automatically banned from being hired as an employee, intern, volunteer, or contractor?

Being found in SEMARC may impact an individual’s employability, certification, contracting opportunities, licensure, or eligibility for volunteer positions. However, each agency retains the authority to make a decision in accordance with its rules, policies, and applicable laws.

How long is a person listed in SEMARC?

SEMARC retrieves results directly from the participating agencies’ registries or lists. How long a person’s name remains in SEMARC depends on each agency’s retention schedule, which is governed by federal and state laws, and its specific policies and regulations.