S.B. No. 2826 proposes the establishment of a comprehensive education-based program aimed at preventing medical child abuse in Texas. This program, referred to as "Alyssa's Law," will be integrated into the training of medical students, healthcare professionals, and child protective services (CPS) caseworkers. The bill mandates the creation of a new subchapter in the Government Code, which outlines the definitions of medical child abuse and the necessary training to identify, report, and prevent such cases. The program will be developed in collaboration with the Texas Medical Board and the Department of Family and Protective Services, and it is required to be operational by September 1, 2027.

The bill emphasizes the importance of standardized training protocols that include identifying clinical indicators of medical child abuse, distinguishing between legitimate medical conditions and fabricated illness claims, and understanding the ethical and legal responsibilities involved in reporting suspected cases. Additionally, it mandates that Texas medical schools incorporate this training into their curricula and that CPS caseworkers receive annual training on investigative protocols and collaboration with medical professionals. The program aims to enhance the accuracy of identifying medical child abuse and ensure that all involved parties are well-equipped to handle such sensitive cases effectively. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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