TX SB85

Establishes a tiered severity code system for substantiated child abuse/neglect findings: "Low" (no registry listing), "Moderate" (5-year listing), "Serious" (15-year listing), "Severe" (15-30 years depending on circumstances), and "Near Fatal" or "Fatal" (99-year listing)

Creates an expungement review panel composed of department employees and a public member to hear requests from individuals seeking removal from the central registry, with hearings required within 60 days of request

Requires persons to wait at least 3 years after a finding before requesting registry removal, and prohibits expungement requests for cases involving child fatalities/near fatalities, parental rights termination, or subsequent abuse findings

Mandates automatic removal from the registry for individuals who were minors at the time of the finding, after 2 years have passed with no subsequent findings, juvenile adjudications, or criminal convictions for child abuse

Requires written notice to individuals before adding them to the registry, explaining what the registry is and consequences including impacts on employment, licensing, and contact with children