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REFERENCE TITLE: schools; child sexual abuse policies |
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State of Arizona Senate Fifty-second Legislature First Regular Session 2015
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SB 1415 |
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Introduced by Senator McGuire
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AN ACT
amending Title 15, chapter 1, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-158; relating to child safety.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Title 15, chapter 1, article 5, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-158, to read:
15-158. Sexual abuse of children; policies and procedures; civil immunity
A. A school district governing board or charter school governing body shall adopt policies and procedures to address sexual abuse of children.
B. The policies and procedures may include the following components:
1. Age-appropriate curricula for pupils in preschool programs, kindergarten programs and grades one through five.
2. Training for school personnel on recognizing and addressing sexual abuse of children.
3. Educational information to parents that is provided in a school handbook on the warning signs of a child who has been sexually abused and a description of assistance, referral and resource information.
4. Counseling and resources for pupils who are affected by sexual abuse.
5. Emotional and educational support for a child who has been sexually abused to continue to be successful in school.
6. Methods for increasing teacher, pupil and parent awareness of issues regarding the sexual abuse of children, including knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse.
7. Recommendations of actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance and intervention.
Sec. 2. Task force on the prevention of sexual abuse of children; duties; report; delayed repeal
A. The task force on the prevention of sexual abuse of children is established in the department of child safety consisting of the following members:
1. Two members of the senate, one of whom is appointed by the president of the senate and one of whom is appointed by the minority leader of the senate.
2. Two members of the house of representatives, one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom is appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
3. Four members of the public, one of whom is appointed by the president of the senate, one of whom is appointed by the minority leader of the senate, one of whom is appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and one of whom is appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
4. The director of the department of child safety or the director's designee.
5. The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee.
6. The director of the department of health services or the director's designee.
7. A representative of an agency that leads the collaboration of the investigation, prosecution and treatment of child sexual and physical abuse cases who is appointed by the director of the department of child safety.
8. A representative of a law enforcement organization who is appointed by the director of the department of public safety.
9. A representative of a statewide professional teachers' organization who is appointed by the governor.
10. A representative of an organization involved in the prevention of child abuse in this state who is appointed by the director of the department of child safety.
11. A representative of a statewide organization that represents school district governing boards who is appointed by the superintendent of public instruction.
B. The task force shall elect a chairperson. The task force shall meet at the call of the chairperson.
C. The task force shall make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in this state. In making those recommendations, the task force shall:
1. Gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout this state.
2. Receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local agencies, community-based organizations and other public and private organizations.
3. Make recommendations, including methods to foster cooperation between state agencies and local government and any proposed statutory changes, to improve the prevention of child sexual abuse in this state.
4. Submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives on or before December 15, 2016 and provide a copy of this report to the secretary of state.
D. The task force shall consult with employees of the department of child safety, the department of public safety, the department of education and any other state agency or department as necessary to accomplish its duties under this section.
E. Members of the task force are not eligible for compensation or reimbursement of expenses.
F. This section is repealed from and after December 31, 2016.
Sec. 3. Short title
This act may be cited as "Erin's Law".