REFERENCE TITLE: child sexual abuse; task force

State of Arizona Senate Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018

SB 1277

Introduced by Senators Bradley: Otondo; Representative Rios

 

AN ACT

 

establishing The task force on the prevention of sexual abuse of children.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 

Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:

Section 1.  Task force on the prevention of sexual abuse of children; members; model curriculum; report; delayed repeal

A.  The task force on the prevention of sexual abuse of children is established in the department of education for the purpose of creating and implementing a model curriculum for students and teachers on the prevention of sexual abuse of children.  The task force shall additionally develop and establish training guidelines for use by school districts and charter schools in the establishment of sexual abuse prevention education programs.

B.  The task force consists 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.  The director of the department of child safety or the director's designee.

4.  The director of the department of health services or the director's designee.

5.  The superintendent of public instruction or the superintendent's designee.

6.  A representative of a law enforcement organization who is appointed by the director of the department of public safety.

7.  A representative of a statewide professional teachers' organization who is appointed by the superintendent of public instruction.

8.  A representative of a statewide organization that represents school district governing boards who is appointed by the superintendent of public instruction.

C.  The department of education, in collaboration with the department of child safety, the department of health services, the courts and organizations with expertise in child abuse, including child sexual abuse, shall choose or develop a model curriculum on sexual abuse and sexual assault awareness and prevention for students in kindergarten programs and grades one through twelve.

D.  The model curriculum shall meet all of the following requirements:

1.  Be age-appropriate and culturally sensitive.

2.  Include a professional training component for administrators, teachers and other school staff on talking to students about child sexual abuse prevention, the effects of sexual abuse on children, how to handle disclosures of child sexual abuse and mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.

3.  Include a component that encourages parental involvement in child sexual abuse prevention.

4.  Allow school districts and charter schools the flexibility to determine how the curriculum is offered to students.

E.  On or before December 1, 2018, the task force shall submit a written report containing its findings and the adopted model curriculum to the governor, the president of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives.  The task force shall provide a copy of the report to the secretary of state.

F.  This section is repealed from and after September 30, 2019.

Sec. 2.  Short title

This act may be cited as "Jenna's Law".