REFERENCE TITLE: schools; sexual abuse prevention education

 

 

 

 

State of Arizona

Senate

Fifty-fourth Legislature

First Regular Session

2019

 

 

 

SB 1251

 

Introduced by

Senators Steele: Alston, Bowie, Bradley, Contreras, Dalessandro, Gonzales, Mendez, Peshlakai, Quezada, Rios; Representatives Cano, Chávez, Engel, Gabaldón, Hernandez A, Jermaine, Powers Hannley, Rodriguez, Sierra, Teller, Tsosie

 

 

AN ACT

 

AMENDING Title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, by adding section 15-712.02; relating to school curricula.

 

 

(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)

 


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

Section 1.  Title 15, chapter 7, article 1, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended by adding section 15-712.02, to read:

START_STATUTE15-712.02.  Education and training on sexual abuse prevention; students; school employees; posting

A.  Beginning in the 2020-2021 school year, school districts and charter schools shall establish education and training on sexual abuse prevention for employees and students in accordance with guidelines and curricula developed by the department of education.

B.  The education and training established pursuant to this section shall include annual age-appropriate, research–based child sexual abuse prevention training designed to promote self-protection and prevent the sexual abuse of children.

C.  Each school district and charter school may choose the delivery method of the education and training prescribed in this section for employees and students.

D.  School districts and charter schools shall ensure that each student who is enrolled in the school district or charter school attends the education and training each year and shall provide at least two opportunities each year for students to attend the education and training required during that year.

E.  Training on prevention techniques for and recognition of sexual abuse and all other maltreatment of children and procedures for seeking assistance for a child who is at risk for sexual abuse or other maltreatment, including referral to a school counselor, social worker or other mental health professional, shall be provided as part of a new employee's orientation, for all new school district and charter school employees and to existing employees on a schedule adopted by the school district or charter school.  Teachers and administrators who have received prevention training on issues concerning child abuse pursuant to section 15-218 are exempt from the requirements of this subsection.

F.  Each school district and charter school shall include a description of the education and training prescribed by this section either in an informational handbook or on the school district's or charter school's website.

G.  Each public school shall post, in a clearly visible location in a public area of that school that is readily accessible to students, a sign that contains the toll-free telephone number operated by the department of child safety to receive reports of child abuse or neglect.

H.  This section does not require sex education instruction. END_STATUTE

Sec. 2.  Short title

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