ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Fifty-seventh Legislature First Regular Session

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HB 2797: schools; sexual abuse prevention program.

Sponsor: Representative Gress, LD 4

Committee on Education

Overview

Instructs the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) and the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) to identify or develop a statewide child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention program (program) for use in each public school.

History

Each school district governing board and charter school governing body must prescribe policies for school personnel to report any specified suspected crimes, conduct or threats to local law enforcement, including a suspected crime against a person that is a serious offense or conduct that poses a threat of death or serious physical injury to an employee, student or other person. Statute details the offenses that constitute a serious offense, which include sexual assault, any dangerous crime against children, sexual conduct with a minor under 15 years old and child sex trafficking (A.R.S. §§ 13-706 and 15-153).

Each public school must post, in a clearly visible location in a public area of the school that is readily accessible to students, a sign that contains: 1) the telephone number of the Arizona Child Abuse Hotline; 2) instructions to call 911 for emergencies; and 3) directions for accessing the DCS website for more information on reporting child abuse, neglect and exploitation (A.R.S. § 15-160.01). 

Provisions

1. Requires DCS, in collaboration with ADE and by July 1, 2026, to identify or develop a program for use in each public school that includes:

a) instructional modules for teachers;

b) age-appropriate educational materials designed for children in kindergarten and the 1st-12th grades regarding child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention for students; and

c) a uniform child sexual abuse and assault response policy and reporting procedure. (Sec. 1)

2. Details the instructional modules for teachers may include:

a) training regarding child sexual abuse and assault prevention, identification and response; and

b) resources to further student, teacher and parental awareness regarding child sexual abuse and assault and its prevention. (Sec. 1)

3. Specifies the age-appropriate educational materials for students may include:

a) skills to recognize child sexual abuse and assault, boundary violations and unwanted forms of contact; and

b) strategies to promote disclosure, reduce self-blame and mobilize bystanders. (Sec. 1)

4. States the uniform child sexual abuse and assault response policy and reporting procedure may include:

a) actions that child sexual abuse and assault victims may take for assistance;

b) intervention and counseling options for child sexual abuse and assault victims;

c) access to educational resources to enable child sexual abuse and assault victims to succeed in school; and

d) uniform procedures for reporting instances of child sexual abuse and assault to school staff. (Sec. 1)

5. Requires each public school to implement the program by October 1, 2026. (Sec. 1)

6. Prohibits a local or regional board of education from requiring a student in kindergarten or the 1st-12th grades to participate in a public school program. (Sec. 1)

7. Exempts a student from participating in any portion of a public school program upon written notification from the student's parent or guardian. (Sec. 1)

8. Entitles this legislation as Erin's Law. (Sec. 2)

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12.                   HB 2797

13. Initials CH           Page 0 Education

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