85R10916 MK-F
By: González of El Paso H.B. No. 1869
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to training for employees of school districts and
open-enrollment charter schools on the prevention of sexual abuse
and other maltreatment of certain children.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 38.0041(c), Education Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(c) The methods under Subsection (b)(1) for increasing
awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse and other maltreatment
of children must include training, as provided by this subsection,
concerning prevention techniques for and recognition of sexual
abuse and all other maltreatment of children, including the sexual
abuse and other maltreatment of children with significant cognitive
disabilities in both educational and noneducational settings. The
training:
(1) must be provided, as part of a new employee
orientation, to all new school district and open-enrollment charter
school employees and to existing district and open-enrollment
charter school employees on a schedule adopted by the agency by rule
until all district and open-enrollment charter school employees
have taken the training; and
(2) must include training concerning:
(A) factors indicating a child is at risk for
sexual abuse or other maltreatment;
(B) likely warning signs indicating a child may
be a victim of sexual abuse or other maltreatment;
(C) internal procedures for seeking assistance
for a child who is at risk for sexual abuse or other maltreatment,
including referral to a school counselor, a social worker, or
another mental health professional;
(D) techniques for reducing a child's risk of
sexual abuse or other maltreatment; and
(E) community organizations that have relevant
existing research-based programs that are able to provide training
or other education for school district or open-enrollment charter
school staff members, students, and parents.
SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018
school year.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2017.