87R1285 TSS-D
By: West S.B. No. 1109
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to requiring public schools to provide instruction and
materials and adopt policies relating to the prevention of child
abuse, family violence, and dating violence.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as the Christina Blubaugh
Act.
SECTION 2. Section 28.002, Education Code, is amended by
adding Subsection (u) to read as follows:
(u) As part of the essential knowledge and skills for the
health curriculum under Subsection (a)(2)(B), the State Board of
Education shall adopt rules requiring students to receive
instruction on the prevention of child abuse, family violence, and
dating violence at least once in middle or junior high school and at
least twice in high school. The instruction must include
information on:
(1) the dating violence policy adopted by the
student's school district under Section 37.0831;
(2) the prevalence of dating violence and the
recognition of abuse warning signs;
(3) the procedures for reporting violence or abuse;
and
(4) educational materials or resources available to
students under Section 37.0831(c).
SECTION 3. The heading to Section 37.0831, Education Code,
is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 37.0831. DATING VIOLENCE POLICIES; EDUCATIONAL
MATERIALS AND RESOURCES.
SECTION 4. Section 37.0831, Education Code, is amended by
amending Subsection (b) and adding Subsection (c) to read as
follows:
(b) A dating violence policy must:
(1) include:
(A) a definition of dating violence that includes
the intentional use of physical, sexual, verbal, or emotional abuse
by a person to harm, threaten, intimidate, or control another
person in a dating relationship, as defined by Section 71.0021,
Family Code;
(B) a clear statement that dating violence is not
tolerated at school;
(C) reporting procedures and guidelines for
students who are victims of dating violence; and
(D) information regarding the essential
knowledge and skills relating to dating violence required under
Section 28.002(u); and
(2) address safety planning, enforcement of
protective orders, school-based alternatives to protective orders,
training for teachers and administrators, counseling for affected
students, and awareness education for students and parents.
(c) To the extent possible, a school district shall make
available to students:
(1) age-appropriate educational materials that
include information on the dangers of dating violence; and
(2) resources to students seeking help.
SECTION 5. This Act applies beginning with the 2021-2022
school year.
SECTION 6. 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, 2021.