HB3461 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB102 14613 CMG 19966 b

102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2021 and 2022
HB3461

Introduced 2/22/2021, by Rep. Fred Crespo

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

105 ILCS 5/10-23.13

Amends the School Code. Makes changes to provisions relating to a school district's policy addressing the sexual abuse of children. Provides that the policy must be adopted and implemented by no later than July 1, 2022. Provides that the policy shall (rather than may) include an age-appropriate and evidence-based curriculum (rather than age-appropriate curriculum) for students in pre-K through 12th (rather than 5th) grade. Requires a school district to include in its policy and all training materials and instruction a definition of prohibited grooming behaviors and boundary violations for school personnel and how to report these behaviors to school authorities. Sets forth what the policy must address. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by changing Section 10-23.13 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/10-23.13)

Sec. 10-23.13. Policies addressing sexual abuse.

(a) In this Section, "evidence-informed" refers to modalities that were created utilizing components of evidence-based treatments or curriculums.

(b) To adopt and implement, by no later than July 1, 2022, a policy addressing sexual abuse of children that shall may include an age-appropriate and evidence-informed curriculum for students in pre-K through 12th 5th grade; evidence-informed training for school personnel on child sexual abuse; evidence-informed educational information to parents or guardians provided in the school handbook on the warning signs of a child being abused, along with any needed assistance, referral, or resource information; available counseling and resources for students affected by sexual abuse; and emotional and educational support for a child of abuse to continue to be successful in school. A school district shall include in its policy and all training materials and instruction a definition of prohibited grooming behaviors and boundary violations for school personnel and how to report these behaviors to school authorities.

Any policy adopted under this Section shall may address without limitation:

(1) methods for increasing teacher, student, and parent awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse of children, including awareness and knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse, awareness and knowledge of grooming behaviors and how to report those behaviors to school authorities, and how to prevent child abuse from happening;

(1.5) evidence-informed training for school personnel on preventing, recognizing, reporting, and responding to child sexual abuse and grooming behavior, including, but not limited to, training as outlined in Section 10-22.39;

(2) options actions that a student child who is a victim of sexual abuse has should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and

(3) available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse; .

(4) methods for educating school personnel, students, and staff on how to report child abuse to law enforcement authorities and to the Department of Children and Family Services and how to report grooming behaviors to school authorities; and

(5) education and information about children's advocacy centers and sexual assault centers and information about how to access a children's advocacy center or sexual assault center serving the district.

This Section may be referred to as Erin's Law.

(Source: P.A. 96-1524, eff. 2-14-11.)

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.