HF 2807

as introduced - 87th Legislature (2011 - 2012) Posted on 04/17/2012 09:52am

A bill for an act
relating to education; requiring school district policies to address child sexual
abuse; establishing an advisory task force on preventing child sexual abuse;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [121A.24] ERIN'S LAW; SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICY TO ADDRESS
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Citation. new text end

new text begin This section may be cited as "Erin's Law."
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin District policy to address child sexual abuse. new text end

new text begin School districts must adopt
and implement a policy to prevent and address child sexual abuse. The policy may include:
new text end

new text begin (1) age-appropriate curriculum for children in prekindergarten through grade 5;
new text end

new text begin (2) staff development training on child sexual abuse;
new text end

new text begin (3) parent information on the warning signs of child sexual abuse and available
resources in the student handbook;
new text end

new text begin (4) counseling and other assistance for children affected by sexual abuse;
new text end

new text begin (5) emotional and educational support for an abused child to succeed in school;
new text end

new text begin (6) methods to increase teacher, student, and parent awareness of child sexual abuse,
including likely warning signs that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse;
new text end

new text begin (7) actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain
assistance and intervention; and
new text end

new text begin (8) counseling options available to children affected by sexual abuse.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective for the 2012-2013 school year and
later.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin ADVISORY TASK FORCE ON PREVENTING CHILD SEXUAL
ABUSE.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Creation; membership. new text end

new text begin An advisory task force on preventing child
sexual abuse is established to recommend to the legislature how to reduce child sexual
abuse throughout Minnesota. The task force includes the following members:
new text end

new text begin (1) one member of the majority party and one member of the minority party who
serve on a committee having jurisdiction over criminal justice and one public member,
appointed by the speaker of the house;
new text end

new text begin (2) one member of the majority party and one member of the minority party who
serve on a committee having jurisdiction over criminal justice and one public member
appointed by the Subcommittee on Committees of the senate Committee on Rules and
Administration;
new text end

new text begin (3) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (4) the commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (5) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (6) the commissioner of public safety or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (7) a representative of Education Minnesota, appointed by that organization;
new text end

new text begin (8) a representative of the Minnesota Elementary School Principals Association,
appointed by that organization;
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new text begin (9) a representative of the Minnesota School Boards Association, appointed by
that organization; and
new text end

new text begin (10) a representative of the Minnesota Chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America,
appointed by that organization.
new text end

new text begin Members appointed to the task force must be actively interested in child welfare or
preventing child abuse and neglect.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Procedures. new text end

new text begin The advisory task force shall adopt procedures to govern its
conduct and shall select a chair from among its members. The task force shall meet at
the call of the chair. Task force members serve without compensation and shall not be
reimbursed for their expenses.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The advisory task force must recommend to the commissioner
of education and the legislature how schools under Minnesota Statutes, section 121A.24,
and other circumstances can help reduce child sexual abuse in Minnesota. The
recommendations may include specific statutory changes and other changes to foster
cooperation between schools and state and local agencies and governments. In developing
its recommendations, the advisory task force at least must:
new text end

new text begin (1) gather information about child sex abuse throughout Minnesota;
new text end

new text begin (2) receive reports and testimony from individuals, schools, state and local agencies,
community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations actively
interested in child welfare or preventing child abuse and neglect; and
new text end

new text begin (3) identify goals for a state policy to prevent child sexual abuse.
new text end

new text begin (b) The commissioners of education, human services, health, and public safety must
assist the advisory task force upon request.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Report. new text end

new text begin The advisory task force must submit its recommendations in
writing to the education commissioner and the education and criminal justice committees
in the legislature by February 15, 2013.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin The task force expires on February 16, 2013.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end