Bill Text: MS SB2222 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

Mississippi Senate Bill 2222 (Prior Session Legislation)

Introduced

Bill Title: Age-appropriate curriculum for students addressing sexual abuse of children (Erin's Law); direct State Board of Education to issue.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Failed) 2012-03-06 - Died In Committee [SB2222 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2012-SB2222-Introduced.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2012 Regular Session

To: Education; Appropriations

By: Senator(s) Collins

Senate Bill 2222

AN ACT TO BE REFERRED TO AS "ERIN'S LAW"; TO AUTHORIZE AND DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT AND PROMULGATE AN AGE-APPROPRIATE CURRICULUM FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-KINDERGARTEN THROUGH FIFTH GRADE ADDRESSING SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE; TO ESTABLISH A TASK FORCE ON THE PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO RECOMMEND LEGISLATION REGARDING COOPERATION AMONG STATE AGENCIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO PREVENT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

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

SECTION 1. (1) Effective with the 2012-2013 school year, the State Board of Education is authorized and directed to adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse of children that shall include age-appropriate curriculum for students in pre-Kindergarten through 5th Grade; training for school personnel on child sexual abuse; 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. The policy adopted may address without limitation:

(a) Methods for increasing teacher, student, and parent awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse of children, including knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse;

(b) Actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and

(2) This section may be referred to as "Erin's Law."

SECTION 2. (1) The Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children is created within the State Department of Human Services. The task force shall consist of all of the following members:

(a) One (1) member of the Legislature and one (1) member of the public, appointed by the Governor.

(b) One (1) member of the Legislature and one (1) member of the public, appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(c) One (1) member of the Legislature and one (1) member of the public, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(d) The Director of Children and Family Services in the Department of Human Services, or his designee.

(e) The State Superintendent of Education, or his designee.

(f) The State Health Officer, or his or her designee.

(g) A representative of an agency that leads the collaboration of the investigation, prosecution, and treatment of child sexual and physical abuse cases, appointed by the Director of Children and Family Services.

(h) A representative of an organization representing law enforcement, appointed by the Commissioner of Public Safety.

(i) A representative of a statewide professional teachers' organization, appointed by the head of that organization.

(j) A representative of an organization involved in the prevention of child abuse in this state, appointed by the Director of Children and Family Services.

(k) A representative of an organization representing school management in this state, appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

Members of the task force must be individuals who are actively involved in the fields of the prevention of child abuse and neglect and child welfare. The appointment of members must reflect the geographic diversity of the state.

(2) The task force shall elect a presiding officer by a majority vote of the membership of the task force. The task force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

(3) The task force shall make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in Mississippi. In making those recommendations, the task force shall:

(a) Gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout the state;

(b) Receive reports and testimony from individuals, state and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations;

(d) Submit a final report with its recommendations to the Office of the Governor and the Legislature by January 1,2013.

(4) Members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual expenses from any available funds. Legislative members may be reimbursed from the Contingent Expense Fund of the respective house at the same rate as attending committee meetings when the Legislature is not in session.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2012.