Bill > S295

This bill, the Comprehensive Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Act of 2017, aims to prevent the sexual abuse of children and youth through several key provisions: 1. It requires annual training for employees, contractors, and volunteers in schools, state-operated/licensed programs, and youth-serving organizations on recognizing, responding to, and reporting child sexual abuse. 2. It mandates age-appropriate education for students on recognizing boundary-violating behaviors, developing healthy relationships, and reporting concerns about sexual abuse. 3. It establishes new hiring requirements for schools and contractors, including obtaining employment history and checking for prior investigations or disciplinary actions related to abuse or sexual misconduct. 4. It expands the list of mandated reporters required to report suspected child abuse under state law. 5. It provides legal protections for employers who disclose information about a former employee's job performance and professional conduct to a prospective employer. 6. It grants the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education additional authority to investigate and take disciplinary action against educators for violations of the act. The bill is intended to create a comprehensive system of prevention, education, and accountability to protect children from sexual abuse in schools, youth programs, and other settings.

Education

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/S295