85R11808 MK-F     By: Thompson of Harris H.B. No. 2645       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the development of a program and training for public   schools on the prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and   participation by the human trafficking prevention task force in   that development.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subchapter A, Chapter 28, Education Code, is   amended by adding Section 28.017 to read as follows:          Sec. 28.017.  INSTRUCTION ON PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ABUSE AND   SEX TRAFFICKING. (a)  The commissioner, in cooperation with the   human trafficking prevention task force created under Section   402.035, Government Code, and any other persons the commissioner   considers appropriate, shall develop a sexual abuse and sex   trafficking prevention program that a school district may use in   the district's health curriculum.  The program must include:                (1)  information on the different forms of sexual abuse   and assault, sex trafficking, and risk factors for sex trafficking;                (2)  the procedures for reporting sexual abuse and sex   trafficking or suspected sexual abuse or sex trafficking;                (3)  strategies for sexual abuse and assault prevention   and overcoming peer pressure;                (4)  information on establishing healthy boundaries   for relationships, recognizing potentially abusive or harmful   relationships, and avoiding high-risk activities;                (5)  the recruiting tactics of sex traffickers and peer   recruiters, including recruitment through the Internet;                (6)  the legal aspects of sexual abuse and sex   trafficking under state and federal law; and                (7)  the influence of culture and mass media on   perceptions of sexual abuse and sex trafficking, including   stereotypes and myths about victims and abusers, victim blaming,   and the role of language.          (b)  The program developed under Subsection (a) must   emphasize compassion for victims of sexual abuse or sex trafficking   and the creation of a positive reentry experience for survivors of   sexual abuse or sex trafficking into schools.          SECTION 2.  Section 38.0041, Education Code, is amended by   amending Subsections (a), (b), and (c) and adding Subsection (a-1)   to read as follows:          (a)  Each school district and open-enrollment charter school   shall adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse, sex   trafficking, and other maltreatment of children, to be included in   the district improvement plan under Section 11.252 and any   informational handbook provided to students and parents.          (a-1)  A school district may collaborate with local law   enforcement and outside consultants with expertise in the   prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking to create the policy   required under Subsection (a), and to create a referral protocol   for high-risk students.          (b)  A policy required by this section must address:                (1)  methods for increasing staff, student, and parent   awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and   other maltreatment of children, including prevention techniques   and knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be   a victim of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other maltreatment,   using resources developed by the agency under Section 38.004 or by   the commissioner under Section 28.017;                (2)  actions that a child who is a victim of sexual   abuse, sex trafficking, or other maltreatment should take to obtain   assistance and intervention; and                (3)  available counseling options for students   affected by sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other maltreatment.          (c)  The methods under Subsection (b)(1) for increasing   awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and   other maltreatment of children must include training, as provided   by this subsection, concerning prevention techniques for and   recognition of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and all other   maltreatment of children.  The training:                (1)  must be provided, as part of a new employee   orientation, to all new school district and open-enrollment charter   school employees and to existing district and open-enrollment   charter school employees on a schedule adopted by the agency by rule   until all district and open-enrollment charter school employees   have taken the training; and                (2)  must include training concerning:                      (A)  factors indicating a child is at risk for   sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other maltreatment;                      (B)  likely warning signs indicating a child may   be a victim of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other   maltreatment;                      (C)  internal procedures for seeking assistance   for a child who is at risk for sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or   other maltreatment, including referral to a school counselor, a   social worker, or another mental health professional;                      (D)  techniques for reducing a child's risk of   sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other maltreatment; and                      (E)  community organizations that have relevant   existing research-based programs that are able to provide training   or other education for school district or open-enrollment charter   school staff members, students, and parents.          SECTION 3.  Section 402.035(h), Government Code, is amended   to read as follows:          (h)  This section expires September 1, 2019 [2017].          SECTION 4.  This Act applies beginning with the 2017-2018   school year.          SECTION 5.  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, 2017.