BILL REQ. #:  S-0672.3 

Read first time 02/09/09.   Referred to Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education.

     AN ACT Relating to education programs for the prevention of child abuse in public schools; adding a new section to chapter 28A.300 RCW; creating a new section; and repealing RCW 28A.230.080, 28A.300.150, and 28A.300.160.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the number of children who have been found to be victims of abuse is unacceptable. This victimization often leads adult survivors into struggles with depression, alcohol and drug addiction, and other mental illnesses. There is evidence that indicates effective abuse prevention and personal safety education can be very valuable in efforts to reduce incidents of abuse. The legislature intends to address this issue by establishing guidelines for schools to integrate effective programs that teach students skills to prevent abuse. Furthermore, the legislature intends to involve communities and families in the work of the schools to enhance the efforts to prevent child abuse.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.300 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The office of the superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with professionals in the field of child abuse prevention and interested organizations, shall establish a statewide child abuse prevention program to be incorporated into existing programs at each public school. The child abuse prevention program must:
     (a) Use proven research-based curricula found effective in the prevention of child abuse;
     (b) Be provided to all students in an age-appropriate manner;
     (c) Include peer-to-peer prevention education;
     (d) Assist schools in communications with parents and community members;
     (e) Identify public and private resources that can be of assistance to schools in their prevention efforts; and
     (f) Provide frameworks to schools to engage and partner with community and parents on programs to prevent child abuse.
     (2) School districts shall include in their audits with the office of the superintendent of public instruction a report on the implementation of this section in each school. The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall provide a report of its findings under this section to appropriate committees of the legislature.
     (3) The office of the superintendent of public instruction shall implement and conduct activities under this section using only federal funding provided through the United States department of education for school safety and prevention programs.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The following acts or parts of acts are each repealed:
     (1) RCW 28A.230.080 (Prevention of child abuse and neglect -- Written policy -- Participation in and establishment of programs) and 1990 c 33 s 238 & 1987 c 489 s 6;
     (2) RCW 28A.300.150 (Information on child abuse and neglect prevention curriculum -- Rules) and 2006 c 263 s 705, 1994 c 245 s 8, & 1987 c 489 s 2; and
     (3) RCW 28A.300.160 (Development of coordinated primary prevention program for child abuse and neglect -- Office as lead agency) and 1995 c 399 s 21 & 1987 c 489 s 3.