Washington State

House of Representatives

Office of Program Research

BILL

ANALYSIS

Education Committee

HB 1869

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Background:

Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor.

A person is guilty of commercial sexual abuse of a minor, a class B felony, if he or she:

pays a fee to a minor or a third person as compensation for a minor having engaged in sexual conduct;
pays or agrees to pay a fee to a minor or a third person pursuant to an understanding that in return therefore such minor will engage in sexual conduct; or
solicits, offers, or requests to engage in sexual conduct with a minor in return for a fee.

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.

A person is guilty of sexual exploitation of a minor, also a class B felony, if he or she:

compels a minor by threat or force to engage in sexually explicit conduct, knowing that such conduct will be photographed or part of a live performance;
aids, invites, employs, authorizes, or causes a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, knowing that such conduct will be photographed in part of a live performance; or
being a parent, legal guardian, or person having custody or control of a minor, permits the minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, knowing that the conduct will be photographed or part of a live performance.

Educational Materials Regarding Sex Offenses, Sex Offenders, and Victims of Sexual Assault.

In 2006, the Legislature required that the Washington Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs (Coalition), in consultation with the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys (WAPA), and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) develop educational materials to inform parents and community members about:

the laws related to sex offenses;
how to recognize behaviors characteristic of sex offenses and sex offenders;
how to prevent victimization, particularly of young children;
how to take advantage of community resources for victims of sexual assault; and
other appropriate information.

Summary of Bill:

The OSPI will develop and implement a training program for all school employees regarding prevention of sexual abuse, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor, subject to available funding. The training will include materials and teaching techniques. The OSPI will develop the training in coordination with school districts, the Center for Children and Youth Justice (CCYJ), YouthCare, the Committee for Children, the Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA), the Department of Early Learning (DEL), the Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), and other interested parties. The training will be developed by June 1, 2014 and implemented by June 1, 2015.

The educational materials regarding sex offenses, sex offenders and victims of sexual assault developed by the Coalition are expanded to include how to prevent children from being recruited into sex trafficking. These materials must be updated by June 1, 2014. The organizations that the Coalition consults with to update these materials are increased, to include the WSSDA, the CCYJ, YouthCare, the Committee for Children, DEL, DSHS, and other relevant organizations.

The training for certificated and classified school employees regarding sexual or physical abuse reporting requirements may be incorporated within existing training programs.