Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
ESSB 5563
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. |
Brief Description: Regarding training for school employees in the prevention of sexual abuse.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Early Learning & K-12 Education (originally sponsored by Senators Kohl-Welles, Litzow, Rolfes, Keiser, McAuliffe and Kline).
Brief Summary of Engrossed Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/14/13
Staff: Luke Wickham (786-7146).
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 or 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, the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, and the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, 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:
Two subjects are added to the course on issues of abuse that is required to receive initial certification as a teacher: the identification of commercial sexual abuse of a minor and the identification of sexual exploitation of a minor.
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 Washington State School Directors' Association, the Center for Children and Youth Justice, YouthCare, the Committee for Children, the Department of Early Learning, the Department of Social and Health Services, 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.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Preliminary fiscal note available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.