BILL REQ. #:  S-1250.2 

READ FIRST TIME 02/22/13.   

     AN ACT Relating to training school employees in the prevention of sexual abuse; amending RCW 28A.300.145 and 28A.400.317; adding a new section to chapter 28A.345 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that when teachers and school staff are trained in identifying and preventing child sexual abuse, commercial sexual abuse of minors, and sexual exploitation of minors, students benefit.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28A.345 RCW to read as follows:
     The Washington state school directors' association shall develop a model training guide and supporting materials for all school employees regarding prevention and identification of sexual abuse; commercial sexual abuse of a minor, as defined in RCW 9.68A.100; and sexual exploitation of a minor, as defined in RCW 9.68A.040. The Washington state school directors' association may consult with organizations or individuals who have expertise in prevention and identification of sexual abuse, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor, when developing the model training guide and supporting materials. The model training guide shall at least partially be based on techniques for imparting these skills to students. The Washington state school directors' association shall develop and make available the model training guide and supporting materials on its web site by June 1, 2014. School districts are required to provide notice to all school employees of the model training guide and supporting materials, once they are posted on the school directors' association's web site.

Sec. 3   RCW 28A.300.145 and 2006 c 135 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The Washington coalition of sexual assault programs, in consultation with the Washington association of sheriffs and police chiefs, the Washington association of prosecuting attorneys, the Washington state school directors' association, the association of Washington school principals, the center for children and youth justice, youthcare, the committee for children, the department of early learning, the department of social and health services, the office of crime victims advocacy, other relevant organizations, and the office of the superintendent of public instruction, shall ((develop)) by June 1, 2014, update existing educational materials ((to be)) made available throughout the state to inform parents and other interested community members about:
     (1) The laws related to sex offenses, including registration, community notification(([,])), and the classification of sex offenders based on an assessment of the risk of reoffending;
     (2) How to recognize behaviors characteristic of sex offenses and sex offenders;
     (3) How to prevent victimization, particularly that of young children;
     (4) How to take advantage of community resources for victims of sexual assault; ((and))
     (5) How to prevent children from being recruited into sex trafficking; and
     (6) Other information as deemed appropriate.

Sec. 4   RCW 28A.400.317 and 2004 c 135 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) A certificated or classified school employee who has knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that a student has been a victim of physical abuse or sexual misconduct by another school employee, shall report such abuse or misconduct to the appropriate school administrator. The school administrator shall cause a report to be made to the proper law enforcement agency if he or she has reasonable cause to believe that the misconduct or abuse has occurred as required under RCW 26.44.030. During the process of making a reasonable cause determination, the school administrator shall contact all parties involved in the complaint.
     (2) Certificated and classified school employees shall receive training regarding their reporting obligations under state law in their orientation training when hired and then every three years thereafter. The training required under this subsection ((shall take place)) may be incorporated within existing training programs and related resources.
     (3) Nothing in this section changes any of the duties established under RCW 26.44.030.