SENATE BILL REPORT
SJM 8006
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. |
As Reported by Senate Committee On:
Early Learning & K-12 Education, February 12, 2015
Brief Description: Requesting Congress, the President, and the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice to take action to implement the recommendations of the Government Accountability Office concerning efforts to prevent and respond to child sexual abuse by school personnel and sexual abuse between peers.
Sponsors: Senators Kohl-Welles, Litzow, McAuliffe, Rolfes, Dammeier, Keiser, Darneille and Frockt.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 2/02/15, 2/12/15 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION |
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Litzow, Chair; Dammeier, Vice Chair; McAuliffe, Ranking Member; Billig, Fain, Mullet, Rivers and Rolfes.
Staff: Ailey Kato (786-7434)
Background: In 2014 the United States Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report titled "Federal Agencies Can Better Support State Efforts to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Abuse by School Personnel." The report recommended that the United States Department of Education collaborate with the United States Departments of Health and Human Services and Justice to compile and disseminate information to states; identify a way to track the prevalence of sexual abuse; and clarify and disseminate information on how Title IX applies to personnel-to-student sexual abuse in the K–12 setting. Since the report, the Department of Education has implemented the recommendation to clarify and disseminate information on how Title IX applies to personnel-to-student sexual abuse in the K–12 setting.
Summary of Bill: A memorial must be sent to the President of the United States, President of the Senate, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Senate and House of Representatives, Secretary of the Department of Education, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, United States Attorney General, and the United States GAO.
The memorial asks Congress, the President, and the departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Justice to take action to support and implement the recommendations of the GAO to address personnel-to-student sexual abuse and to continue to address peer-to-peer sexual abuse.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: The President, Congress, and federal agencies should also look at sexual abuse and harassment among peers.
Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Kohl-Welles, prime sponsor.