II
114th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 1665
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 24, 2015
Mrs. Gillibrand (for herself, Mr. Heller, and Mrs. Feinstein) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
A BILL
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize local educational agencies and schools to carry out child sexual abuse awareness and prevention programs or activities.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the Child Sexual Abuse Awareness and Prevention Act
.
Child sexual abuse awareness and prevention
Section 5571 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7275) is amended—
in the section heading by inserting child sexual abuse and
after combat
;
in subsection (b)(1)—
in subparagraph (C), by striking and
after the semicolon;
in subparagraph (D), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
by adding at the end the following;
to carry out child sexual abuse awareness and prevention programs or activities.
;
in subsection (c)—
by redesignating paragraph (6) as paragraph (8); and
by inserting after paragraph (5) the following:
To provide age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate instruction for early childhood, elementary school, and secondary school students in child sexual abuse awareness and prevention, including how to recognize child sexual abuse and how to safely report child sexual abuse.
To provide information to parents and guardians of early childhood, elementary school, and secondary school students about child sexual abuse awareness and prevention, including how to recognize child sexual abuse and how to discuss child sexual abuse with a child.
;
in subsection (e), by adding at the end the following:
A description of how the local educational agency will ensure that a program or activity developed or carried out using funds provided under the grant is consistent with the principles of effectiveness described in subsection (f).
; and
by adding at the end the following:
Principles of effectiveness
In general
For a program or activity developed or carried out under this section to meet the principles of effectiveness, such program or activity shall—
be based upon an assessment of objective data regarding the need for programs and activities in the elementary school or secondary school to be served to—
improve school safety and promote students’ physical and mental health and well-being; and
strengthen parent and community engagement to ensure a healthy, safe, and supportive school environment;
be based upon established State requirements and evidence-based criteria aimed at ensuring a healthy, safe, and supportive school environment for students in the elementary school or secondary school that will be served by the program; and
include meaningful and ongoing consultation with and input from teachers, principals, school leaders, and parents in the development of the application and administration of the program or activity.
Periodic evaluation
In general
The program or activity shall undergo a periodic independent, third party evaluation to assess the extent to which the program or activity has helped the local educational agency or school provide students with a healthy, safe, and supportive school environment that promotes school safety and students’ physical and mental health and well-being.
Use of results
The local educational agency shall ensure that the results of the periodic evaluations described under subparagraph (A) are—
used to refine, improve, and strengthen the program or activity, and to refine locally determined criteria described under paragraph (1)(B); and
made available to the public and the State.
Prohibition
Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to authorize the Secretary or any other officer or employee of the Federal Government to mandate, direct, or control, the principles of effectiveness developed or utilized by a local educational agency under this subsection.
.
