House Bill 1041 amends the Education Code to require each school district to adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse of children to be included in the district improvement plan and any handbook provided students and parents. Such a policy must address ways to increase awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse of children, including knowledge of likely warning signs that a child may be a sexual abuse victim; actions that such a child victim should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse.

The bill establishes a nine-member task force appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives consisting of individuals who are actively involved in the fields of the prevention of child abuse and neglect and child welfare and who reflect the geographic diversity of the state. The bill requires the task force to establish a strategy for reducing child abuse and neglect and for improving child welfare in Texas and sets forth requirements for the task force in establishing that strategy. The bill requires the task force to consult with employees of the Department of Family and Protective Services, the Department of State Health Services, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as necessary to accomplish its responsibility and authorizes the task force to cooperate as necessary with any other appropriate state agency. The bill requires the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives to appoint the members of the task force not later than October 1, 2009, and requires the task force to submit the strategic plan to the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives not later than November 1, 2010. The task force is abolished and the provisions of this bill expire on September 1, 2011.

House Bill 1041	House Author: Parker et al.
Effective: 6-19-09	Senate Sponsor: West et al.