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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to training for public school educators in the prevention |
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of child abuse. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 21.044, Education Code, is amended to |
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read as follows: |
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Sec. 21.044. EDUCATOR PREPARATION. (a) The board shall |
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propose rules establishing the training requirements a person must |
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accomplish to obtain a certificate, enter an internship, or enter |
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an induction-year program. The board shall specify the minimum |
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academic qualifications required for a certificate. |
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(b) Any minimum academic qualifications for a certificate |
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specified under Subsection (a) that require a person to possess a |
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bachelor's degree must also require that the person receive, as |
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part of the curriculum for that degree, instruction in child abuse |
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awareness and prevention. |
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SECTION 2. Section 38.004, Education Code, is amended by |
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adding Subsections (a-1) and (c) and amending Subsection (b) to |
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read as follows: |
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(a-1) The agency shall maintain on the agency Internet |
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website a list of links to websites that provide information |
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regarding the prevention of child abuse. |
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(b) Each school district shall provide: |
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(1) child abuse antivictimization programs in |
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elementary and secondary schools; and |
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(2) annual training in child abuse prevention for |
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teachers employed by the district. |
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(c) The training required by Subsection (b)(2) may be |
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provided as part of a school district's annual teacher orientation. |
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SECTION 3. Section 21.044(b), Education Code, as added by |
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this Act, applies beginning with persons who commence enrollment in |
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an institution of higher education during the 2007-2008 academic |
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year. |
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SECTION 4. Section 38.004(b), Education Code, as amended by |
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this Act, applies beginning with the 2007-2008 school year. |
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SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives |
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a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as |
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provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this |
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Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this |
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Act takes effect September 1, 2007. |