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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to training for employees of school districts and |
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open-enrollment charter schools on the prevention of sexual abuse, |
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sex trafficking, and other maltreatment of certain children. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Section 38.0041(c), Education Code, is amended |
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to read as follows: |
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(c) The methods under Subsection (b)(1) for increasing |
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awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and |
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other maltreatment of children must include training, as provided |
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by this subsection, concerning prevention techniques for and |
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recognition of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and all other |
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maltreatment of children, including the sexual abuse, sex |
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trafficking, and other maltreatment of children with significant |
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cognitive disabilities in both educational and noneducational |
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settings. The training: |
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(1) must be provided, as part of a new employee |
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orientation, to all new school district and open-enrollment charter |
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school employees and to existing district and open-enrollment |
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charter school employees on a schedule adopted by the agency by rule |
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until all district and open-enrollment charter school employees |
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have taken the training; and |
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(2) must include training concerning: |
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(A) factors indicating a child is at risk for |
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sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other maltreatment; |
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(B) likely warning signs indicating a child may |
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be a victim of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other |
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maltreatment; |
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(C) internal procedures for seeking assistance |
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for a child who is at risk for sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or |
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other maltreatment, including referral to a school counselor, a |
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social worker, or another mental health professional; |
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(D) techniques for reducing a child's risk of |
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sexual abuse, sex trafficking, or other maltreatment; and |
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(E) community organizations that have relevant |
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existing research-based programs that are able to provide training |
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or other education for school district or open-enrollment charter |
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school staff members, students, and parents. |
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SECTION 2. This Act applies beginning with the 2019-2020 |
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school year. |
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SECTION 3. 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, 2019. |