THE SENATE	S.B. NO.	151
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO EDUCATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The Children's Advocacy Centers of Illinois, Illinois Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and Prevent Child Abuse Illinois collaborated to create "Erin's law". Erin Merryn was raped and molested for six and a half years by a neighbor and a family member. Erin began a crusade her senior year of high school in 2004 to end the silence and shame around sexual abuse. Erin's Law has been passed in seven states with more than ten states introducing it. Erin's mission is to shatter the silence and stigma around sexual abuse, and to educate children and empower them to recognize and to report abuse.

The legislature finds that schools fail to give young students awareness and a voice if someone is violating them. Unfortunately without being educated most children will be repeatedly abused for years because often the only message they get comes from their abuser threatening them into silence.

The purpose of this Act is to educate public school students on sexual abuse prevention through an age appropriate curriculum.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part II, subpart B, to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Sexual abuse prevention instructional program; guidelines. (a) The broad guidelines of the sexual abuse prevention instructional program shall be to:

(1) Educate children in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve in public schools on sexual abuse prevention through age appropriate curriculum through role plays, discussions, activities, and books;

(2) Give children the tools to speak up and tell if anyone has ever touched them inappropriately rather than keep it a secret; and

(3) Educate children on safe touch, unsafe touch, safe secrets, and unsafe secrets, how to get away and report an incident immediately.

(b) All public schools shall establish a sexual abuse prevention instructional program for students in grades pre‑kindergarten through twelve, consistent with subsection (a). The content of instruction shall be at the discretion of the board; provided that at minimum, the instruction shall include:

(1) Techniques to teach children to recognize child sexual abuse, equip them with skills to reduce their vulnerability, and encourage them to report the abuse;

(2) At least four sessions of instruction to reinforce the concepts learned in the program;

(3) Sessions conducted at least annually, building on skills learned the previous year;

(4) Developmentally appropriate instruction for each grade level;

(5) Involvement of students as active learning participants, and include discussions, modeling, and role playing;

(6) A capacity to be delivered by a wide range of personnel and professionals, including teachers, school counselors, outside agency prevention educators, and the like; provided that the personnel and professionals should have a thorough knowledge of child sexual abuse, including how to respond appropriately to sexual abuse disclosures;

(7) An evaluation component with measurable outcomes;

(8) Instruction that is culturally sensitive and adaptable for use within varying school contexts, including age, race, and special needs;

(9) An evidence-based curriculum, to the extent possible;

(10) A professional training component for administrators, teachers, and other school personnel on talking to students about child sexual abuse prevention, effects of child sexual abuse on children, handling of sexual abuse disclosures, and mandated reporting; and

(11) A component that encourages parental involvement within the child sexual abuse prevention program. This component should inform parents about child sexual abuse topics, including characteristics of offenders, grooming behaviors, and how to discuss this topic with children."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2015.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________