2013 -- H 5657

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LC01769

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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2013

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A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - CURRICULUM

     Introduced By: Representatives Johnston, O`Neill, Messier, Hull, and Guthrie

     Date Introduced: February 27, 2013

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Legislative findings and intent. The legislature finds and declares that child

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sexual abuse, estimated to affect up to one in four (4) girls and up to one in six (6) boys, poses a

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grave threat to the health and safety of young people and its damaging effects can last a lifetime.

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     The legislature also finds and declares that child sexual exploitation, including the use of

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children in pornography and prostitution, and child abduction poses a similar threat to the health

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and safety of young people, and puts child victims at grave risk of death or severe bodily harm.

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     The legislature also finds and declares that the incidence of child sexual abuse, child

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sexual exploitation and child abduction can be reduced by raising awareness among young

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children of common dangers and warning signs, empowering children to better protect

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themselves from sexual predators and teaching children how to obtain any necessary assistance or

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services.

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     Therefore, it is hereby declared to be the public policy and in the public interest of this

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state to establish a comprehensive program to provide an age-appropriate course of instruction in

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the prevention of child abduction, child sexual exploitation and child sexual abuse.

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     SECTION 2. Chapter 16-22 of the General Laws entitled "Curriculum" is hereby

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amended by adding thereto the following section:

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     16-22-26. Age appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness education. -- (a)

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Short title. This section shall be known and may be cited as "Erin Merryn's Law."

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     (b) Courses of study in prevention of child abduction, child sexual exploitation, and child

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sexual abuse.

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     (1) All pupils in grades kindergarten through eight (8) in all public schools in the state

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shall receive instruction designed to prevent the abduction, exploitation or sexual abuse of

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children. Such instruction shall be provided by or under the direct supervision of regular

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classroom teachers; provided, however, that such instruction may be provided by any other

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agency, public or private.

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     (2) The department of elementary and secondary education shall develop and prescribe an

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age-appropriate sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention education program. The

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commissioner shall provide technical assistance to assist in the development of curricula for such

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courses of study which shall be age appropriate and developed according to the needs and

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abilities of pupils at successive grade levels in order to provide awareness skills, information,

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self-confidence and support to aid in the prevention of child abduction, child sexual exploitation,

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and child sexual abuse.

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     (c) Incorporation of courses by school committees. The school committees of the several

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cities, towns, and school districts shall provide for the incorporation of the course in training in

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existing health education courses.

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     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC01769

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION - CURRICULUM

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     This act would provide for courses of study for pupils in grades kindergarten through 8 to

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prevent child abduction, child sexual exploitation, and abuse.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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LC01769

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