From the ECS State Policy Database School Safety--Sexual Harassment

This database is made possible by your state's fiscal support of the Education Commission of the States (ECS). Most entries are legislative, although rules/regulations and executive orders that make substantive changes are included. Every effort is made to collect the latest available version of policies; in some instances, recent changes might not be reflected. For expediency purposes minimal attention has been paid to style (capitalization, punctuation) and format. Please cite use of the database as: Education Commission of the States (ECS) State Policy Database, retrieved [date]. State Status/Date Level Summary MI Signed into law 12/2012 P-12 Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children S.B. 1112 Creates the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. Specified membership requirements.Specified responsibilities of Task F... More... MI Signed into law 12/2012 P-12 Opt-Out from Instruction Regarding Child Sexual Abuse S.B. 1114 Permits a parent or guardian to review and/or excuse his/her child from receiving instruction on child sexual abuse. http://www.legislature... More... CA Signed into law 08/2012 P-12 Child Sexual Abuse Curriculum S.C.R. 73 Encourages districts to include age-appropriate instruction related to child sexual abuse in their curriculum to help pupils understand the ... More... IL Signed into law 08/2012 P-12 High School Course for Preventing Interpersonal, Adolescent Violence (including Dating Violence) H.B. 5689 Creates the Eradicate Domestic Violence Task Force to develop a statewide prevention course for high school students designed to prevent int... More... DE Signed into law 07/2012 P-12 Teen Dating Violence S.B. 206 Requires school districts and charter schools to establish a policy on responding to Teen Dating Violence and Sexual Assault, including guid... More... TX Adopted 07/2012 P-12 Postsec. Campus Programs for Minors 25 TAC 265.401, 402, 403, 404, 405 From Texas Register: Establishes requirements regarding sexual abuse and child molestation training and examination for employees of certain... More... LA Signed into law 06/2012 P-12 Electronic Communication between School Employees and Students H.B. 705 Addresses the reporting of certain electronic communication between employees at public elementary or secondary schools and a student enroll... More... LA Passed 06/2012 P-12 Sexual Harassment Training for Public Agency Employees S.C.R. 107 Authorizes and directs public agencies to provide in-service education and training on sexual harassment for its public servants. http://www... More... VT Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Abuse Reporting S.B. 113 - Section on Reporting Abuse Includes the governing body of each approved or recognized independent school in the requirement to provide comprehensive health education a... More... GA Signed into law 05/2012 P-12 Postsec. Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse H.B. 1176 Existing law includes child service organization personnel among those who must report suspected child abuse. New provision defines "child s... More... FL Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 Postsec. Child Abuse and Child Sexual Abuse H.B. 1355 Revises language concerning child abuse reporting. Requires any person with knowledge or reasonable suspicion of child abuse by person other... More... IA Signed into law 04/2012 P-12 A bill for an act relating to mandatory reporting of school employee misconduct to the board of educational examiners. H.F. 2383 Requires local boards, local or regional superintendents, directors of accredited nonpublic schools, etc. to report any disciplinary action ... More... IA Signed into law 03/2012 Postsec. Child Abuse Reporting. S.F. 2225 An Act relating to child abuse by prohibiting retaliation for reporting, providing for implementation of reporting policies at postsecondary... More... OR Signed into law 03/2012 P-12 Teen Dating Violence. H.B. 4077 Defines teen dating violence; directs each school district board to adopt a policy regarding teen dating violence. Calls for the Oregon Dome... More... OR Signed into law 02/2012 P-12 Child Abuse H.B. 4016 Expands definition of a public/private official for purposes of reporting abuse or sexual abuse to include an employee of a higher education... More... MO Signed into law 10/2011 P-12 Staff/Student Internet Use S.B. 1 Modifies S.B. 54. SCS/SB 1 c[ ][ ] This act modifies provisions relating to communications between school district employees and students.Cu... More... CA Signed into law 10/2011 P-12 Postsec. Gender Expression and Gender Identity A.B. 887 Creates definition of "gender expression" in the Education Code. Adds that a public education is to be offered to all, regardless of gender ... More... CA Signed into law 10/2011 Postsec. Harassment and Bullying; Nondiscrimination; Gender Identity, Gender Expression and Sexual Orientation A.B. 620 From bill summary: Requests the Trustees of the California State University, the Regents of the University of California, and the governing ... More... CA Signed into law 09/2011 P-12 Gender Identity and Gender Expression S.B. 559 Expresses legislative intent that public schools have access to supplemental resources to combat bias on the basis of gender identity and ge... More... TX Signed into law 06/2011 P-12 Unlawful Acts with Students H.B. 1610 Requires a superintendent or director of a school district to complete an investigation of an educator based on reasonable cause to believe ... More... MS Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Teacher License Suspension/Revocation For Sexual Contact H.B. 641 Adds to grounds for revocation or suspension of a teacher or administrative license: (g) The license holder has engaged in unethical conduct... More... VA Signed into law 03/2011 P-12 Family Life Education S.B. 906 Provides that any family life education curriculum offered by a local school division shall require the Standards of Learning objectives rel... More... GA Signed into law 05/2010 P-12 Definition of "Sexual Assault" H.B. 571 Defines "school" and revises definition of "sexual assault" to clarify that one definition is engagement in sexual contact by a teacher, pri... More... CA Signed into law 04/2010 P-12 Postsec. P-12 and Postsecondary Campuses as "Discrimination-Free Zones" A.C.R. 82 Encourages public education institutions to: --Designate each campus as a "Discrimination-Free Zone" to provide a safe haven from intoleran... More... AL Signed into law 02/2010 P-12 Alabama Educator Code of Ethics S.J.R. 9 Provides that after determining the state board's proposed July 2009 amendment to Rule 290-4-1, creating the "Alabama Educator Code of Ethic... More... IL Signed into law 02/2010 P-12 Postsec. Discrimination H.B. 59 Relates to the procedure for filing a complaint with the Director of Human Rights relating to discrimination in employment, credit, public a... More... OH Signed into law 12/2009 P-12 Dating Violence Prevention H.B. 19 - Dating Violence Prevention Enacts the Tina Croucher Act to require school districts to adopt a dating violence prevention policy as part of its policy prohibiting hara... More... IL Adopted 11/2009 P-12 Public Schools Evaluation, Recognition and Supervision 23 IAC 1.20, .30, .100, .240, .420, .465, .480, .510, .737 Partially from "Notice of Adopted Amendments" in Illinois Register (changes from this rulemaking but not listed below are technical in natur... More... IL Signed into law 08/2009 Postsec. Sexual Harassment Laws and Policies H.B. 2573 Requires every institution of higher education to post in a prominent location a poster stating sexual harassment laws and policies. Require... More... IL Signed into law 08/2009 P-12 Teacher Conduct, Licensure Suspension and Revocation S.B. 2071 Provides that it is a state attorney's duty to notify the state superintendent of education, the applicable regional superintendent of schoo... More... IL Signed into law 08/2009 P-12 Teen Dating Violence H.B. 973 Allows the Comprehensive Health Education Program in grades 8-12 to include instruction on teen dating violence. http://www.ilga.gov/legisla... More... AL Adopted 07/2009 P-12 Alabama Educator Code of Ethics 290-4-1 Adds section creating the Alabama Educator Code of Ethics. Identifies nine areas of standards of conduct, including teacher/student relation... More... TX Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Child Sexual Abuse and Child Abuse H.B. 1041 Requires districts to adopt policies regarding sexual abuse of children. Specifies that policies must address methods of increasing parent, ... More... TN Signed into law 06/2009 P-12 Allegations Against Employees H.B. 1210 Prohibits the issuance of an arrest warrant or criminal summons without written approval of the appropriate district attorney general to the... More... AL Pocket veto by governor 05/2009 P-12 Postsec. Community College Convicted Sex Offenders S.B. 137 Restricts the presence of convicted sex offenders on or near certain college or university property. Prohibits a convicted sex offender from... More... IL Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Postsec. Sexual Assault Awareness Education H.B. 3677 Provides that a comprehensive health education program must include sexual assault awareness in secondary schools. Requires universities and... More... NY Signed into law 07/2008 P-12 Revocation of Teaching Certificate A.B. 11500 Provides for the automatic revocation of a teaching certificate held by a teacher convicted of a sex offense; provides for the termination o... More... HI Signed into law 06/2008 P-12 Revocation of Teacher's License S.B. 2080 Allows the state teacher standards board to suspend a teacher's license without a hearing and initiate proceedings to permanently revoke the... More... OR Adopted 06/2008 P-12 Prohibits Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Color OAR 581-021-0045, -0046, -024-0205, -0245, -045-001, -049-0020 Prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and color in schools, programs, services and activities. OREGON 29387... More... AZ Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 Ethics S.B. 1336 Concerns penalty classifications for sexual conduct with a minor when the perpetrator is the minor's school teacher, clergyman, or priest. C... More... GA Signed into law 05/2008 P-12 Inappropriate Behavior by an Educator H.B. 1321 Provides that falsifying, misrepresenting, omitting, or erroneously reporting reports of instances of inappropriate behavior by a teacher, a... More... KS Signed into law 04/2008 P-12 School Safety Violations and Teaching License Issuance/Renewal to Offenders S.B. 470 Repeals definition of "school safety violation." Rewrites provision relating to a student found in possession of a weapon or illegal drug at... More... UT Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 License Revocation for Sexual Offense or Sexually Explicit Conduct H.B. 286 Requires the State Board of Education to permanently revoke an educator's license if the educator commits a sexual offense against a minor o... More... UT Signed into law 03/2008 P-12 License Revocation for Sexual Offense or Sexually Explicit Conduct H.B. 287 Requires the state board of education to revoke an educator's license if the educator commits a sexual offense against a minor or engages in... More... UT Adopted 01/2008 P-12 Educator Standards R277-515 Provides definitions, standards for educators as role models, standards for educators to maintain a safe learning environment, standards for... More... IL Signed into law 09/2007 P-12 Criminal Sexual Offense by an Employee H.B. 3512 Amends the Privacy of Child Victims of Criminal Sexual Offenses Act. Provides that when a criminal sexual offense is committed or alleged to... More... IL Signed into law 08/2007 P-12 Internet Safety Education Act S.B. 1472 Creates the Internet Safety Education Act. Provides that each school may adopt an age-appropriate curriculum for Internet safety instruction... More... IL Signed into law 08/2007 P-12 Sex Offenders' Polling Places H.B. 263 Provides that when a sex offender's precinct polling place is a school and the offender will be unable to enter the school to vote because t... More... IL Amendatory Veto by Governor 08/2007 P-12 Prohibition of Sexual Harassment in K-12 Education H.B. 1268 Amends provisions of the Human Rights Act prohibiting sexual harassment in higher education so that they also apply to sexual harassment in ... More... LA Signed into law 07/2007 P-12 Prohibited Sexual Conduct Between Educator and a Student H.B. 969 Creates the crime of prohibited sexual conduct between an educator and a student who is at least 17 but less than 19; provides that such cri... More... IA Signed into law 05/2007 P-12 Postsec. Community College No Discrimination Based on Gender Identity or Sexual Orientation S.F. 427 Defines "gender identity" and "sexual orientation." Provides that no educational institution (preK through postsecondary) may discriminate o... More... ND Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Prohibits Sexual Offenders Near Schools H.B. 1472 Prohibits sexual offenders from being near public and nonpublic schools and establishes penalties. http://www.legis.nd.gov/assembly/60-2007/... More... IA Signed into law 04/2007 P-12 Human Growth and Development Curriculum H.F. 611 Defines "age-appropriate" and "research-based." Directs the department of education to develop age-appropriate and research-based materials ... More... UT Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Sex Offenders Prohibited On Schools, Pre-schools & Day Care Facilities H.B. 375 Prohibits sex offenders from being in specified protected areas, which include a public or private primary or secondary school that is not o... More... VA Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Requires School Contractors Verify Employee Sex Offender Status H.B. 1707, S.B. 1346 Provides that as a condition of awarding a contract for the provision of services that require the contractor or his employees to have direc... More... VA Signed into law 03/2007 P-12 Sex Offenders Prohibited On School Property H.B. 2344, S.B. 927 Provides that an adult who has been convicted of a sexually violent offense is guilty of a Class 6 felony if he enters or is present on, dur... More... WV Signed into law 07/2006 P-12 Child Abuse Prevention Programs & Background Checks H.B. 101A Relates to the Child Protection Act with provisions requiring county boards of education, to the extent funds are provided, to establish pro... More... IL Signed into law 07/2006 P-12 Failure to Disclose Sex Offense S.B. 859 Amends the Teacher Certification Article of the School Code. Includes as unprofessional conduct for which a certificate may be suspended the... More... LA Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Background Checks H.B. 1082 Requires local boards, prior to hiring any employee, to sign sign a statement that: (1) Provides procedures for the disclosure of informat... More... IL Signed into law 06/2006 P-12 Sex Offenders H.B. 5249 Amends the Criminal Code. Prohibits a child sex offender to knowingly operate, manage, be employed by, volunteer at, be associated with, or ... More... TN Signed into law 05/2006 Postsec. Student Safety Courses at Higher Education Institutions S.B. 3112; H.B. 3250 Requires students attending state-supported postsecondary institutions to take a course on hate crimes, sexual harassment, sexual battery, a... More... TN Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Sexual Violence Awareness Program S.B. 595; H.B. 0374 Concerns Education, Curriculum; requires local education agencies to implement sexual violence awareness and prevention education for high s... More... LA Signed into law 05/2006 P-12 Sex Offenders on School Property H.B. 882 Defines acts that constitute the crime of unlawful residence or presence of a sex offender. Acts include: (1) The physical presence of the... More... VA Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Definition of Abused Child H.B. 1066 Adds to definition of "abused or neglected child" to include a child whose parents or other person responsible for his care creates a substa... More... VA Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Sex Offenders H.B. 846 Provides that every adult who has been convicted of certain sex offenses occurring on or after July 1, 2006, where the victim is 13 or young... More... ID Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Sex Offenders H.B. 713 Adds to existing law to prohibit access to school children by any person currently registered or required to register under the Idaho Sex Of... More... WI Signed into law 04/2006 P-12 Sexual Assault S.B. 349 Expands penalities for sexual assault on a child from instructional staff position to staff person or a person who works or volunteers with ... More... IN Signed into law 03/2006 P-12 Sex Offenders S.B. 246 Prohibits a sex offender from working or volunteering on school property, at a youth program center, or at a public park. Creates new secti... More... CA Vetoed 09/2005 P-12 False Accusation of Sexual Assault A.B. 605 An act to amend Section 48900 of the Education Code, relating to pupil rights. Authorizes a principal or superintendent to suspend a student... More... ME Signed into law 06/2005 P-12 Student Code of Conduct LD 564 Defines unacceptable student behavior; as including, but not limited to, behavior that negatively affects a student's ability to perform aca... More... WA Rule Adoption 11/2004 P-12 Definitions of Abuse WAC 180-88-010 thru -060 Adopts a new chapter to the Board of Education policies. Provides definitions of sexual misconduct, verbal abuse, and physical abuse. Relate... More... PA Signed into law 07/2004 P-12 Public Employee Pension Forfeiture S.B. 971 Amends the Public Employee Pension Forfeiture Act of 1978. Further defines "crimes related to public office or public employment" to include... More... LA Signed into law 06/2004 P-12 Sexually Violent Predators S.B. 164 Existing law barred a sexually violent predator from living within 1000 feet of a public or private elementary or secondary school. Amendme... More... VT Signed into law 04/2004 P-12 Harassment in Schools H.B. 113 Requires boards to adopt policies prohibiting harassment and hazing, including sexual harassment. The stated intent is to: the intent of the... More... WA Signed into law 03/2004 P-12 Access to School Employee Discipline Records S.B. 5533 Relates to providing increased access to information on disciplinary actions taken against school employees; relates to providing known info... More... WI Signed into law 03/2004 Postsec. Student Orientation Information S.B. 247 Provides certain orientation information regarding sexual assault or sexual harassment, including information on sexual assault by acquainta... More... WA Signed into law 03/2004 P-12 Complaint Against School Employees Investigation S.B. 6171 Regards investigation of complaints against school employees of sexual misconduct or physical abuse towards a child.... More... MD Rule Adoption 06/2003 P-12 Student Right to Safe School Environment COMAR 13A.01.04.03 Establishes that all students in Maryland's public schools, without exception and regardless of race, ethnicity, region, religion, gender, s... More... LA Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Immorality Grounds for Dismissal of School Employees H.B. 778 Adds a charge of immorality as a cause for dismissal of a teacher, bus driver, or permanent employee; defines immorality as conviction of a ... More... NV Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Suspension of Licenses S.B. 460 Provides that the employment of a teacher for whom a license is required must be suspended or terminated for failure to maintain a license i... More... TX Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Improper Sexual Relations in Schools H.B. 532 The Educators' Code of Ethics states that an educator should not "solicit or engage in sexual conduct or a romantic relationship with a stud... More... TX Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 Child Abuse S.B. 1488 Requires a superintendent or director of a school district, regional educational service center, or shared services arrangement, to file a r... More... MO Signed into law 06/2003 P-12 S.B. 296 (multiple provisions) Specifies that all valid teaching certificates issued prior to September 1988 are exempt from the professional development requirement that ... More... NC Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 School Safety Officers S.B. 555 Clarifies that it is a felony for a school safety officer to have sexual contact or take indecent liberties with a student.... More... IA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Requirement to Report School Employee Nonrenewal or Termination Due to Alleged or Actual Misconduct H.B. 549 (omnibus bill) Requires any local board, superintendent or head of any nonpublic school to report to the state educational examiners board every instance o... More... IA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Grounds for Disqualification from or Revocation of Teaching License H.B. 549 (omnibus bill) Requires the state board of educational examiners to disqualify an individual from obtaining a teaching license or revoke the teaching licen... More... IA Signed into law 05/2003 P-12 Sexual Abuse or Sexual Exploitation by School Employee H.B. 549 (omnibus bill) Creates five-year statute of limitations for action for damages suffered as result of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation by a school employ... More... AR Signed into law 04/2003 P-12 School Children Protection Act S.B. 691 Expands the Arkansas school children protection act to include teacher sexual contact with a student; requires termination of employment upo... More... MI Signed into law 12/2002 P-12 Criminalizes Sexual Conduct Between School Employees and Students S.B. 1127 Provides that it is criminal sexual conduct if the victim is a minor between certain age groupings and the actor is a teacher, administrator... More... CT Signed into law 06/2002 P-12 Sexual Harassment by Coach H.B. 5722 Establishes as sexual assault in the second degree any incidence of sexual intercourse between a coach or a person who provides intensive, o... More... CO Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Reporting by School Employees of Suspected Sex Offenses Against Children S.B. 187 Includes "unlawful sexual behavior" under definitions of "abuse" and "child abuse or neglect." Requires public and private school officials ... More... CT Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Sexual Abuse of Minors and Child Abuse and Teacher Records H.B. 5680 Lengthens statutes of limitations in cases of sexual abuse, sexual exploitation or sexual assault of a minor to 30 years from date of victim... More... FL Signed into law 05/2002 P-12 Education Code Re-Write: Requirement to Report Student-on-Student Sexual Battery S.B. 20E Creates new section requiring instructional or administrative personnel who know of student-on-student-sexual battery to report the offense ... More... CA Signed into law 10/2001 P-12 School Safety and Violence Prevention Act A.B. 819 States the intent of the Legislature that schoolsites receiving funds pursuant to the School Safety and Violence Prevention Act provide age-... More... CA Chaptered by Secretary of State 09/2001 P-12 Definition of sex offense S.B. 299 Chapter No.342, Includes in the definition of sex offense, as used in provisions relating to school employees, any offense against the laws ... More... NV Signed into law 06/2001 P-12 Harassment, Intimidation, Discrimination A.B. 459 Prohibits harassment, intimidation, and discrimination in public schools; requires the Department of Education to prescribe a policy for pub... More... NC Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Employee Sexual Harassment H.B. 1149 Requires local boards to adopt policies addressing the sexual harassment of school employees.... More... NV Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Sexual Conduct S.B. 183 Revises provisions governing sexual conduct between pupils and persons in position of authority at schools.... More... OK Signed into law 05/2001 P-12 Employee Relationships With Students S.B. 716 Adds new definition of rape. Where the victim is at least sixteen (16) years of age and is less than eighteen (18) years of age and is a stu... More... WA Vetoed 05/2001 P-12 Sexual Misconduct H.B. 1091 Relates to sexual misconduct with a minor by a person who is a school employee and knowingly causes another person under the age of 18 to ha... More... AZ Signed into law 04/2001 P-12 Sex Education/Sexual Conduct S.B. 1222 Requires school districts to integrate into existing sex education curricula; relates to sexual conduct with a minor for pupils in grades 7 ... More... OR Unofficially rejected by voters 11/2000 P-12 Postsec. Community College Ballot Initiative V. 32 MEASURE 9 Prohibits public school instruction (K-12 or Community College level) from encouraging, promoting, or sanctioning homosexual and b... More...