This bill proposes to amend current statutes by establishing a statewide Child Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program to be implemented in public schools by October 1, 2026. The program will include instructional modules for teachers on prevention and identification of child sexual abuse, as well as age-appropriate educational materials for students in grades K-12. These materials will focus on recognizing abuse, boundary violations, and strategies for disclosure and support. Additionally, a uniform response policy for reporting instances of abuse will be developed.

The bill also mandates that the Department of Child Safety, in collaboration with the Department of Education, identify or develop this program by July 1, 2026. Importantly, it allows parents or guardians to exempt their children from participating in the program through written notification to the school. Overall, the bill aims to enhance child safety education and response mechanisms within Arizona's public school system.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-160.03