The proposed bill would amend current statutes by introducing a new section, 15-160.03, to the Arizona Revised Statutes, which mandates the Department of Child Safety (DCS) to develop a statewide child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention program in collaboration with the Arizona Department of Education (ADE) by July 1, 2026. This program must include instructional modules for teachers, age-appropriate educational materials for students from kindergarten through grade 12, and a uniform response policy and reporting procedure for incidents of child sexual abuse and assault. Each public school would be required to implement this program by October 1, 2026.

Additionally, the bill specifies that no local or regional board of education can mandate student participation in the program, allowing parents or legal guardians to exempt their children through written notification. The bill also emphasizes the importance of training for teachers and resources for students and parents to enhance awareness and prevention of child sexual abuse and assault. Overall, the legislation aims to strengthen child safety education in Arizona schools while providing flexibility for parental involvement.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-160.03