This bill aims to enhance child sexual abuse and child sexual assault awareness and prevention in Iowa schools. It amends existing law to require the director of the Department of Education to develop age-appropriate materials that include information on recognizing and rejecting unwanted sexual advances, the dangers of online exploitation, and resources for survivors. Notably, the bill adds a focus on child sexual abuse and assault awareness and prevention to the existing educational materials. Additionally, it mandates the development of model guidelines for teaching these topics to students in kindergarten through sixth grade, emphasizing safe and unsafe touch, the importance of reporting inappropriate behavior, and various educational methods.

Furthermore, the bill establishes requirements for school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide consistent instruction based on the model guidelines. It also requires the Board of Educational Examiners to adopt rules for continuing education related to child sexual abuse and assault awareness for educators. The bill specifies that any costs associated with these mandates will be covered by state school foundation aid, ensuring that schools can implement these requirements without additional financial burden.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.9, 256.146, 256E.7, 280.36