This bill aims to enhance child sexual abuse and 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 students in kindergarten through sixth grade about these issues, including safe and unsafe touch, reporting abuse, and encouraging students to speak up.

Furthermore, the bill establishes requirements for school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, charter schools, and innovation zone schools to provide instruction consistent with the new model guidelines. It also mandates the Board of Educational Examiners to adopt rules for continuing education related to child sexual abuse and assault awareness for license renewal. The bill specifies that the costs associated with these mandates will be covered by state school foundation aid, ensuring that no additional state funding is necessary for implementation.

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