JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) - The Alaska Senate has unanimously passed legislation aimed at sexual assault awareness and prevention programs in schools.
SB216 has been called “Erin’s Law,” after Erin Merryn, a sexual abuse victim leading an effort to implement such programs nationwide. A similar bill is pending in the House.
The bill calls on school boards, in consultation with the Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, to implement policies establishing a training program for employees and students in kindergarten through 12th grade. It also calls for publications on sexual abuse and prevention to parents, students and staff. Information would be age-appropriate, include warnings signs of an abused child and steps kids can take to prevent and report abuse.
The bill would take effect in 2016.
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