SB2843eng 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2843 Engrossed LRB096 16940 MJR 32253 b

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The School Code is amended by adding Sections 2-3.153 and 10-23.13 as follows:

(105 ILCS 5/2-3.153 new)

Sec. 2-3.153. The Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children. The Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children is created within the Illinois State Board of Education. The Task Force shall consist of 9 members appointed as follows:

(1) five members appointed by the Governor;

(2) one member appointed by the President of the Senate;

(3) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the Senate;

(4) one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(5) one member appointed by the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives.

Members of the Task Force must be individuals who are actively involved in the fields of the prevention of child abuse and neglect and child welfare. The appointment of members must reflect the geographic diversity of the State.

The Task Force shall elect a presiding officer by a majority vote of the membership of the Task Force. The Task Force shall meet at the call of the presiding officer.

The Task Force shall make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in Illinois. In making those recommendations, the Task Force shall:

(1) gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout the State;

(2) receive reports and testimony from individuals, State and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations;

(3) create goals for State policy that would prevent child sexual abuse; and

(4) submit a final report with its recommendations to the Office of the Governor and the General Assembly by April 30, 2011.

The recommendations may include proposals for specific statutory changes and methods to foster cooperation among State agencies and between the State and local government.

The Task Force shall consult with employees of the Department of Children and Family Services, the Criminal Justice Information Agency, the Department of State Police, the Illinois State Board of Education, and any other State agency or department as necessary to accomplish the Task Force's responsibilities under this Section.

The members of the Task Force shall serve without compensation and shall not be reimbursed for their expenses.

The Task Force shall be abolished upon submission of the final report to the Office of the Governor and the General Assembly.

(105 ILCS 5/10-23.13 new)

Sec. 10-23.13. Policies addressing sexual abuse. To adopt and implement a policy addressing sexual abuse of children that may include age-appropriate curriculum for students in pre-K through 5th grade; training for school personnel on child sexual abuse; educational information to parents or guardians provided in the school handbook on the warning signs of a child being abused, along with any needed assistance, referral, or resource information; available counseling and resources for students affected by sexual abuse; and emotional and educational support for a child of abuse to continue to be successful in school.

Any policy adopted may address without limitation:

(1) methods for increasing teacher, student, and parent awareness of issues regarding sexual abuse of children, including knowledge of likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of sexual abuse;

(2) actions that a child who is a victim of sexual abuse should take to obtain assistance and intervention; and

(3) available counseling options for students affected by sexual abuse.

This Section may be referred to as Erin's Law.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.