Posted: | October 6, 2016 12:31 PM |
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From: | Senator Judith L. Schwank |
To: | All Senate members |
Subject: | Dating and sexual violence education programs |
I will shortly introduce legislation to strengthen Public School Code provisions regarding dating and sexual violence. This bill was developed with input from the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this is aimed at more effectively dealing with the issues of domestic violence in the Commonwealth. My proposal would require schools to establish specific policies regarding dating violence, including reporting procedures for students, parents, legal guardians, or third parties; disciplinary procedures and penalties for students perpetrating dating violence against other students; and information regarding the Protection from Abuse law. Additionally, schools and districts would be required to post these policies on the school or district website, in every classroom where practical, and in at least one prominent location within a school. Existing training requirements on dating violence would be expanded to include middle-school students; components that are now optional; and all teachers, coaches, and school- or district-designated employees. Finally, the bill would also require that post-secondary schools include in currently mandated sexual violence awareness programs information on how to obtain Protection from Abuse orders. I hope you will consider adding your support to these important improvements for the welfare and safety of everyone in Pennsylvania, but particularly for those of our young people. |
Introduced as SB1394