AN ACT

 

1Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2act relating to the public school system, including certain
3provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5laws relating thereto," in terms and courses of study,
6providing for child exploitation awareness education.

7The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8hereby enacts as follows:

9Section 1.  The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding a
11section to read:

12Section 1553.1.  Child Exploitation Awareness Education.--(a) 
13Each school district shall incorporate an age-appropriate child
14exploitation awareness education program into the school
15district's existing curriculum for students in kindergarten
16through eighth grade. In developing the program, the school
17district shall utilize the model guidelines developed by the
18Department of Education pursuant to subsection (c).

19(b)  Child exploitation awareness education may include, but

1need not be limited to, defining child exploitation, recognizing
2the types of child exploitation, creating awareness of warning
3signs of child exploitation and providing students with
4avoidance strategies.

5(c)  The Department of Education, through its Office for Safe
6Schools and in consultation with at least one organization
7addressing child exploitation, shall develop model guidelines
8that school districts shall use in developing the education
9program required under subsection (a). The department shall also
10provide school districts with age-appropriate educational
11materials regarding child exploitation awareness, which may
12include educational materials that are already publicly
13available.

14(d)  A parent or legal guardian of a student in kindergarten
15through eighth grade, within a reasonable period of time after
16the request is made, shall be permitted to examine the child
17exploitation awareness education program instructional materials
18at the school in which the student is enrolled.

19(e)  At the request of a parent or legal guardian, a student
20shall be excused from all or parts of the child exploitation
21awareness education program. The principal of the school in
22which the student is enrolled shall notify all parents or legal
23guardians of their ability to withdraw their children from
24instruction in the program by returning a signed opt-out form,
25after the parent or guardian has been offered the opportunity to
26review the instructional materials.

27(f)  For purposes of this section, the following words and
28phrases shall have the meanings given to them in this subsection
29unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

30"Child exploitation."  The term includes child abduction and

1sexual abuse or exploitation.

2"Sexual abuse or exploitation."  The term shall have the
3meaning given to it under 23 Pa.C.S. § 6303 (relating to
4definitions).

5Section 2.  This act shall take effect in 60 days.