Preventing Sexual Abuse of K–12 Students Act of 2023

To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to protect students from sexual abuse, and for other purposes. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Preventing Sexual Abuse of K–12 Students Act of 2023 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) Child sexual abuse victims are at greater risk of experiencing feelings of guilt and shame, suffering from low self-esteem, and developing substance abuse symptoms, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. (2) A 2004 study by the Department of Education indicated that 9.6 percent of students in secondary schools reported that they had been subjected to sexual misconduct by school personnel. (3) A 2014 report by the Government Accountability Office revealed that only 42 States had codes of conduct for school personnel of which only 22 dealt with appropriate relationships between personnel and students. (4) Such 2014 report by GAO also revealed that only 18 States mandated that school districts provide sexual abuse and misconduct awareness and prevention training. (5) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ( 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. (6) Educators are dedicated and tireless individuals serving our communities and they make invaluable contributions to our country by preparing students for the future. They work to provide children with safe and secure environments in which to learn and these safe environments should be strengthened by including the resources and training necessary to help prevent the sexual abuse of students. (7) It is in the interest of the United States to protect students in elementary and secondary schools from sexual abuse and misconduct. 3. Sexual abuse awareness training (a) In general Subpart 2 of part F of title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7901 et seq. 8549D. Sexual abuse awareness training Each State receiving funds under this Act shall establish and implement a statewide policy requiring each local educational agency to— (1) develop codes of conduct to prevent sexual abuse of students by identifying acceptable and unacceptable behavior for— (A) school personnel with respect to relationships with students; and (B) students with respect to relationships with other students; and (2) ensure that school personnel receive training on— (A) the codes of conduct described in paragraph (1); (B) Federal and State requirements with respect to reporting child abuse; (C) the requirements under title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ( 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq. (D) sexual abuse and misconduct awareness and prevention. . (b) Funding (1) Grants for State assessments Section 1201(a) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6361(a) (3) To carry out sexual abuse awareness training under section 8549D. . (2) Types of State activities Section 2101(c)(4)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6611(c)(4)(B) (xxii) Carrying out sexual abuse awareness training under section 8549D. . (3) Local uses of funds Section 2103(b)(3)(L) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6613(b)(3)(L) and carrying out sexual abuse awareness training under section 8549D (4) Student support and academic enrichment grants Section 4108(5) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7118(5) (A) in subparagraph (H)(iii), by striking or (B) in subparagraph (I), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or (C) by adding at the end the following: (J) carrying out sexual abuse awareness training under section 8549D. . (c) Effective date The amendments made by this section shall take effect on the date that is 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act. 4. Report Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Education shall conduct a study and submit a report to Congress that includes— (1) the incidence of sexual abuse of elementary and secondary school students by— (A) other students; and (B) school personnel; and (2) recommendations with respect to preventing the sexual abuse described in paragraph (1).

Summary: Preventing Sexual Abuse of K-12 Students Act of 2023 This bill requires sexual abuse awareness training in elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, the bill requires states receiving federal elementary and secondary education funds to establish and implement a statewide policy requiring each local educational agency to (1) develop codes of conduct to prevent sexual abuse of students by identifying acceptable and unacceptable behavior for school personnel and students; and (2) ensure that school personnel receive specified training, including training on sexual abuse and misconduct awareness and prevention. In addition, the bill expands the allowable uses for certain grants (e.g., Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants) to include sexual abuse awareness training. Finally, the Department of Education must make recommendations to Congress for preventing the sexual abuse of elementary and secondary school students.