Bill: SB 2039, 85(R) - 2017
Committee
Senate Education
Vote Recommendation
| Vote Recommendation |
Economic Freedom |
Property Rights |
Personal Responsibility |
Limited Government |
Individual Liberty |
| No |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Neutral |
Negative |
Neutral |
Author(s)
Judith Zaffirini
Bill Caption
Relating to the development of a program and training for public schools on the prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and participation by the human trafficking prevention task force in that development.
Fiscal Notes
Estimated Two-year Net Impact to General Revenue Related Funds for SB 2039, Committee
Report 1st House, Substituted: a negative impact of ($219,000) through the biennium ending
August 31, 2019, assuming the agency implements the program. The agency is not required to
implement the legislation in the absence of an appropriation.
Bill Analysis
The bill would amend the Education Code to require the commissioner, in cooperation with the
Human Trafficking Prevention Task Force, to develop a sexual abuse and sex trafficking program
that a school district may use in the district health curriculum. In addition, the bill would require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to adopt and implement policies on sex
trafficking, including prevention training and a referral protocol, to be included in district
improvement plans.
Vote Recommendation Notes
Though undoubtedly well intentioned to increase awareness and prevention of sexual abuse and sex trafficking, we disagree with the venue this seeks to accomplish it with. Trying to explain sexual abuse and trafficking to children who are too young to be aware of these crimes can lead to unintended consequences and confusion. This is an issue that is best left to parents to teach and discuss. Awareness campaigns, private organizations, and advocacy groups are all extremely active in the prevention of such activities and taking valuable teaching time away from kids in school is an imprudent action in our view. As such, we believe this bill infringes on our principle of limited government.
The goal of this bill, though admirable, is best left to be accomplished by private groups with the input and consent of parents at what they view as the appropriate age. For these reasons, we oppose SB 2039.
