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Relating to requiring public schools to provide instruction and
materials and adopt policies relating to the prevention of child
abuse, family violence, and dating violence.
No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.
SB 1109 would require, as part of the essential knowledge and skills for the health curriculum, the State Board of Education to require students to receive instruction on the prevention of child abuse, family violence, and dating violence at least once in middle or junior high school and at least twice in high school. The instruction would include information on the dating violence policy adopted by the student’s school district under the prevalence of dating violence and the recognition of abuse warning signs, and the procedures for reporting violence or abuse.
Texas Action is opposed to SB 1109 on the principles of limited government and personal responsibility. While we support the prevention of child abuse, family violence, and dating violence, it is unnecessary to mandate this for all districts across the state when it would better to let local school boards, with input from parents, develop this for their local school districts. Ultimately, it the responsibility of parents and families to instruct children regarding the prevention of child abuse, family violence, and dating violence.