Bill Summaries: H253 PREVENT STUDENTS FROM HARM ACT.

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  • Summary date: Mar 1 2023 - View Summary

    Part I.

    Amends GS 115C-81.60, which requires local boards of education to develop and implement character education instruction; adds the requirement that this instruction be high-quality and specifies that it is to be incorporated into the standard curriculum at all grade levels. Requires, rather than encouraging, local boards of education to include instruction on respect for school personnel, responsibility for school safety, service to others, and good citizenship. Amends the requirements for instruction in responsibility for school safety to also include creating a school atmosphere that is free from bullying and harassing behavior (as defined in GS 115C-407.15).

    Amends GS 115C-407.16, which requires local school administrative units to adopt policies prohibiting bullying or harassing behavior. Specifies that the units are to also implement the policy. Specifies that the required policy components are preventative. Provides that the component consisting of consequences and appropriate remedial action for a person who commits bullying or harassment may include additional high-quality instruction on the trait and responsibilities of character education, or participation in a conflict resolution and mediation model. Removes outdated language.

    Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.

    Part II.

    Amends GS 115C-375.20 to allow the training program for school personnel on child sexual abuse and sex trafficking to be provided, among the other listed options, by a nonprofit organization with over 10 years of experience in providing a research-based child sexual abuse prevention curriculum.

    Part III.

    Amends GS 115C-81.25 to require that the health education instruction for the K-9th grade component on mental and emotional health also include resources, skills, and strategies for suicide prevention. Also requires that the instruction include abuse and neglect prevention, including sexual abuse, that is age appropriate and provides high-quality information to students on resources for reporting abuse.

    Applies beginning with the 2023-24 school year.