HB 44 Summary

• Establishes mandatory training programs for school employees on sexual abuse and assault awareness, dating violence prevention, and suicide prevention for students in grades K-12.

• Requires school districts to adopt policies on sexual abuse/assault awareness and dating violence prevention, with age-appropriate curricula and parent notification procedures.

• Makes training on alcohol/drug-related disabilities, sexual abuse/assault awareness, dating violence, and suicide prevention mandatory requirements for teacher certification.

• Creates the Alaska Safe Children's Act Task Force to develop model curricula and teacher training materials by June 30, 2016, with 10 members from legislature, state agencies, and private organizations.

• Modifies mandatory reporter requirements for child abuse/neglect, adding volunteers who interact with children in schools for more than four hours per week and clarifying exceptions for unpaid volunteer athletic coaches.

• Repeals college and career readiness assessment requirements for secondary students and allows students to challenge courses by demonstrating mastery in core subjects.