Arkansas SB 527 Summary

• School districts must provide in-service training at least once every two years to licensed school personnel on identifying and responding to child sexual abuse, conducted by someone with expertise in child victim issues.

• Training must cover identifying warning signs of sexual abuse, communicating with affected children, connecting victims to in-school services and other agencies, and implementing district policies on confidentiality.

• Licensed school personnel covered includes administrators, classroom teachers, coaches, guidance counselors, social workers, psychologists, and school nurses.

• The Child Health Advisory Committee shall develop policy recommendations and guidelines for the in-service training and for optional educational materials school districts may provide to parents on recognizing abuse and accessing resources.

• Training must follow Child Health Advisory Committee recommendations and meet Department of Education professional development credit requirements.