North Dakota SB 2342 Summary

• Creates a task force on prevention of sexual abuse of children to operate during the 2017-18 interim to gather information and develop recommendations to reduce child sexual abuse throughout North Dakota.

• Task force consists of 10 members including one senate member, one house member, one minority party member, the executive director of the department of human services, representatives from children's advocacy centers and child abuse prevention organizations, the superintendent of public instruction, a law enforcement representative, and the executive director of the Indian affairs commission.

• Task force shall gather state information on child sexual abuse, receive reports and testimony from agencies and organizations, create state policy goals for prevention, and submit final recommendations to the governor and legislative management.

• Task force recommendations may include statutory change proposals, curriculum for prekindergarten through grade twelve, school personnel training, parent education in school handbooks, counseling resources for affected students, and educational support for abused children to succeed in school.

• Senate passed the bill 47-0 and the House passed it 85-7.