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<section article="ged" article_name="Education" number="6-113.1" title_number="6" title_name="Teachers and Other Personnel" subtitle_number="1" subtitle_name="Personnel Matters">
  <level label="a">
    <level label="1">
      <text>In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>“Child sexual abuse” means an act by an adult involving a minor or a student that constitutes a sexual offense under the laws of the State, or any sexual contact between an adult and a minor.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="3">
      <text>“Sexual misconduct” means an act by an adult, including an oral, nonverbal, written, or electronic communication, or a physical activity directed toward or with a minor that is designed to promote a romantic or sexual relationship with the minor, including:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Sexual or romantic invitation;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Dating or soliciting dates;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Engaging in sexualized or romantic dialogue;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Making sexually suggestive comments;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="v">
        <text>Grooming behaviors;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vi">
        <text>Self–disclosure or physical exposure of a sexual, romantic, or erotic nature; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="vii">
        <text>A sexual, indecent, romantic, or erotic contact with the minor.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="b">
    <level label="1">
      <text>A county board or nonpublic school that receives State funds shall require each employee to receive instruction annually on the prevention, identification, and reporting of child sexual abuse.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The instruction described in paragraph (1) of this subsection shall include comprehensive training and information to help employees to:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Recognize sexual misconduct in adults;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Recognize and appropriately respond to sexually inappropriate, coercive, or abusive behaviors among minors;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>Recognize behaviors and verbal cues that could indicate a minor has been a victim of child sexual abuse; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iv">
        <text>Respond to disclosures by minors or their parents or guardians of child sexual abuse or reports of boundary–violating behaviors of adults or minors in a supportive and appropriate manner that meets mandated reporting requirements under State law.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="c">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Each county board shall establish and implement policies that support the prevention of child sexual abuse through ongoing training of staff regarding:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>Behavior that constitutes adult perpetration;</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Reporting obligations and procedures; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="iii">
        <text>For staff involved in the hiring process, comprehensive screening of prospective employees.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The county board shall develop employee codes of conduct that address appropriate contact between staff and students.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="d">
    <level label="1">
      <text>Each employee shall complete the instruction and training described in subsection (b) of this section on an annual basis.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>The instruction and training under this section:</text>
      <level label="i">
        <text>May include in–person or e–learning instruction and training; and</text>
      </level>
      <level label="ii">
        <text>Shall be periodically reviewed and updated.</text>
      </level>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="e">
    <level label="1">
      <text>On or before December 1, 2018, the Interagency Commission on School Construction and the State Council on Child Abuse and Neglect jointly shall develop guidelines and best practices for the assessment and modification of physical facilities and spaces to reduce opportunities for child sexual abuse.</text>
    </level>
    <level label="2">
      <text>Beginning in the 2019–2020 school year, each county board shall develop policies and procedures on the use and modification of physical facilities and spaces to reduce opportunities for child sexual abuse.</text>
    </level>
  </level>
  <level label="f">
    <text>Each county board shall make information about the training opportunities described in this section available to parents, legal guardians, and other interested persons in the community.</text>
  </level>
</section>
