Maryland Senate Passes Bill to Strengthen Protections for Children Against Sexual Abuse

On April 11th, 2021, the Maryland Senate passed a bill that will strengthen protections for children against sexual abuse. This bill, known as the Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Act, is a major step forward in the fight to protect children from predators.

The bill requires all public and private schools to provide age-appropriate education on child sexual abuse prevention. This education must include information about the warning signs of child sexual abuse, how to report it, and how to seek help. Schools must also provide information about the legal rights of victims of child sexual abuse and their families.

The bill also requires all public and private schools to conduct background checks on all school personnel who have direct contact with children. This includes teachers, administrators, coaches, and other staff members. The background checks must include criminal history checks, as well as checks of the state’s child abuse registry.

The bill also creates a new state task force to investigate and prosecute cases of child sexual abuse. The task force will be made up of representatives from law enforcement, social services, mental health professionals, and victim advocates. The task force will also work with local law enforcement to ensure that cases of child sexual abuse are investigated and prosecuted properly.

Finally, the bill requires all public and private schools to create a policy to address allegations of child sexual abuse. The policy must include procedures for reporting allegations, conducting investigations, and providing support for victims and their families.

The passage of this bill is a major victory for advocates of child safety. It will help ensure that children in Maryland are better protected from predators and that those who commit these heinous acts are held accountable for their actions. It is a testament to the hard work of advocates and legislators who have been fighting for this legislation for years.

Source: news.google.com

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