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SB 254

Education - Sexual Abuse and Assault Awareness and Prevention Program - Human and Sex Trafficking

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jason Gallion

SB 254 mandates Maryland schools implement sexual abuse, assault, and human trafficking prevention education programs across grade levels to increase student awareness and protective knowledge.

Hearing 2/18 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · SB 254

Legislative bill overview

SB 254 establishes a mandatory sexual abuse, assault awareness, and human/sex trafficking prevention program for Maryland schools. The bill requires educational curricula addressing these topics to be incorporated into student instruction at specified grade levels, with implementation standards set by the State Department of Education.

Why is this important

Sexual abuse, assault, and human trafficking are significant threats to minors, with early education shown to improve recognition of warning signs and increase reporting. Standardized prevention programs can equip students with knowledge to protect themselves and peers while potentially reducing victimization rates across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and burden: Schools must develop or adopt curricula and train educators, raising questions about funding sources and resource availability, particularly for under-resourced districts
  • Curriculum specificity and age-appropriateness: Debate likely over what explicit content is suitable for different age groups and whether "awareness" requires discussion of sexual acts, anatomy, or consent in ways some parents may oppose
  • Parental rights and opt-out provisions: Unclear whether parents can remove children from instruction; bills without opt-out clauses often face opposition from those prioritizing parental authority over content exposure

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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