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Bill

SB 385

Establishing Erin's law to require school districts to provide training and age-appropriate student instruction on the identification and reporting of signs of child sexual abuse.

2025-2026 Regular Session

Kansas school districts must train staff and teach students to identify and report child sexual abuse through age-appropriate instruction.

Died in Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 385

Legislative bill overview

SB 385 mandates that Kansas school districts implement training programs and age-appropriate curriculum enabling students to identify and report signs of child sexual abuse. The bill establishes requirements for both educator professional development and direct student instruction across grade levels.

Why is this important

Child sexual abuse often goes unreported due to victims' lack of awareness about what constitutes abuse or how to report it. Early education and staff training can increase identification and reporting rates, potentially protecting vulnerable children. This addresses a significant public health gap where many abuse cases remain hidden for years.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum content concerns: Parents and community members may disagree on what constitutes "age-appropriate" instruction, particularly for younger elementary students, with debates over explicit terminology versus general safety concepts
  • Implementation costs and burden: School districts may face expenses for curriculum development, teacher training, and materials, raising questions about funding sources and mandate feasibility
  • Scope and specificity: The bill's lack of detail about exact training requirements, curriculum standards, and accountability measures could lead to inconsistent implementation across districts or disputes over compliance sufficiency

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

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