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AB 138

Revises provisions relating to curriculum standards for teaching the personal safety of children. (BDR 34-922)

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Danielle Gallant

Nevada now requires age-appropriate K–12 personal safety and sexual-abuse prevention curriculum in health courses, with training, materials for parents, and opt-out options.

(Pursuant to Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.1, no further action allowed.)
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Bill Summary · AB 138

AB 138 — Curriculum standards for teaching the personal safety of children (BDR 34‑922)

Status: Chapter 78, Statutes of 2025. Enacted (Governor approved July 29, 2025).
Primary sponsor: Assemblymember Gallant. Amends NRS 389.031 and 389.064.

Purpose / Intent

Require the Nevada Department of Education (NDE) to develop age‑appropriate K–12 curriculum standards and related recommendations to teach pupils about personal safety, explicitly including awareness and prevention of sexual abuse. Ensure school districts and charter schools implement that instruction as part of health education while preserving parental notice and opt‑out protections.

Key provisions

  • Curriculum standards (NRS 389.031)

    • NDE must develop age‑appropriate, best‑practice standards for teaching:
    • Personal safety of children (broadened definition — see below).
    • Awareness and prevention of sexual abuse for pupils in kindergarten through grade 12.
    • The sexual‑abuse component must include:
    • Methods to increase awareness among teachers, pupils, and parents/guardians about signs/indicators of sexual abuse.
    • Actions a child who is a victim should take to obtain help/intervention.
    • Counseling options available to pupils affected by sexual abuse.
    • NDE must produce recommendations to help districts/charter schools develop:
    • A training plan so at least one employee at each school (designated by the principal) receives training on personal safety of children.
    • Educational materials and guidance for parents/guardians on teaching and reinforcing personal safety concepts.
    • Policies/procedures for referral of children (and families as appropriate) who report or experience incidents threatening personal safety, including counseling and other services.
    • NDE will review these standards and recommendations annually and may accept grants/donations to implement them.

  • Definition expanded

    • “Personal safety of children” now expressly includes age‑appropriate recognition of hazards particularly relevant to children: unsafe persons (known or unknown), physical and sexual abuse, becoming lost/separated from caregivers, and appropriate steps a child can take (including reporting threats to a responsible adult).

  • Local implementation (NRS 389.064)

    • Boards of trustees and charter governing bodies must ensure the instruction (including sexual‑abuse awareness/prevention) is implemented as part of the health course of study.
    • Districts/charters determine specific materials and the grade levels for instruction, guided by NDE recommendations.
    • Authorized instructors: licensed teachers; school employees with special training in personal safety; employees of agencies whose primary purpose is teaching child safety; law enforcement employees; or qualified volunteers from relevant agencies.
    • Parent/guardian notification required; parents may submit a written request to excuse their child from some or all of the instruction (except when the instruction is part of a required graduation course). Instructional materials must be available for parental inspection; pupils excused retain credits/standing.
    • Districts/charters encouraged (subject to available funds) to implement broader training for all employees and distribute parent educational materials.

Who is affected

  • Pupils in kindergarten through grade 12 (all public schools and charter schools).
  • School districts, charter schools, school principals and staff (training and implementation responsibilities).
  • Department of Education (curriculum development, annual review).
  • Parents/guardians (notification, inspection, and opt‑out rights).
  • Providers of counseling/referral services and community organizations that may partner on training or materials.

Fiscal/timeline notes

  • Fiscal note: No effect on local government; “Effect on the State: Yes” (indicates state‑level costs for NDE to develop standards, review annually, and possible training/materials; grants/donations may offset costs).
  • NDE required to review standards annually; no specific effective date beyond chaptering is stated in the provided documents. Law enacted and chaptered July 29, 2025.

Practical impact

AB 138 formalizes statewide standards for teaching child personal safety and sexual‑abuse prevention, mandates inclusion of that instruction within health curricula, establishes training and referral expectations, and preserves parental rights to review materials and request excusal. Implementation will require NDE work and likely some state funding; districts will need to adopt materials, notify parents, and arrange qualified instructors.

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

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