18A:36-25.10 Duties of task force.

4. a. It shall be the duty of the task force to make recommendations for reducing child sexual abuse in this State. The task force shall also make recommendations for school policies and training that address the sexual abuse of children. In making its recommendations, the task force shall do the following:

(1) gather information concerning child sexual abuse throughout the State;

(2) receive reports and testimony from individuals, State and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations;

(3) review steps taken and programs established in other states to reduce child sexual abuse;

(4) create goals for State policy that are aimed at preventing child sexual abuse;

(5) create recommendations and guidelines for school policies addressing sexual abuse of children. The recommendations and guidelines shall be flexible enough to allow accommodation for local autonomy and values;

(6) review current instructional programs or curricula provided in New Jersey schools on issues related to child sexual abuse, and create recommendations for a sample curriculum to be utilized by school districts;

(7) create recommendations and guidelines for school personnel to respond appropriately to students affected by sexual abuse, including any recommendations for teacher professional development and training on this issue;

(8) create recommendations and guidelines for age-appropriate, evidence-based child sexual abuse awareness, including guidelines for utilizing appropriately trained professionals to provide the student instruction and teacher training on this issue;

(9) create recommendations and guidelines for providing educational material to parents and guardians on the warning signs of child sexual abuse and information on assistance and referrals or resources; and

(10) develop a child sexual abuse protocol to be utilized by all community partners in order to help identify, prevent, and investigate child sexual abuse.

b. The recommendations described in subsection a. of this section may include proposals for specific statutory changes and methods to foster cooperation among State agencies and between the State and local government. The recommendations also may identify opportunities for collaboration among State and local agencies, community-based organizations, and other public and private organizations to provide prevention education services.

c. The task force shall present any recommendations and guidelines concerning school policies, updates to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards, and school personnel, as developed pursuant to paragraphs (5), (6), and (7) of subsection a. of this section, to the State Board of Education for consideration and possible adoption.

L.2019, c.107, s.4.