How HB 205 changes current law

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill mandates that public schools provide information and resources regarding child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse, to students in grades six through twelve.

• N.C.G.S. § 115C-12

  (47) Duty regarding abuse and neglect. – The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Superintendent of Public Instruction, shall adopt a policy to be implemented by each public secondary school, as defined in G.S. 115C-105.51, to provide students in grades six through 12 with information on child abuse and neglect, including age-appropriate information on sexual abuse. This policy shall apply at public secondary schools under the control of the State Board of Education, including schools operated under Article 9C of this Chapter. Information shall be provided in the form of (i) a document provided to all students at the beginning of each school year and (ii) a display posted in visible, high-traffic areas throughout each public secondary school. The document and display shall include, at a minimum, the following information: a. Likely warning signs indicating that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect, including age-appropriate information on sexual abuse. b. The telephone number used for reporting abuse and neglect to the department of social services in the county in which the school is located, in accordance with G.S. 7B-301. c. A statement that information reported pursuant to sub-subdivision (47)b. of this section shall be held in the strictest confidence, to the extent permitted by law, pursuant to G.S. 7B-302(a1). d. Available resources developed pursuant to G.S. 115C-105.51, including the anonymous safety tip line application.

  This adds a new requirement for the State Board of Education to create and implement a policy ensuring that students learn about child abuse and neglect.

• N.C.G.S. § 115C-47

  (65) To Provide Information About Child Abuse and Neglect. – Local boards of education shall implement the policy addressing student awareness of child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse, adopted by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C-47.

  This adds a new responsibility for local boards of education to execute the policy established by the State Board regarding student awareness of child abuse and neglect.

• N.C.G.S. § 115C-218.75

  (e2) Abuse and Neglect Policy. – A charter school shall implement the policy addressing student awareness of child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse, adopted by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C-12(47).

  This requires charter schools to adopt the same policy for student awareness of child abuse and neglect as public secondary schools.

• N.C.G.S. § 115C-238.66

  (7f) Abuse and neglect policy. – A regional school shall implement the policy addressing student awareness of child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse, adopted by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C-12(47).

  This ensures that regional schools also follow the new policy regarding awareness of child abuse and neglect.

• N.C.G.S. § 116-239.8(b)

  (19) A laboratory school shall implement the policy addressing student awareness of child abuse and neglect, including sexual abuse, adopted by the State Board of Education under G.S. 115C-12(47) for all public secondary schools under the control of the Board of Governors.

  This obligates laboratory schools to comply with the policy regarding student awareness of child abuse and neglect.