By Mr. Koutoujian of Waltham, petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 490) of Peter J. Koutoujian relative to the teaching of teen dating violence policies in the public schools.  Education.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

——————

PETITION OF:

Peter J. Koutoujian

——————

In the Year Two Thousand and Seven.

——————

An Act relative to the teaching of teen dating violence in the public schools. .

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:

SECTION 1. Chapter 71 of the General Laws is hereby amended by inserting after section 2B the following section:-

Section 2C. All school districts in the Commonwealth shall implement a specific policy and discipline code to address teen dating violence in public schools. The Department of Education shall develop a model policy that school districts may adopt and provide technical and legal assistance to school districts in developing written teen dating violence policies and procedures.

Such policies shall clearly state that dating violence will not be tolerated and shall include guidelines for addressing alleged incidents of dating violence. Such policies may include a teen dating violence prevention task force comprised of staff, students and parents to provide awareness training and education for the school community. Such policies would include defining the issue of teen dating violence, recognizing warning signs, identifying issues of confidentiality, safety and appropriate legal school-based interventions.

SECTION 2. Section 1 of chapter 71 of the General Laws shall be amended by inserting in line 19 after the words, “emotional development”, the following words:-

“safe and healthy relationships with a focus on preventing sexual and domestic violence”.