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SENATE AMENDED
PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 531, 1946 PRINTER'S NO. 2147
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE BILL
No. 538
Session of
2025
INTRODUCED BY LEADBETER, HAMM, STEHR, KAUFFMAN, M. BROWN, KUTZ,
ZIMMERMAN, FINK, T. JONES, PUGH, MARCELL, SCHEUREN AND
SHAFFER, FEBRUARY 10, 2025
SENATOR CULVER, EDUCATION, IN SENATE, AS AMENDED, JULY 16, 2025
AN ACT
Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
act relating to the public school system, including certain
provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
laws relating thereto," in sexual violence, dating violence,
domestic violence and stalking education, prevention and
response at institutions of higher education and private
licensed schools, further providing for scope of article, for
definitions, for education program and for follow-up; and
making an editorial change.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Article XX-G heading and section 2001-G of the
act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public
School Code of 1949, are amended to read:
ARTICLE XX-G
SEXUAL VIOLENCE, DATING VIOLENCE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE [AND],
STALKING AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING EDUCATION, PREVENTION AND
RESPONSE AT INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND PRIVATE
LICENSED SCHOOLS
Section 2001-G. Scope of article.
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This article relates to [college and university] institution
of higher education and private licensed school sexual violence,
dating violence, domestic violence [and], stalking and human
trafficking education, prevention and response.
Section 2. The definition of "education program" in section
2002-G of the act is amended and the section is amended by
adding definitions to read:
Section 2002-G. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this article
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
* * *
"Education program." An evidence-based sexual violence,
dating violence, domestic violence [and], stalking and human
trafficking prevention and awareness education program under
this article.
"Human trafficking." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001
(relating to definitions).
"Human trafficking PREVENTION organization." A nonprofit
organization that specializes in outreach and education programs
on human trafficking prevention and awareness in adherence to
standards established by the Department of Human Services .
RELEVANT OVERSIGHT ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE PENNSYLVANIA
COALITION TO ADVANCE RESPECT, PENNSYLVANIA COALITION AGAINST
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, NATIONAL CHILDREN'S ALLIANCE OR THE
PENNSYLVANIA COMMISSION ON CRIME AND DELINQUENCY.
* * *
"Involuntary servitude." As defined in 18 Pa.C.S. § 3001.
* * *
Section 3. Sections 2003-G(a), (b) and (c) and 2004-G of the
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act are amended to read:
Section 2003-G. Education program.
(a) General rule.--Institutions of higher education and
private licensed schools shall establish and implement an
education program for all students. In developing or
implementing an education program, institutions of higher
education and private licensed schools shall consult with a
local rape crisis center and domestic violence program, as
appropriate and if available. Institutions of higher education
and private licensed schools may consult with a human
trafficking PREVENTION organization to develop and implement an
education program. The department, in consultation with the
Pennsylvania Coalition [Against Rape] TO ADVANCE RESPECT and the
Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, shall develop
an online clearinghouse of model education programs and other
resources to aid institutions of higher education and private
licensed schools in fulfilling this requirement. The department
may consult with a human trafficking PREVENTION organization to
develop the online clearinghouse of model education programs and
other resources. Each education program shall provide the
following:
(1) A discussion of sexual violence, dating violence,
domestic violence [and], stalking and human trafficking.
(2) A discussion of consent, including an explanation
that the victim is not at fault.
(3) A discussion of drug and alcohol-facilitated sexual
violence.
(4) Information relating to risk education and personal
protection.
(5) Information on where and how to get assistance,
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including the importance of medical treatment and evidence
collection, and how to report sexual violence to campus
authorities and local law enforcement.
(6) The possibility of pregnancy and transmission of
sexual diseases.
(7) Introduction of members of the educational community
from:
(i) Campus police or security and local law
enforcement.
(ii) Campus health center, women's center and rape
crisis center.
(iii) Campus counseling service or any service
responsible for psychological counseling and student
affairs.
(8) A promise of discretion and dignity.
(9) A promise of confidentiality for victims of sexual
assault to the extent allowable by law.
(10) Information regarding confidential resources and
services available for victims of sexual violence, dating
violence, domestic violence [and], stalking and human
trafficking.
(b) [(Reserved).] Human trafficking subject matter.--
Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, the human trafficking
prevention component of an education program shall provide
students with, at a minimum, the following instruction:
(1) Current Federal and State laws relating to human
trafficking.
(2) Facts and statistics relating to human trafficking
in this Commonwealth and throughout the United States.
(3) Methods by which human traffickers compel or coerce
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victims to engage in involuntary servitude, including the
recruitment of potential victims over social media platforms
and the Internet.
(4) Risk factors that may make an individual more
vulnerable to human trafficking.
(5) How to identify potential victims of sexual
servitude and involuntary servitude and what to do when a
victim is identified.
(c) Notification of rights, accommodations and protective
measures.--A concise notification of rights, accommodations and
protective measures shall be made available in writing and on
the institution of higher education's or private licensed
school's publicly accessible Internet website to students and
employees, including victims of dating violence, domestic
violence, sexual violence [and], stalking and human trafficking,
regardless of where the incidences occurred, including
information regarding:
(1) Existing counseling, mental health, health care,
victim advocacy, legal assistance and other services
available for victims, both within the institution or school
and in the community.
(2) Available options and assistance regarding how to
report to the institution or school, report to law
enforcement, obtain protections from abuse and sexual
violence protection orders, file for crime victims'
compensation and assistance program and request protective
measures or changes to academic, living, transportation,
working situations or other educational activities.
* * *
Section 2004-G. Follow-up.
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An institution of higher education and private licensed
school shall conduct at least one follow-up program for the
students in the education program. The follow-up program may
consist of the following:
(1) Lecturers and interactive learning programs relating
to sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence [and],
stalking and human trafficking prevention and awareness.
(2) Institutional activities relating to sexual
violence, dating violence, domestic violence [and], stalking
and human trafficking prevention and awareness.
(3) Videos and other educational materials relating to
sexual violence, dating violence, domestic violence [and],
stalking and human trafficking prevention and awareness.
Section 4. This act shall take effect in 60 days.
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