SB 839

This bill requires the state superintendent of public instruction, in consultation with the Department of Children and Families and the Department of Justice, to develop a list of recommended training courses related to recognizing, reporting, and preventing human trafficking and sextortion that are age-appropriate for pupils in grades 6 to 12. Beginning in the 2026-27 school year, the bill requires each school board to provide age-appropriate instruction in human trafficking and sextortion prevention that is consistent with the recommended training courses at least once in grades 6 to 8 and once in grades 9 to 12. The bill defines “sextortion” as sexual exploitation that includes the perpetrator receiving sexually explicit material from the victim and then threatening to release the sexually explicit material unless the victim sends the perpetrator money or additional sexual content or engages in sexual activity.

Finally, under the bill, school boards must require full-time school district employees who are required to hold a license issued by the Department of Public Instruction to receive training in identifying victims and potential victims of child trafficking and sextortion.