Utah governor signs sex abuse prevention measure


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: Less than a minute

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah Gov. Gary Herbert has given final approval to a measure aiming to prevent child sex abuse by creating an awareness program in Utah schools.

Herbert's office announced Wednesday that he has signed the measure. It also has the backing of former kidnapping and sexual assault victim Elizabeth Smart.

The measure allows schools to choose if they want to teach students what to do if they are abused or made subject to inappropriate contact from adults.

And parents may opt students out of the program.

During the legislative session this year, some lawmakers opposed measure saying it could lessen parental rights.

But Salt Lake City Democrat Rep. Angela Romero, who sponsored the measure, says many schools already offer such lessons.

The program will start during the 2016-2017 school year.

___

Online:

HB 286: http://1.usa.gov/NzHSuI

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most recent Utah stories

Related topics

U.S.Utah
The Associated Press

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast