An Act relative to the prevention of child sexual abuse in schools and youth organizations

This bill, known as the SHIELD Act, requires schools and youth organizations in Massachusetts to adopt official policies designed to prevent child sexual abuse. These policies must outline clear codes of conduct that define appropriate and inappropriate behaviors for employees and students, including specific examples of sexual misconduct such as soliciting dates or making suggestive comments. The state departments of education and children and families are tasked with creating these model policies in consultation with other agencies and private organizations, and they must review and update the guidelines at least every five years to ensure they reflect current best practices.