Courses of study in prevention of child abduction

§ 803-a. Courses of study in prevention of child abduction. 1. All pupils in grades K-8 in all public schools in the state shall receive instruction designed to prevent the abduction of children. Such instruction shall be provided by or under the direct supervision of regular classroom teachers, provided, however, that such instruction may be provided by any other agency, public or private.

2. The commissioner, shall provide technical assistance to assist in the development of curricula for such courses of study which shall be age appropriate and developed according to the needs and abilities of pupils at successive grade levels in order to provide awareness skills, information, self-confidence and support to aid in the prevention of child abduction.

3. For purposes of developing such courses of study, the board of education or trustees of every school district may establish local advisory councils or utilize the school-based shared decision making and planning committee established pursuant to regulations of the commissioner to make recommendations concerning the content and implementation of such courses. School districts may alternatively utilize courses of instruction developed by consortia of school district, boards of cooperative educational services, other school districts or any other agency, public or private. Such advisory councils shall consist of, but not be limited to, parents, school trustees and board members, appropriate school personnel, business and community representatives, and law enforcement personnel having experience in the prevention of child abduction.

4. The board of education or trustees of every school district shall provide appropriate training and curriculum materials for the regular teachers who provide such instruction.