Pa. House passes Daley bill expanding child sexual abuse education for students
Rep. Mary Jo Daley February 4, 2026 | 4:27 PM
HARRISBURG, Feb. 4 – The Pennsylvania House of Representatives today voted to pass H.B. 460, which would require schools to offer age-appropriate education programs to teach students about child abuse, including sexual abuse and exploitation.
In Pennsylvania, school employees already receive training on how to recognize and report abuse. State Rep. Mary Jo Daley, the bill’s sponsor, said her legislation would build on that foundation by extending prevention education to students.
“The fact is children are being abused, and a big part of the problem is that not all of them recognize it right away,” said Daley, D-Montgomery. “And sometimes – more often than we want to think – the person who should be warning them about sexual abuse is the one committing it.”
Research indicates that 15 to 25% of girls and 5 to 8% of boys experience sexual abuse before age 18. A 2025 study by the Crimes Against Children Research Center found even higher rates when online risks are included.
“This legislation is about protecting children, empowering them with knowledge, and helping build survivors, not victims,” Daley said.
House Bill 460 would also empower the state Department of Education to develop and post guidelines and materials that schools can share to reach students. It is based on the successful Safe and Healthy Communities Program, which is in place in five Pennsylvania counties already.
Daley said the legislation also reflects years of bipartisan work that began in the aftermath of the tragedies at Second Mile. She added that it recognizes the ongoing and often unseen work addressing child sexual abuse, or CSA, occurring across the state.
“Child sexual abuse does not conform to ZIP codes, cities, genders, ages, neighborhoods or tax brackets. It exists across all demographics,” Daley said. “That is why prevention must start early, be consistent and reach every community in Pennsylvania.”
The bill now heads to the state Senate for consideration.
“Child abuse and child sexual abuse are not partisan issues, and they do not take a day off,” Daley said. “I look forward to swift action from our colleagues in the Senate.”