H.R. 5065 — Preventing Sexual Abuse of K–12 Students Act of 2025

This section states seven congressional findings concerning child sexual abuse and misconduct in schools, including that victims face elevated risks of guilt, shame, low self-esteem, substance abuse, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder; that 9.6% of secondary school students reported sexual misconduct by school personnel (per a 2004 Department of Education study); that only 42 states had codes of conduct for school personnel in 2014 (per a Government Accountability Office report), with 22 addressing appropriate relationships and 18 mandating sexual abuse awareness training; and that Title IX requires schools receiving federal funds to protect students from such abuse.

This section requires each state receiving funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to direct local educational agencies to develop codes of conduct preventing sexual abuse of students—covering school personnel-student and student-student relationships—and to train school personnel on those codes, child abuse reporting laws, Title IX protections, and sexual abuse prevention (new section 8549D). Authorizes use of funds from four ESEA programs for this training—(1) Enhancing State Assessments grants to states, (2) state activities under Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction), (3) local uses under Title II-A, and (4) Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants under Title IV-A—effective two years after enactment.

This section directs the Secretary of Education, not later than one year after enactment, to conduct a study on the incidence of sexual abuse of elementary and secondary school students by other students and school personnel and to submit a report to Congress with recommendations for preventing such abuse.