Arizona lawmaker discusses legislation that requires sexual abuse reporting

PHOENIX — Arizona state Sen. Carine Werner sponsored a successful bill that requires teachers and other caretakers to report cases of sexual abuse.

It comes after the murder of a 14-year-old Native American girl, Emily Pike.

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed SB1437 on April 7. It will go into affect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns.

The legislation requires teachers or anyone “who has responsibility for the care or treatment” of a child to report any suspected sexual predation to one of several authorities, including the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).

Some of the other authorities are social agencies on Indian reservations — the precedent directly relating to Pike’s case — or peace officers in the area.

What does current law say about reporting sexual abuse?

Werner told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Mike Broomhead Show on Friday that caretakers in the past only had to report to school administrators and an internal investigation would be conducted. The new requirement, however, stipulates reports must be made to law enforcement.

She also specified that even if a teacher tells a school resource officer, that officer is then required to submit the suspicion to law enforcement in the given jurisdiction.

“When you have to report to law enforcement, it also takes away the chatter around (the situation). Maybe they thought something, but it wasn’t factual. Now, you’re removing the chatter that ends up in the media and going directly to someone who can decide if something happened or not,” Werner said.

“So, I think it’s going to serve those those individuals who are falsely accused (of reporting inaccurate information).”

Werner said she collaborated with local law enforcement as well as Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell when drafting this bill.

To underscore the bill’s importance, Werner cited an example of a school aide abusing a nonverbal student with autism. Werner said a teacher had reported the abuse “no less than 10 times” via email to the school’s assistant principal, but nothing was done about it until the aide was caught in the act.

As an effect of the new bill, a school administrator who is aware of sexual abuse but does not report it would be committing a class 6 felony.

A significant number of sexual predators in the education system are not apprehended until they have been employed at multiple schools, Werner said.

“I’m hoping with this bill, not only are people now reporting, I’m hoping the predators get out of our schools,” Werner said.

Arizona senator called for investigation of Pike’s murder

The District 4 state senator asked for a bipartisan hearing regarding the death of Pike.

Pike, who lived at a Mesa group home, went missing Jan. 29. Her remains were found Feb. 14 northeast of Globe, more than 80 miles from where she had last been seen.

Pike’s mother, Steff Dosela, told The Associated Press that the group home did not tell her of her daughter’s disappearance until a week had already passed.

Werner on X said the Arizona Department of Child Safety’s Joint Legislative Oversight Committee will meet next week to further discuss next steps.

“A key element we will look into is communication practices between DCS and tribal entities when caring for tribal children,” Werner posted on X.

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