Madison, Wis.—Today, Representative Priscilla A. Prado delivered her maiden speech on the Assembly Floor in support of AB 74. The bill mandates that when a report of sexual misconduct by a school staff member is received by the school’s administration, the parents or guardians of any student involved must be notified within 24 hours. Rep. Prado released the following remarks on AB 74:
“It is vitally important to me to be able to trust that school staff and administrators are acting in the best interest of the students when sexual misconduct occurs. This bill is a commitment to keeping our children safe and to fostering the trust between [school] administration and parents.
“I will always be an advocate for children’s safety and their right to be and feel safe, especially in schools. Whether it’s high school or elementary school, they are just kids who can easily be targets for adults with malicious intentions. They don’t know better and it is our responsibility as parents and as educators to protect them.
“Trust is not a one-way street, and it is not easily given within the large Latino constituency I represent; it is earned, and I hope that the passage of AB 74 will help bridge that gap between school administration and parents.
“More than 50% of District 9 is Hispanic, and I have an obligation to show up for them and be their advocate. My community needs me to be their voice in Madison, and that’s exactly what my intention was here today on the floor.”
