STATE OF OKLAHOMA

1st Session of the 54th Legislature (2013)

HOUSE BILL 2279	By:	Pittman

AS INTRODUCED

An Act relating to schools; creating the Health Education for Middle Schools Act of 2013; providing for the teaching of health education in the public schools contingent upon funding; providing that school district may determine when instruction is offered; providing for certain areas of instruction; providing that instruction shall be offered as a separate semester course; requiring teachers to hold a health and physical education certificate; allowing exemption from certain instruction under certain circumstances; requiring written notification of exemption in a manner to be determined by school district; encouraging local school districts to work with certain community-based organizations; requiring certain materials to comply with state law; requiring local school districts to notify parents or guardians of the names of community-based organizations; providing that certain copies be made available to parents or guardians upon request; providing for codification; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA:
SECTION 1.     NEW LAW     A new section of law to be codified in the Oklahoma Statutes as Section 11-103.6j of Title 70, unless there is created a duplication in numbering, reads as follows:
A.  This section shall be known and may be cited as the “Health Education for Middle Schools Act of 2013”.
B.  Contingent upon the appropriation of funding by the Legislature for this purpose, health education shall be taught in the public schools of this state during grade six, seven, or eight, in accordance with the Priority Academic Student Skills for Health and Safety adopted by the State Department of Education.  Each school district may determine which grade level, either grade six, seven, or eight, and by which methods, health education shall be taught.  At a minimum, the following ten units, which are incorporated in each textbook from the state-adopted health education textbook list, shall be used to fulfill the requirements:
1.  Physical activity;
2.  Nutrition;
3.  Alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs;
4.  Behavioral health;
5.  Oral health;
6.  Environmental health;
7.  Growth and development;
8.  Injury prevention; 
9.  Bullying prevention; and
10.  Wellness.
C.  Health education instruction shall be provided in a separate semester health education course utilizing curricula from the state-adopted health textbook list.  Online instruction shall be encouraged.
D.  Teachers instructing this course shall be certified by the State Board of Education to teach health education.
E.  Any student whose parent or guardian presents to the school principal a signed statement that any of the units identified in subsection B of this section conflict with his or her sincerely held moral or religious beliefs shall be exempt from instruction in that unit or units and no penalties as to credit or graduation shall result therefrom.  The school district shall provide prior written notification to the parents or guardians of the right of the student to be exempt from instruction as provided for in this subsection.  Each school district shall determine the means of providing written notification to the parents or guardians which will ensure effective notice in an efficient and appropriate manner.
F.  Local school districts shall be encouraged to work with community-based organizations, including county health departments, local hospitals, county extension offices, and other organizations with proven expertise in the subject areas that provide materials and resources, including personnel, in certain areas of instruction.  Any materials and resources provided or used to teach health education shall comply with all requirements of state law.  Local school districts shall be required to notify parents or guardians in advance of the names of the community-based organizations under this subsection.  Copies of the materials and resources provided by the community-based organizations must be made available to parents or guardians upon request.
SECTION 2.  This act shall become effective November 1, 2013.

54-1-6528	AM	01/03/13