Bill Text: VA HB603 | 2024 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: Public elementary and secondary schools; programs of instruction on mental health education.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 24-0)
Status: (Passed) 2024-04-17 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0812) [HB603 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB603-Prefiled.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §22.1-207 of the Code of Virginia is amended and reenacted as follows:
§22.1-207. Physical and health education.
A. Physical
and health education shall be emphasized throughout the public school
curriculum by lessons, drills, and physical exercises, and all pupils in the
public elementary, middle, and high schools shall receive as part of the
educational program such health instruction and physical training as shall be
prescribed by the Board of Education
and approved by the State Board of Health. Such health instruction shall
incorporate standards that recognize the multiple dimensions of health by
including at each grade level an
additional age-appropriate program or course of
instruction on mental health and the
relationship of physical and mental health so as to enhance
student understanding, awareness,
attitudes, and behavior that promote mental
health, well-being, and human dignity.
B. The Board shall develop and submit to the State Board of Health for approval mental health curriculum guidelines for an age-appropriate, sequential mental health curriculum for each grade level, kindergarten through grade 12. In developing such mental health curriculum guidelines, the Board may consult with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services or other mental health experts. Such mental health curriculum guidelines shall include instruction on the following topics:
1. General themes of social and emotional learning, including self-awareness, self-management, responsible decision making, relationship skills, and social awareness;
2. Signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges;
3. Mental health wellness and healthy strategies for coping with stress and negative feelings, including conflict resolution skills;
4. The importance of and guidance on seeking assistance from an adult or mental health professional, including information on services offered within the school or the local school division;
5. The prevalence of mental health challenges and the importance of overcoming common stigmas surrounding such mental health challenges;
6. The importance of mental health to the student's overall well-being, including physical health and academic success; and
Such health instruction
may include an age-appropriate
program of instruction on the 7. At such grade levels as
the Board deems appropriate, the connection
between mental health and substance use disorders and the safe
use of and risks of abuse of prescription drugs that is
consistent with curriculum guidelines developed by the Board and approved by
the State Board of Health.
C. Each local school board shall adopt and implement policies requiring age-appropriate, sequential mental health instruction be provided at each public school once at each grade level, kindergarten through grade 12. Such policies shall require any mental health instruction offered to be consistent with the mental health curriculum guidelines for the applicable grade level developed by the Board pursuant to subsection B.
D. The Board shall not be required to evaluate student achievement concerning the mental health curriculum guidelines or instruction in the Standards of Learning assessments required by §22.1-253.13:3.
2. That the Board of Education shall review and update the health Standards of Learning for students in each grade level, kindergarten through grade 12, to include instruction on the mental health curriculum guidelines developed pursuant to §22.1-207 of the Code of Virginia, as amended by this act, by the beginning of the 2025–2026 school year.
