Bill Text: VA HB659 | 2016 | Regular Session | Prefiled
Bill Title: High school family life education curriculum; programs on prevention of dating violence, etc.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-2)
Status: (Passed) 2016-03-11 - Governor: Acts of Assembly Chapter text reprinted (CHAP0434) [HB659 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2016-HB659-Prefiled.html
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16101234D 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; training and education on relationships. A. As used in this section: "Consent" means affirmative, unambiguous, and voluntary agreement to engage in a specific sexual activity during a sexual encounter. "Sexual harassment" means unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, including unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature. "Sexual violence" means physical sexual acts perpetrated against an individual's will or perpetrated when or where an individual is incapable of giving consent. "Teen and adolescent dating violence" means violence committed by an individual who is in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. B. 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. C. Each local school division shall ensure that its health education program includes curricula for high school students that: 1. Incorporate elements of effective and evidence-based or evidence-informed programs that include training and education on (i) safe relationship behavior, including the prevention of teen and adolescent dating violence, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, and sexual violence; (ii) healthy relationships with family, other individuals, and society; and (iii) consent, communication skills, and emotional health, accountability, and well-being in relationships; and 2. Are medically accurate, age appropriate, developmentally appropriate, culturally appropriate, and linguistically appropriate and reflect the diverse circumstances and realities of students. 2. That the Department of Education shall provide guidance and technical assistance to local school divisions on the development and implementation of curricula pursuant to this act. |
