Bill Text: VA HB1516 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Health education and family life education; certain videos and animations relating to human dev.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-13 - Left in Education [HB1516 Detail]
Download: Virginia-2024-HB1516-Introduced.html
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That §§22.1-207 and 22.1-207.1:1 of the Code of Virginia are 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.
B. Such
health instruction shall:
1. Shall
incorporate standards that recognize the multiple dimensions of health by
including mental health and the relationship of physical and mental health so
as to enhance student understanding, attitudes, and behavior that promote
health, well-being, and human dignity. Such health instruction
may;
2. May include an age-appropriate program of instruction on 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; and
3. Shall include an oral, written, or digital lesson, lecture, or presentation about human biology relating to pregnancy and human development inside the uterus, including:
a. A high-definition ultrasound video, at least three minutes in duration, showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development; and
b. A high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation showing the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for each significant marker of pregnancy until birth.
§22.1-207.1:1. Family life education; certain curricula and Standards of Learning.
A. Any family life education curriculum offered by a local school division shall require the Standards of Learning objectives related to dating violence and the characteristics of abusive relationships to be taught at least once in middle school and at least twice in high school, as described in the Board's family life education guidelines.
B. Any high school family life education curriculum offered by a local school division shall incorporate age-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on (i) the prevention of dating violence, domestic abuse, sexual harassment, including sexual harassment using electronic means, sexual violence, and human trafficking and (ii) the law and meaning of consent. Such age-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the prevention of sexual violence may include instruction that increases student awareness of the fact that consent is required before sexual activity.
C. Any family life education curriculum offered in any elementary school, middle school, or high school shall incorporate age-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the importance of the personal privacy and personal boundaries of other individuals and tools for a student to use to ensure that he respects the personal privacy and personal boundaries of other individuals.
D. Any family life education curriculum offered by a local school division shall incorporate age-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the harmful physical and emotional effects of female genital mutilation; associated criminal penalties; and the rights of the victim, including any civil action pursuant to §8.01-42.5.
E. Any family life education curriculum offered by a local school division may incorporate age-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the prevention, recognition, and awareness of child abduction, child abuse, child sexual exploitation, child sexual abuse, and, in any such curriculum offered in high school, human trafficking of children.
F. Any family life education curriculum or similar curriculum offered by a local school division that includes any oral, written, or digital lesson, lecture, or presentation about sexual activity and pregnancy in the context of student health or healthy relationships shall also include:
1. A high-definition ultrasound video, at least three minutes in duration, showing the development of the brain, heart, sex organs, and other vital organs in early fetal development; and
2. A high-quality, computer-generated rendering or animation showing the process of fertilization and every stage of human development inside the uterus, noting significant markers in cell growth and organ development for each significant marker of pregnancy until birth.
