2025 SESSION

INTRODUCED

25101429D

HOUSE BILL NO. 2440

Offered January 13, 2025

Prefiled January 8, 2025

A BILL to amend and reenact §§ 22.1-207 and 22.1-207.1:1 of the Code of Virginia, relating to health education and family life education; certain videos and animations relating to human development inside the uterus.

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Patron—Scott, P.A.

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Referred to Committee on Education

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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 and approved by the State Board of Health. Such health instruction 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 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. Such health instruction shall also include the following topics:

1. General themes of life skills, 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 connection between mental health and substance use disorders; and

7. The importance of mental health to the student's overall well-being, including physical health and academic success.

B. The Board shall develop Standards of Learning and curriculum guidelines for research-based hazing prevention instruction to be provided as a part of physical or health education instruction provided to students in grade nine or 10. Such Standards of Learning and curriculum guidelines for such research-based hazing prevention instruction shall include age-appropriate, extensive, and current education about hazing, including (i) examples of hazing; (ii) the dangers of hazing, including the consequences of alcohol intoxication; and (iii) school policies and laws relating to hazing, including criminal penalties and bystander intervention.

C. Each local school board shall provide as a part of physical or health education instruction provided to students in grade nine or 10 research-based hazing prevention instruction in accordance with the Standards of Learning and curriculum guidelines developed by the Board pursuant to subsection B. Such research-based hazing prevention instruction shall be offered in person, provided that each local school board shall provide options for virtual participation for any student who is enrolled in an online or virtual physical or health education program.

D. Each school board may provide, as a part of health instruction offered pursuant to subsection A, at such grade level in grades four through eight as the school board deems appropriate, a program of instruction on menstrual education.

E. Each school board shall include, as a part of health instruction offered pursuant to subsection A, an oral, written, or digital lesson, lecture, or presentation about human biology relating to pregnancy and human development inside the uterus, including:

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.

§ 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.