CHAPTER 799

An Act to direct the Board of Education to require health literacy instruction in grades nine and 10 and remove any duplicative or outdated health instruction in the next regularly scheduled revision of the Health Education Standards of Learning.

[H 462]

Approved April 13, 2026

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. § 1. The Board of Education (the Board), during its next regularly scheduled revision of the Health Education Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework, shall, in consultation with the School Health Services Committee (the Committee) established pursuant to Chapter 64 (§ 30-409 et seq.) of Title 30 of the Code of Virginia:

1. Develop a health care literacy program of instruction to be required in grades nine and 10 for the purpose of helping students navigate the health care system efficiently and effectively and shall consider the following topics and content for inclusion in such instruction:

a. Navigating the health care system as a patient, including patient concerns such as understanding, communication, cost-effective utilization, digital access, finance, and insurance;

b. Accessing health information, including being able to find and retrieve reliable health information from various sources;

c. Understanding health information, including comprehending medical terminology, statistics, and instructions;

d. Evaluating health information, including assessing the credibility and relevance of health information sources;

e. Applying health information, including making informed decisions about health behaviors, treatments, and resources; and

f. Communicating with health care providers, including effectively communicating health concerns and questions to health care professionals; and

2. Identify and remove from the Health Education Standards of Learning and Curriculum Framework for grades nine and 10 any instructional subjects or topics the inclusion of which is duplicative or outdated.