SEARCH SITE
VIRGINIA LAW PORTAL
- Code of Virginia
- Virginia Administrative Code
- Constitution of Virginia
- Charters
- Authorities
- Compacts
- Uncodified Acts
- RIS Users (account required)
SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- Bills & Resolutions
session legislation - Bill Summaries
session summaries - Reports to the General Assembly
House and Senate documents - Legislative Liaisons
State agency contacts
ACROSS SESSIONS
- Subject Index: Since 1995
- Bills & Resolutions: Since 1994
- Summaries: Since 1994
Developed and maintained by the Division of Legislative Automated Systems.
2023 SESSION
23105605DBe 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 physical and 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. Understanding general themes of mental health and wellness;
2. Recognizing signs and symptoms of common mental health challenges;
3. Promoting mental health wellness and healthy strategies for coping with stress and negative feelings;
4. Seeking assistance from an adult or mental health professional, including information on services offered within the school or the local school division;
5. Promoting awareness of the prevalence of mental health challenges and the importance of overcoming common stigmas surrounding such mental health challenges;
6. Understanding 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 7. Understanding, 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 that 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 2024–2025 school year.