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1998 SESSION

986025260
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 114
Offered January 22, 1998
Requesting the Department of Education to administer a youth risk-behavior survey.
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Patrons-- Thomas, Bloxom, Christian, Clement, Cranwell, Croshaw, Darner, DeBoer, Deeds, Diamonstein, Dickinson, Hall, Hull, Jackson, Joannou, Johnson, Jones, J.C., Keating, Melvin, Moran, Murphy, Parrish, Phillips, Plum, Puller, Rhodes, Robinson, Spruill, Stump, Tate, Van Landingham, Van Yahres, Williams and Woodrum; Senator: Gartlan
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Referred to Committee on Rules
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WHEREAS, the National Public Health Service reports that people between the ages of 15 and 24 are at a special risk of developing behaviors that may later become permanent health hazards; and

WHEREAS, research demonstrates that youth problem behaviors are linked to specific, identifiable risk factors and can be prevented; and

WHEREAS, an ongoing measurement protocol for these health risk behaviors must be established in order to accurately monitor the incidence and prevalence of problem behaviors among Virginia's youth; and

WHEREAS, up-to-date statistics describing youth risk behavior are needed in every locality to accurately plan and evaluate the impact of prevention programs; and

WHEREAS, a youth risk-behavior survey administered in 1993 to 1,923 students in 35 Virginia high schools by the Department of Education provided localities with a preliminary snapshot of youth involvement in problem behaviors; and

WHEREAS, the survey was discontinued by the Department of Education in 1994; and

WHEREAS, in 1997, the Virginia Congress of Parents and Teachers endorsed the assessment of youth-risk behaviors "....provided that it protects the privacy of students, allows parents/guardians the right to opt-out their students, and participation is voluntary"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Education be requested to administer a youth risk-behavior survey in all localities of the Commonwealth and report the results of the survey and the Department's recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly by November 1, 1999, as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.