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2024 SESSION
24101069DBe 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 and that the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section number 22.1-207.1:2 as follows:
§ 22.1-207. Physical and health education.
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 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. Any
such health instruction offered to students in grades four through eight may
incorporate a program of instruction on menstrual education pursuant to the
provisions of § 22.1-207.1:2.
§ 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 offered to students in grades four through eight may incorporate a program of instruction on menstrual education pursuant to the provisions of § 22.1-207.1:2.
§ 22.1-207.1:2. Instruction on menstrual education.
A. The Board shall develop Standards of Learning objectives and accompanying curriculum guidelines for instruction on menstrual education to be provided at grade levels four through eight, that shall be required of every student, regardless of gender. Such Standards of Learning objectives and accompanying curriculum guidelines shall include, at such grade levels as the Board deems appropriate, instruction on:
1. The biological processes and functions of the menstrual cycle, including the menstrual cycle at different stages of human development, from puberty to menopause;
2. Information on symptoms and side effects of the menstrual cycle, including premenstrual syndrome, menstrual cramps and safe pain management, menstrual cycle management, menstrual disorders, and menstrual irregularities;
3. Societal and cultural attitudes toward the menstrual cycle, including awareness of the impacts of stigmas surrounding the menstrual cycle on health and the behavior of individuals and the importance of destigmatizing the menstrual cycle; and
4. Other topics relating to the menstrual cycle.
B. Each school board shall offer at grade levels four through eight instruction on menstrual education, consistent with the Standards of Learning objectives and accompanying curriculum guidelines developed by the Board pursuant to subsection A. Each school board may provide such instruction on menstrual education as a part of an existing family life education program of instruction, pursuant to subsection F of § 22.1-207.1:1, or as a part of an existing health education program, pursuant to § 22.1-207, provided that any such instruction on menstrual education shall be provided to each student at each grade level, four through eight, regardless of gender.