2018 -- H 7044 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2018

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Solomon, Blazejewski, McKiernan, Serpa, and Fellela

     Date Introduced: January 03, 2018

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled

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"Curriculum [See Title 16 Chapter 97 - The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby

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amended to read as follows:

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     16-22-18. Health and family life courses.

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     (a) Every secondary school teaching courses in family life or sex education within this

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state shall include, as part of the course instruction, abstinence from sexual activity and refraining

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from sexual intercourse as the preferred method of pregnancy prevention and the prevention of

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sexually transmitted diseases. Provided further, part of the course instruction may incorporate

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age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based

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programs on the law and meaning of consent. Such age-appropriate and developmentally-

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appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the prevention of pregnancy,

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sexually transmitted diseases and sexual violence may include instruction that increases student

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awareness of the fact that consent is required before sexual activity.

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     (b) Upon written request to the school principal, a pupil not less than eighteen (18) years

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of age or a parent or legal guardian of a pupil less than eighteen (18) years of age, within a

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reasonable period of time after the request is made, shall be permitted to examine the curriculum

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program instruction materials at the school in which his or her child is enrolled.

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     (c) A parent or legal guardian may exempt his or her child from the program by written

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directive to the principal of the school. No child so exempted shall be penalized academically by

 

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reason of the exemption.

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     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

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     This act would permit that age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate education on

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consent and sexual activity be increased in secondary schools as part of a family life course.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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