2017 -- H 5177 SUBSTITUTE A

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2017

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives O'Brien, Kazarian, Marshall, Bennett, and Solomon

     Date Introduced: January 19, 2017

     Referred To: House Health, Education & Welfare

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

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     SECTION 1. Section 16-22-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22 entitled "Curriculum

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

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as follows:

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     16-22-4. Instruction in health and physical education.

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     (a) All children in grades one through twelve (12) attending public schools, or any other

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schools managed and controlled by the state, shall receive in those schools instruction in health

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and physical education under rules and regulations the department of elementary and secondary

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education may prescribe or approve during periods which shall average at least twenty (20)

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minutes in each school day. No private school or private instruction shall be approved by any

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school committee for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title as substantially equivalent to that

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required by law of a child attending a public school in the same city and/or town unless

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instruction in health and physical education similar to that required in public schools shall be

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given. Commencing September 1, 2012, the required health education curriculum shall be based

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on the health education standards of the Rhode Island Health Education Framework: Health

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Literacy for All Students as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of education and

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consistent with the mandated health instructional outcomes therein. Commencing September 1,

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2012, the required physical education curriculum shall be based on the physical education

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standards of the Rhode Island Physical Education Framework: Supporting Physically Active

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Lifestyles through Quality Physical Education as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of

 

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education and consistent with the instructional outcomes therein.

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      (b) The department of elementary and secondary education shall consider, in

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consultation with the state department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and

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hospitals, the incorporation of substance abuse prevention and suicide prevention into the health

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education curriculum. For the purpose of this section, "substance abuse prevention" means the

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implementation of evidence-based, age appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to the

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use and abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; "suicide prevention" means the

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implementation of evidence-based appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to mental

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health awareness and suicide prevention.

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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 require the department of elementary and secondary education to

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consider incorporating substance abuse education and suicide prevention into the health education

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curriculum.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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