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:

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

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

amended to read as follows:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

reason of the exemption.

     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

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

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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