2023 -- H 5084

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LC000167

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

     

     Introduced By: Representatives J Lombardi, Hull, Ajello, Kislak, and Felix

     Date Introduced: January 12, 2023

     Referred To: House Education

     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, except as provided in § 16-100-3(d), shall receive in

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those schools instruction in health and physical education under rules and regulations the

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department of elementary and secondary education may prescribe or approve during periods that

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shall average at least twenty (20) minutes in each school day. No private school or private

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instruction shall be approved by any school committee for the purposes of chapter 19 of this title

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as substantially equivalent to that required by law of a child attending a public school in the same

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city or town unless instruction in health and physical education similar to that required in public

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

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shall be based on the health education standards of the Rhode Island health education framework:

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health 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 standards

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of the Rhode Island physical education framework: supporting physically active lifestyles through

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quality physical education as promulgated by the Rhode Island department of education and

 

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consistent with the instructional outcomes therein.

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

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

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hospitals, substance abuse prevention and suicide prevention into the health education curriculum.

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For the purpose of this section, “substance abuse prevention” means the implementation of

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evidence-based, age-appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to the use and abuse of

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alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs; “suicide prevention” means the implementation of evidence-

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based, appropriate programs, practices, or curricula related to mental health awareness and suicide

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prevention. Further, “substance abuse prevention” and suicide prevention programs shall

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specifically include information provided to students that mixing opioids and alcohol can cause

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accidental death.

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     (c) The department of education shall promulgate guidelines, rules and regulations for

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every school district, private school, mayoral academy, and charter school and make available on

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its website, curriculum materials and such other materials as may assist local and regional school

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committees, and governing bodies of any private school, mayoral academy, or charter school in

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developing instructional material on the multiple dimensions of health by including mental health

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and the relation of physical and mental health so as to enhance student understanding, attitudes and

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behaviors that promote health, well-being and human dignity. The curriculum material and the

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guidelines shall be developed by the department of education in consultation with groups and

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individuals having an interest and expertise in the field of mental health and mental illness

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treatment.

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     (d) Every school district shall include in its curriculum for all seventh grade students, a

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four (4) hour unit of instruction on mental health and the relation of physical and mental health.

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School districts may utilize materials provided by the department of education and the curriculum

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shall be provided for the 2024-2025 school year and each school year thereafter.

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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 education to develop and make available for use

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in all schools a mental health curriculum. School districts would be required to provide four (4)

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hours of mental health instruction to seventh grade students commencing with the 2024-2025

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school year and every school year thereafter.

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     This act would take effect upon passage.

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