Chapter 116

Enacted 07/02/2018

Chapter 116
2018 -- H 7044 SUBSTITUTE A
Enacted 07/02/2018

A N   A C T
RELATING TO EDUCATION -- CURRICULUM

Introduced By: Representatives Solomon, Blazejewski, McKiernan, Serpa, and Fellela
Date Introduced: January 03, 2018

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 developmentally appropriate elements of
effective and evidence-based programs on the law and meaning of consent. Such age-appropriate
and developmentally-appropriate 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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LC003070/SUB A
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