(a) Annually, in either the month of October for a one-semester course taught in the fall or the month of February for a one-semester course taught in the spring, a unit on dating violence awareness shall be taught as a component of a health course offered in grades seven through twelve (7-12).
(b) A unit on dating violence awareness shall:
(1) Focus on healthy relationships, including the characteristics of healthy relationships;
(2) Teach students the definition of dating violence and abuse, including without limitation:
(A) Warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior; and
(B) Measures to stop or prevent dating violence and abusive behavior;
(3) Inform students about resources and reporting procedures for dating violence or abuse; and
(4) Examine the common misconceptions and stereotypes about dating violence and abuse.
(c) (1) Materials used to teach a unit in dating violence awareness shall be age appropriate.
(2) Information provided shall be objective and based on scientific research that is peer-reviewed and accepted by professionals and credentialed experts in the field of health education.
(d) The Department of Education shall annually provide a list of source materials available for school districts to use to teach a unit on dating violence awareness, including without limitation materials from:
(1) The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
(2) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
(3) The National Domestic Violence Hotline;
(4) The National Institutes of Health; and
(5) Other sources of scientifically based research that are peer-reviewed.
Section: Previous 6-16-1002 6-16-1003 6-16-1004Last modified: November 15, 2016