(a) On and after November 3, 2015, the Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board, in collaboration with all public university and community college presidents and chancellors or their designees, shall develop an action plan to address the prevention of unplanned pregnancies among older teens who are unmarried.
(b) The action plan shall:
(1) Incorporate unplanned pregnancy prevention information for students through advising and student orientation;
(2) Integrate information that is recognized as medically accurate by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists about the prevention of unplanned pregnancy into academic courses if and when appropriate, including without limitation abstinence education;
(3) Identify opportunities to raise awareness of and provide resources for the prevention of unplanned pregnancies across the entire student population;
(4) Identify opportunities for current students to reach out to younger teens to serve as mentors or role models, or both, of successful behaviors and healthy choices, including opportunities for outreach during summer vacation or during traditional after-school hours for grades kindergarten through twelve (K-12);
(5) Identify private or federal grants available to address the prevention of unplanned pregnancy and to promote student success, including any partnerships necessary to successfully compete for grants;
(6) Collaborate with the Department of Health or federally qualified health centers, or both, to promote access to care;
(7) Identify child care, transportation, financial aid, and other challenges specific to existing single parents; and
(8) Identify other topics or issues relating to the prevention and reduction of unplanned pregnancies among older teens.
(c) (1) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall present the action plan to the Legislative Council upon its completion but no later than November 3, 2015.
(2) The Arkansas Higher Education Coordinating Board shall report on the status of the action plan annually to:
(A) The Chair of the Senate Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor;
(B) The Chair of the House Committee on Public Health, Welfare, and Labor;
(C) The Chair of the Senate Committee on Education; and
(D) The Chair of the House Committee on Education.
(d) This section shall take effect on July 1, 2015.
Section: Previous 6-60-102 6-60-104 6-60-105 6-60-106 6-60-107 6-60-108 6-60-109 6-60-110 NextLast modified: November 15, 2016