§ 6-16-1004 — Dating violence awareness

Arkansas § 6-16-1004

• Jurisdiction: Arkansas
• Title: 6

Text

(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 Division of Elementary and Secondary 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.

Legislative History

Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1351, eff. 7/1/2019. Added by Act 2015, No. 952,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.