§ 6-16-161 — Adoption awareness education - Instruction required

Arkansas § 6-16-161

• Jurisdiction: Arkansas
• Title: 6

Text

(a) (1) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, each public school in the state shall provide instruction on adoption awareness to students enrolled in grades six through twelve (6-12) at the public school for a period of time not to exceed one (1) hour during each school year. (2) (A) A public school shall provide the one (1) hour of adoption awareness instruction required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section at the beginning of each school year. (B) A public school may require that the adoption awareness instruction required under subdivision (a)(1) of this section is provided: (i) During a regular class period; or (ii) At a special event organized for purposes of providing the required adoption awareness instruction. (b) The State Board of Education shall develop curricula, standards, materials, and units relating to adoption awareness instruction required by subsection (a) of this section. (c) Adoption awareness instruction required by subsection (a) of this section shall include without limitation: (1) The benefits of adoption to society; (2) The types of adoption available; (3) The difference between adoption through the foster care system and private adoption; (4) The reasons adoption is preferable to abortion; (5) Public and private resources and agencies available to assist in the adoption process; (6) Statistical data on abortion, adoption, and childbirth; (7) Public and private resources available for pregnant mothers and parents enrolled in a public school; and (8) A description of child and human development. (d) A public school shall provide any information provided to students under this section that was in written form to the parent, legal guardian, or person standing in loco parentis to a pregnant student who is enrolled in the public school.

Legislative History

Added by Act 2023, No. 637,§ 1, eff. 8/1/2023.