AR HB1685

Requires a unit on dating violence awareness to be taught annually in health courses for grades 7-12, scheduled for October (fall semester) or February (spring semester)

Unit curriculum must cover healthy relationships and their characteristics, definitions of dating violence and abuse, warning signs of abusive behavior, and prevention measures

Requires instruction to inform students about resources and reporting procedures for dating violence and examine common misconceptions and stereotypes about abuse

Mandates all materials be age-appropriate and based on objective, peer-reviewed scientific research accepted by health education professionals and credentialed experts

Directs the Department of Education to annually provide school districts with a list of approved source materials from organizations including the Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Domestic Violence Hotline