Senate Bill 655 Summary

• Establishes the "Education for Healthy Youth Act" requiring all Arkansas public schools and charter schools to provide comprehensive health education to K-12 students by the 2021-2022 school year that is medically accurate, age-appropriate, and culturally appropriate.

• Mandates comprehensive sex education curriculum covering human development, anatomy, healthy relationships, consent, decision-making skills, contraception, abstinence, STI prevention, and pregnancy options, with trauma-informed and inclusive instruction addressing diverse student experiences.

• Requires curriculum to include instruction on dating violence prevention, sexual assault awareness, positive body image, internet safety, local health resources, and encouragement for youth to communicate with parents, faith leaders, and trusted adults about sexuality.

• Allows parents or legal guardians to request curricula and excuse their child from health education with written request, with no disciplinary action or academic penalty for excused students; schools may provide alternate assignments.

• Directs the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education to promulgate rules, develop state standards, establish instructor qualifications, and report biennially to the General Assembly on curriculum usage, student participation, and student excusals.