HB 1270 Summary

• Establishes the Health Education for Middle Schools Act of 2011, requiring health education instruction in grades 6-8 contingent upon legislative funding.

• School districts may select which grade level (6, 7, or 8) to teach health education as a separate semester course using state-adopted textbooks.

• Requires instruction to cover 10 minimum units: physical activity, nutrition, alcohol/tobacco/drugs, behavioral health, oral health, environmental health, growth and development, injury prevention, bullying prevention, and wellness.

• Teachers must hold state certification in health education to teach the course.

• Students may be exempted from specific units if a parent/guardian submits a signed statement that the content conflicts with sincerely held moral or religious beliefs.