HB 1842 Summary

• Creates the Health Education for Middle Schools Act of 2013, requiring health education instruction in grades 6-8 contingent upon legislative funding appropriation.

• Mandates instruction in 10 core areas: physical activity, nutrition, alcohol/tobacco/drugs, behavioral health, oral health, environmental health, growth and development, injury prevention, bullying prevention, and wellness using state-adopted textbooks.

• Requires health education be offered as a separate semester course with state-certified health and physical education teachers, with online instruction encouraged.

• Allows students to be exempted from specific units if parents/guardians submit signed statements that content conflicts with their sincerely held moral or religious beliefs, with no academic penalties.

• Encourages school districts to partner with community-based organizations (health departments, hospitals, extension offices) for instructional materials and resources, requiring advance parent notification and making materials available upon request.