Bill > HB1031

This bill creates the Arkansas Healthy Lifestyle Education Act of 2025, which mandates a comprehensive health curriculum for students in grades 7-12 in public schools, addressing critical health issues in response to Arkansas's poor national health rankings. The bill requires schools to provide evidence-based instruction in five key areas: mental health (including suicide prevention and crisis recognition), substance abuse and addiction (covering prescription and illicit drug abuse), diet and obesity (focusing on preventing health issues like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes), tobacco use prevention and cessation (including information about e-cigarettes and vaping), and teenage pregnancy prevention (covering abstinence, contraception, consent, and healthy relationships). Parents can request to exempt their children from the teenage pregnancy prevention portion of the curriculum. The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education must develop evidence-based health resources in consultation with medical professionals and provide professional development support for teachers implementing the new curriculum. This legislation aims to address Arkansas's low national rankings in student health metrics, including high rates of suicide consideration, obesity, teen pregnancy, and tobacco use.

Education

https://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/Bills/Detail?id=hb1031&ddBienniumSession=2025%2F2025R