Bill > H339

This bill amends existing Massachusetts law to mandate health education in schools, specifying that the standards for this education must be age-appropriate and medically accurate, covering a broad range of topics including physical development, nutrition, sexuality, mental health, safety, substance abuse prevention, and community health. It also clarifies that the Massachusetts Comprehensive Health Curriculum Framework serves as a guide for local school districts in developing their health education programs and requires that parents or guardians be notified about any curriculum primarily involving human sexual education, with the option to exempt their children from such portions without penalty. Furthermore, the bill ensures that instructional materials are accessible for review and states that this act does not require a standardized test, known as an MCAS exam, on health education, while also calling for a re-evaluation of school funding to ensure adequate resources for implementing the new health education requirements.