Bill > H366

This bill aims to improve sexual health and violence prevention education in Massachusetts schools by requiring that health curriculums include instruction on condom use and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, as current rates of teen pregnancy and STIs like Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are concerning, and many students are not taught how to use condoms. Additionally, the bill mandates that health curriculums address violence prevention and its impact on students' development and mental health, noting that a significant percentage of high school students report feeling sad or hopeless. The legislation amends existing law to ensure that health education standards are age-appropriate, medically accurate, and evidence-based, covering a broad range of topics including reproduction, sexual health, mental health, interpersonal relationships, disease prevention, safety, and violence prevention, with a specific focus on teen dating violence and bullying. Finally, the bill requires the commissioner of education to report to legislative committees on how school districts are providing health education, including details on curriculum, teacher training, student participation, and time spent on various health education topics.