GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2013
H D
HOUSE DRH30295-MH-130 (03/26)
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Short Title: Teen Dating Violence Prevention Act. |
(Public) |
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Sponsors: |
Representative Horn. |
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Referred to: |
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide for the education of north carolina high school students about teen dating violence and abuse.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 115C-81(e1)(4a) reads as rewritten:
"§ 115C-81. Basic Education Program.
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(e1) School Health Education Program to Be Developed and Administered.
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(4a) Each local school administrative unit shall also include as part of the instruction required under subdivision (4) of this subsection the following instruction:
a. Teaches about sexually transmitted diseases. Instruction shall include how sexually transmitted diseases are and are not transmitted, the effectiveness and safety of all federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved methods of reducing the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, and information on local resources for testing and medical care for sexually transmitted diseases. Instruction shall include the rates of infection among pre-teen and teens of each known sexually transmitted disease and the effects of contracting each sexually transmitted disease. In particular, the instruction shall include information about the effects of contracting the Human Papilloma Virus, including sterility and cervical cancer.
b. Teaches about the effectiveness and safety of all FDA-approved contraceptive methods in preventing pregnancy.
c. Teaches awareness of dating violence and abuse, sexual assault, sexual abuse, and risk reduction. The instruction and materials shall:
1. Focus on
healthy relationships.relationships, including the characteristics of
healthy relationships.
2. Teach students what constitutes sexual assault and sexual abuse, the causes of those behaviors, and risk reduction.
2a. Teach students the definition of dating violence and abuse, the warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior, and measures to prevent and stop dating violence and abuse.
3. Inform
students about resources and reporting procedures if they experience sexual
assault or sexual abuse.dating violence or abuse, sexual assault, or
sexual abuse.
4. Examine common misconceptions and stereotypes about dating violence and abuse, sexual assault and sexual abuse.
Materials used in this instruction shall be age appropriate for use with students. Information conveyed during the instruction shall be objective and based upon scientific research that is peer reviewed and accepted by professionals and credentialed experts in the field of sexual health education. Each local board of education shall adopt a policy and provide a mechanism to allow a parent or a guardian to withdraw his or her child from instruction required under this subdivision.
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SECTION 2. Subchapter VI of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 29D.
"Student Dating Violence and Abuse Prevention.
"§ 115C-407.25. Policy against dating violence and abuse.
Not later than July 1, 2014, each local board of education shall adopt and implement a dating violence and abuse policy. The policy shall do the following:
(1) Prohibit dating violence and abuse by any student on school property, during a school-sponsored activity, or during school-sponsored transportation.
(2) Provide procedures for responding to such incidents of dating violence or abuse, including accommodations for students experiencing dating violence or abuse.
(3) Define dating violence and abuse and provide for a teen dating violence and abuse component in the reproductive health and safety education program set forth in G.S. 115C-81(e1)(4a)(c).
(4) Be implemented in a manner that is integrated with each school district's discipline policies."
SECTION 3. Section 2 of this act is effective when it becomes law. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2014-2015 school year.