MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Education

By: Representatives Scott (80th), Bailey, Banks, Bozeman, Broomfield, Clark, Clarke, Coleman (65th), Evans, Middleton, Morris, Myers, Smith (27th), Thomas, Thornton, Walker, Watson

AN ACT TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-135, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO PROVIDE THAT BY THE 2001-2002 SCHOOL YEAR, EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT SHALL IMPLEMENT THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM IN GRADES K THROUGH 12; TO AMEND SECTION 37-13-131, MISSISSIPPI CODE OF 1972, TO REQUIRE THE COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL HEALTH EDUCATION PROGRAM TO INCLUDE THE TEACHING OF AND STRESSING THE ADVANTAGES OF TOTAL ABSTINENCE FROM PREMARITAL SEXUAL ACTIVITY; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. Section 37-13-135, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-135. (1) In addition to all other authority, duties and powers the school boards of the school districts of this state may * * * have, each shall adopt plans for the implementation of the Comprehensive School Health Education Program into the local school curriculum. By the 2001-2002 school year, each school district shall implement the Comprehensive School Health Education Program in Grades K through 12, in accordance with the following schedule: Beginning with the 1999-2000 school year, each school district shall implement the program in Grades 6 through 8, in addition to implementing it in one (1) of the Grades 9 through 12. Beginning with the 2000-2001 school year, each school district shall implement the program in Grades 3 through 5, and beginning with the 2001-2002 school year, each school district shall implement the program in Grades K through 12.

(2) School boards shall appoint a local health education council to make recommendations regarding a comprehensive health education curriculum.

(3) There shall be cooperation between the State Department of Education, Office of Comprehensive School Health Education and the school boards of the several school districts in implementing this program as it best suits the needs of the individual districts.

(4) The Commission on School Accreditation shall encourage the development of plans of comprehensive school health education and the implementation thereof.

SECTION 2. Section 37-13-131, Mississippi Code of 1972, is amended as follows:

37-13-131. (1) The State Department of Education is designated as the state agency responsible for the administration and supervision of the Comprehensive School Health Education Program as an educational curriculum in the State of Mississippi. It is the intent of the Legislature that all funds made available to the State Department of Education for the purpose of comprehensive school health education shall be administered by the State Department of Education.

(2) Pursuant to the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, the State Department of Education is authorized to establish an Office of Comprehensive School Health Education within the framework of the State Department of Education for the purpose of developing standards, procedures and criteria for the administration and supervision of a statewide program of health education in Kindergarten through Grade 12. The State Department of Education, through the Office of Comprehensive School Health Education, shall assume the further responsibility for promoting a statewide effort designed to prepare local school faculties and staffs to incorporate the comprehensive health education concept into their local educational programs.

(3) The Mississippi Department of Health, in conjunction with the Office of Student Development-Branch of Health-Related Services of the State Department of Education, shall develop a long-range strategic plan for a Comprehensive School Health Education Program in Grades K through 12. The Comprehensive School Health Education Program shall encompass four (4) interdependent components: (a) health education; (b) health service; (c) physical education and fitness; and (d) a healthful school environment. These curriculum components shall be designed to develop decision-making competencies related to health and health behavior. Such curriculum components are intended to motivate health maintenance and promote wellness, not only to prevent disease or disability. The Mississippi Department of Health, in conjunction with the Office of Student Development-Branch of Health-Related Services of the Department of Education, shall develop the strategic plan and make a report thereon to the Governor and the Legislature on or before January 1, 1995.

(4) The Comprehensive School Health Education Program shall include the teaching of total abstinence from premarital sexual activity, identifying the advantages of abstinence and stressing that abstinence is the only method that is totally effective in preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1999.