Arkansas Code of 1987 (2023)
Title 6 - EDUCATION (§§ 6-1-101 — 6-87-104)
Subtitle 2 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 6-10-101 — 6-28-206)
Chapter 16 - CURRICULUM (§§ 6-16-101 — 6-16-1902)
Subchapter 10 - HEALTH EDUCATION (§§ 6-16-1001 — 6-16-1007)
Section 6-16-1004 - Dating violence awareness

• (a) Annually, in either the month of October for a one-semester course taught in the fall or the month of February for a one-semester course taught in the spring, a unit on dating violence awareness shall be taught as a component of a health course offered in grades seven through twelve (7-12).

• (b) A unit on dating violence awareness shall:
  • (1) Focus on healthy relationships, including the characteristics of healthy relationships;
  • (2) Teach students the definition of dating violence and abuse, including without limitation:
    • (A) Warning signs of dating violence and abusive behavior; and
    • (B) Measures to stop or prevent dating violence and abusive behavior;
  • (3) Inform students about resources and reporting procedures for dating violence or abuse; and
  • (4) Examine the common misconceptions and stereotypes about dating violence and abuse.

• (c)
  • (1) Materials used to teach a unit in dating violence awareness shall be age appropriate.
  • (2) Information provided shall be objective and based on scientific research that is peer-reviewed and accepted by professionals and credentialed experts in the field of health education.

• (d) The Division of Elementary and Secondary Education shall annually provide a list of source materials available for school districts to use to teach a unit on dating violence awareness, including without limitation materials from:
  • (1) The Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence;
  • (2) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;
  • (3) The National Domestic Violence Hotline;
  • (4) The National Institutes of Health; and
  • (5) Other sources of scientifically based research that are peer-reviewed.

Amended by Act 2019, No. 910,§ 1351, eff. 7/1/2019.

Added by Act 2015, No. 952,§ 1, eff. 7/22/2015.