§ 131 - Definitions - Vermont Statutes

§ 131. Definitions

For the purposes of this subchapter:

Paragraph effective until July 1, 2011; see paragraph set out below.

"Comprehensive health education" means a systematic and extensive elementary and secondary educational program designed to provide a variety of learning experiences based upon knowledge of the human organism as it functions within its environment. The term includes, but is not limited to, a study of:

Paragraph effective July 1, 2011; see paragraph set out above.

For the purposes of this subchapter, "comprehensive health education" means a systematic and extensive elementary and secondary educational program designed to provide a variety of learning experiences based upon knowledge of the human organism as it functions within its environment. The term includes the study of:

(1) Body structure and function, including the physical, psychosocial and psychological basis of human development, sexuality and reproduction;

(2) Community health to include environmental health, pollution, public health and world health;

(3) Safety including first aid, disaster prevention and accident prevention;

(4) Disease, such as HIV infection, other sexually transmitted diseases, as well as other communicable diseases, and the prevention of disease;

(5) Family health and mental health, including instruction which promotes the development of responsible personal behavior involving decision making about sexual activity including abstinence; skills which strengthen existing family ties involving communication, cooperation, and interaction between parents and students; and instruction to aid in the establishment of strong family life in the future, thereby contributing to the enrichment of the community; and which promotes an understanding of depression and the signs of suicide risk in a family member or fellow student that includes how to respond appropriately and seek help and provides an awareness of the available school and community resources such as the local suicide crisis hotline;

(6) Personal health habits including dental health;

(7) Consumer health including health careers, health costs and utilizing health services;

(8) Human growth and development, including understanding the physical, emotional and social elements of individual development and interpersonal relationships including instruction in parenting methods and styles. This shall include information regarding the possible outcomes of premature sexual activity, contraceptives, adolescent pregnancy, childbirth, adoption, and abortion;

Subdivision (9) effective until July 1, 2011; see subdivision (9) set out below.

(9) Drugs including education about alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and prescribed drugs; and

Subdivision (9) effective July 1, 2011; see subdivision (9) set out above.

(9) Drugs including education about alcohol, caffeine, nicotine and prescribed drugs;

Subdivision (10) effective until July 1, 2011; see subdivision (10) set out below.

(10) Nutrition.

Subdivision (10) effective July 1, 2011; see subdivision (10) set out above.

(10) Nutrition; and

Subdivision (11) effective July 1, 2011.

(11) How to recognize and prevent sexual abuse and sexual violence, including developmentally appropriate instruction about promoting healthy and respectful relationships, developing and maintaining effective communication with trusted adults, recognizing sexually offending behaviors, and gaining awareness of available school and community resources. (Added 1977, No. 131 (Adj. Sess.), § 1, eff. March 3, 1978; amended 1987, No. 270 (Adj. Sess.), § 1; 2005, No. 114 (Adj. Sess.), § 2; 2009, No. 1, § 3, eff. July 1, 2011.)