HB 719

Abstract

Public high schools; research-based hazing prevention instruction. Requires the Board of Education to develop Standards of Learning and curriculum guidelines for research-based hazing prevention instruction to be provided as a part of physical or health education instruction provided to students in grade nine or 10. The bill requires such hazing prevention instruction to include age-appropriate, extensive, and current education about hazing, including (i) examples of hazing; (ii) the dangers of hazing, including the consequences of alcohol intoxication; and (iii) school policies and laws related to hazing, including criminal penalties and bystander intervention. The bill requires such research-based hazing prevention instruction to be offered in-person but requires each school board to provide options for virtual participation for any student who is enrolled in an online or virtual physical or health education program. Finally, the bill requires each school board to provide such research-based hazing prevention instruction beginning with the school year following the Board's adoption of revised Standards of Learning for physical and health education for grades nine and 10 incorporating such research-based hazing prevention instruction and directs the Board to, in the intermediary time, develop and post on its website guidance documents for the purpose of making such research-based hazing prevention instruction available to local school boards. This bill is identical to SB 379.

Public high schools; research-based hazing prevention instruction. Requires each local school board to develop a programof research-based hazing prevention instruction to be provided tostudents in grade nine or 10 as a part of their physical and health education. The bill requires such hazing prevention instruction to include age-appropriate, extensive and current education about hazing, including (i) examples of hazing; (ii) the dangers of hazing, includingthe consequences of alcohol intoxication; and (iii) school policiesand laws related to hazing, including criminal penalties and bystanderintervention. The bill requires such research-based hazing preventioninstruction to be offered in-person and, for any student who is enrolledin an online or virtual physical or health education program, virtually.The bill also directs the Board of Education to incorporate such hazingprevention instruction into the Standards of Learning for physicaland health education for students in grade nine or 10. Under currentlaw, activities designed to prevent the recurrence of violence andcrime, including hazing, is required but no time frame is specifiednor specific program on hazing prevention required as part of the Standards of Learning. The bill requires such research-based hazingprevention instruction to be implemented beginning with the 2025-2026school year.