This bill amends Section 16-22-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-22, which pertains to the curriculum in public and state-managed schools. It mandates that all school districts, private schools, mayoral academies, and charter schools include instruction in health and physical education. The Department of Education is required to develop guidelines, rules, and regulations for these institutions and make available curriculum materials that assist in developing instructional material on the multiple dimensions of health, including mental health and its relation to physical health.

Specifically, the bill requires every school district to provide a four-hour unit of instruction on mental health and the relationship between physical and mental health for all seventh-grade students, commencing with the 2027-2028 school year and continuing each school year thereafter. The curriculum materials and guidelines will be developed by the Department of Education in consultation with groups and individuals with expertise in mental health and mental illness treatment.

Statutes affected:
7116: 16-22-4