This bill aims to enhance public school student health and civics education in West Virginia by establishing a heart health program for children in grades three through six. It mandates that each child participate in nutrition and aerobic exercise classes for a continuous 12-week period during the instructional term, which includes at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week and proper nutrition education. Schools are required to allocate time for these activities and track students' progress. Additionally, local school districts may offer CPR instruction, which can include the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs), provided that the instruction is conducted by an authorized instructor.

The bill also designates a week of classes as "Celebrate Freedom Week," focusing on the foundational documents of the United States, and requires students to take a civics test similar to the naturalization test used by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, with results reported to the county board. The new section 18-2-7h specifies that the heart health program's requirements take precedence over any conflicting existing laws. Importantly, the bill clarifies that these educational requirements do not create standards subject to state accountability measures, ensuring a comprehensive approach to improving children's health and civic knowledge.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-2-7a, 18-2-9, 18-2-7h