The bill aims to improve public school student health in West Virginia by establishing a heart health program for children in grades three through six. It requires active participation in nutrition and aerobic exercise classes for a continuous 12-week period, including at least 20 minutes of aerobic exercise three days a week and proper nutrition education through various educational formats. Schools must allocate time during the school day for these activities and track students' progress. Additionally, school districts are permitted to contract with qualified service providers to deliver these programs. The bill also amends existing laws to emphasize the importance of physical activity in combating childhood obesity and related health risks, with new section 18-2-7h stating that the heart health program's requirements take precedence over any conflicting existing laws.

In addition to health initiatives, the bill enhances educational requirements by mandating CPR instruction in local school districts, which may include the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) taught by authorized instructors. It establishes "Celebrate Freedom Week" for instruction on foundational American documents and requires students to take a civics test similar to the naturalization test. Furthermore, high school students must earn one credit in computer science, which can substitute for a math or personalized education plan credit. The bill outlines criteria for computer science courses to meet state curriculum standards and allows for flexibility in course delivery. The State Board of Education will provide a list of approved courses and may adopt rules to facilitate implementation, including options for licensing computer science teachers. Overall, the legislation seeks to enhance students' health education, civic knowledge, and technology skills.

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