46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2003

RELATING TO HEALTH EDUCATION; INCLUDING HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN THE HEALTH EDUCATION CURRICULUM IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS; ENACTING THE HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION ACT.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO

Section 1. A new section of the Public School Code, Section 22-13C-1 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:

"22-13C-1. [NEW MATERIAL] SHORT TITLE.--Chapter 22, Article 13C NMSA 1978 may be cited as the "Health and Human Development Education Act"."

Section 2. A new section of the Public School Code, Section 22-13C-2 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:

"22-13C-2. [NEW MATERIAL] DEFINITIONS.-- As used in the Health and Human Development Education Act:

A. "health" means the overall condition of a human being at any point in time;

B. "health and human development education" means a curriculum that is available to students in public schools in New Mexico from kindergarten to twelfth grade that includes instruction on how to recognize and maintain good health, the process of human development, examination of the characteristics of positive interpersonal and social interactions and the influence of the media on social and personal behavior;

C. "human development" means the physiologic and social development of a human being, including the development and maturation of human sexuality; and

D. "medically accurate" means verifiable or supported by the preponderance of the research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and shall:

(1) be published in peer-reviewed journals where applicable; and

(2) comprise information that leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field, such as the American college of obstetricians and gynecologists, recognize as accurate."

Section 3. A new section of the Public School Code, Section 22-13C-3 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:

"22-13C-3. [NEW MATERIAL] HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION.--

A. The information presented to students in health and human development education shall be medically accurate and age appropriate and shall respect the diverse values represented in New Mexico communities.

B. The department of education shall provide a resource list of sources that instructors may access to gather accurate and current health and human development information. All resources shall qualify as medically accurate.

C. The department of education shall provide medically accurate health and human development information to school districts, which shall disseminate that information to all instructors providing health and human development education.

D. The department of education shall adopt guidelines for school districts implementing health and human development education in kindergarten through twelfth grade."

Section 4. A new section of the Public School Code, Section 22-13C-4 NMSA 1978, is enacted to read:

"22-13C-4. [NEW MATERIAL] AGE APPROPRIATE CURRICULA.--

A. In kindergarten through fourth grade, the focus of health and human development education shall be on healthy relationships that are not exploitative, are non-abusive and are devoid of pressure. The curriculum shall provide information that allows students to make healthy physical and social choices. Basic media literacy shall be a component of this level of the curriculum.

B. In fifth grade through seventh grade, health and human development education shall emphasize the onset of puberty and its social, psychological and physical implications. The curriculum shall outline and encourage discussion of the relative risks associated with sexual activity or abstinence and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and their prevention. Intermediate level media literacy shall be introduced as a component of the curriculum.

C. In seventh grade through twelfth grade, health and human development education shall involve comprehensive and balanced skills development and discussions that encourage students to consider their values and their health. Areas of instruction shall cover abstinence and refusal skills; contraceptive methods, technology and availability; communication skills; and sexually transmitted disease prevention and treatment. The outcomes associated with teen pregnancy shall be included in the curriculum."