Outline of the state of Rhode Island
State
Rhode Island
Stresses abstinence

Category
Sexual Health Education Abstinence—HS

Category
Sexual Health Education Abstinence—HS

State law stresses abstinence.

216-RICR-20-10-4.7 Mandated Health Instructional Outcomes

  1. Family Life and Sexuality: responsibilities of family membership and adulthood, issues related to reproduction, abstinence, dating and dating violence, marriage, parenthood, information about sexually transmitted diseases, sexuality and sexual orientation, as part of comprehensive sexuality education pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-18.
  2. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus)/AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome): the causes, effects, treatment, and prevention, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-22-17.
Policy Type
Regulation

State of Rhode Island General Laws § 16-22-17 AIDS education program.

a) The department of elementary and secondary education shall, pursuant to rules promulgated by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and the director of the department of health, establish comprehensive AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) instruction, which shall provide students with accurate information and instruction on AIDS transmission and prevention, and which course shall also address abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred means of prevention, as a basic education program requirement.

Policy Type
Statute

State of Rhode Island General Laws § 16-22-18 Health and family life courses.

(a)Every secondary school teaching courses in family life or sex education within this state shall include, as part of the course instruction, abstinence from sexual activity and refraining from sexual intercourse as the preferred method of pregnancy prevention and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Provided further, part of the course instruction may incorporate age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the law and meaning of consent. Such age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate elements of effective and evidence-based programs on the prevention of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and sexual violence may include instruction that increases student awareness of the fact that consent is required before sexual activity

Policy Type
Statute