NOTE: Until such time as the content list for Health Education is included in Me. Dept. of Ed. Reg. 131, health education shall continue to include instruction in community health, consumer health, environmental health, family life, growth and development, nutritional health, personal health including mental and emotional health, prevention and control of disease and disorders, safety and accident prevention, and substance use and abuse, including the effects of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs.

(c)Health and Physical Education - One-half credit in health education shall be required. Health education shall include instruction in community health, consumer health, environmental health, family life, growth and development, nutritional health, personal health including mental and emotional health, prevention and control of disease and disorders, safety and accident prevention which may include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and substance use and abuse, including the effects of alcohol, drinks, stimulants, and narcotics upon the human system

The secondary course of study must include instruction in health, safety and physical education, as prescribed by the commissioner, and physiology and hygiene, with special reference to the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics upon the human system. Health education must include instruction that addresses the relationship between physical and mental health in order to enhance student understanding of attitudes toward and behavior relating to mental illness and to eliminate the stigma associated with mental illness. The secondary course of study must also include instruction on affirmative consent, communication and decision making regarding sexual activity and the effects of alcoholic drinks, stimulants and narcotics on the ability to give affirmative consent, communicate and make appropriate decisions. For purposes of this section, "affirmative consent" means consent to sexual activity that can be revoked at any time and does not include silence, lack of resistance or consent given while intoxicated.

1-A. Comprehensive family life education. “Comprehensive family life education” means education in kindergarten to grade 12 regarding human development and sexuality, including education on family planning and sexually transmitted diseases, that is medically accurate and age appropriate; that respects community values and encourages parental communication; that develops skills in communication, decision making and conflict resolution; that contributes to healthy relationships; that promotes responsible sexual behavior with an emphasis on abstinence; that addresses the use of contraception; that promotes individual responsibility and involvement regarding sexuality; and that teaches skills for responsible decision making regarding sexuality.

The commissioner shall undertake initiatives to implement effective, comprehensive family life education services. In providing such services, the commissioner shall contract with local family planning programs to provide:

1. Training. Training for teachers, parents and community members in the development and implementation of comprehensive family life education curriculum and in planning for an evaluation component as part of comprehensive school health education;
2. Staff. Resource staff persons to provide expert training, curriculum development and implementation and evaluation services on a statewide basis;
3. Forums. Funding to promote and coordinate community and youth forums in communities identified as having high needs for comprehensive family life education;
4. Issue management; policy development training. Funding for issue management and policy development training for school boards, superintendents, principals and administrators across the State; and
5. Recognition of performance. Funding for grants to school-based comprehensive family life education programs to recognize outstanding performance and share strategies for success