SB1102: Middle & high schools; DOE to evaluate options for implementing hazing prevention training program.

Legislative Summary

Public schools; hazing prevention training program. Directs the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Resources, to convene an expert and stakeholder work group, consisting of representatives from families of hazing victims, experts knowledgeable about hazing prevention, school administrators and faculty, representatives from the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, the Virginia Education Association, and the Virginia School Boards Association, and other stakeholders as the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Resources deem appropriate, to evaluate options for implementing hazing prevention training programs in middle and high schools in the Commonwealth. The bill directs the work group to consider (i) a model hazing prevention training program that includes age-appropriate, extensive, and current education about hazing, the dangers of hazing, and school policies and laws relating to hazing; (ii) alternatives to in-person participation for such training programs for virtual learners; and (iii) proposed language to include instruction on hazing prevention in the Standards of Learning for health education. The bill directs the work group to report its recommendations to the Board of Education by July 1, 2024. Public schools; hazing prevention training program. Directs the Department of Education, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Resources, to convene an expert and stakeholder work group, consisting of representatives from families of hazing victims, experts knowledgeable about hazing prevention, school administrators and faculty, representatives from the Virginia Association of School Superintendents, the Virginia Education Association, and the Virginia School Boards Association, and other stakeholders as the Department of Education and Department of Health and Human Resources deem appropriate, to evaluate options for implementing hazing prevention training programs in middle and high schools in the Commonwealth. The bill directs the work group to consider (i) a model hazing prevention training program that includes age-appropriate, extensive, and current education about hazing, the dangers of hazing, and school policies and laws relating to hazing; (ii) alternatives to in-person participation for such training programs for virtual learners; and (iii) proposed language to include instruction on hazing prevention in the Standards of Learning for health education. The bill directs the work group to report its recommendations to the Board of Education by July 1, 2024.