SAVE Students Act
Ohio's 133rd General Assembly enacted House Bill 123, the "Safety and Violence Education (SAVE) Students Act" regarding school security and youth suicide awareness education and training.
Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, Ohio law requires schools to provide instruction in suicide prevention, violence prevention and social inclusion.
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Students in grades 6 through 12 to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based instruction in suicide awareness and prevention;
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Students in grades 6 through 12 to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of instruction in safety training and violence prevention; and
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Students in grades 6 through 12 to receive at least one hour or one standard class period per school year of evidence-based instruction in social inclusion.
Schools are required to use an approved, evidence-based program to meet these requirements. Instruction is to occur annually for students in grades 6 through 12. Our district will be using the Say Something: Prevent Suicide program from Sandy Hook Promise.
Ohio law also requires evidence-based programs in social inclusion to address the following:
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What social isolation is and how to identify it in others;
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What social inclusion is and the importance of establishing connections with peers;
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When and how to seek help for peers who may be socially isolated; and
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How to utilize strategies for more social inclusion in classrooms and the school
Our district will be using the Say Something program from Sandy Hook Promise.
Senate Bill 288: Child Sexual Abuse, Dating Violence and Sexual Violence Prevention
Senate Bill 288 has recently altered Ohio Revised Code 3313.60 in regard to prescribed curriculum. More specifically Ohio Law, now requires that developmentally appropriate instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention and sexual violence prevention be included in schools' prescribed curriculum. Instruction and information provided cannot be connected in any way to any individual, entity or organization that provides, promotes, counsels or makes referrals for abortion, or abortion-related services.
Grades K-6:
Child sexual abuse prevention is required to be provided to students in grades K through 6. Instruction is to occur annually and include information on available counseling and resources for children who are sexually abused.
Grades 7-12:
Dating violence prevention education and sexual violence prevention education is required to be provided to students during health education in grades 7 through 12. Instruction must include recognizing dating violence warning signs and characteristics of healthy relationships.
Parent/Guardian Excusal
Upon written request of the student's parent or guardian, a student can be excused from taking instruction in child sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention, sexual violence prevention and/or suicide awareness and prevention education by completing this opt-out form.
Learn more about House Bill 123 and Senate Bill 288 at GJPS.
