Senator Liz Mathis (D-Hiawatha) tried to amend the Education appropriations bill Tuesday to include mental health awareness, coping and suicide prevention in health curriculum for seventh and eighth grade.
The seventh and eighth grade curriculum would include age-appropriate and research-based information regarding coping skills, which would include but not be limited to preventing dating violence and respecting the requirement for affirmative, conscious and voluntary consent prior to sexual activity.
“I just think that the body should understand that this is something that is imperative,” Mathis said.
The amendment was defeated 31-19.
Mathis tried to bring an amendment including the affirmative, conscious and voluntary consent prior to sexual activity previously to a bill filed in the Senate that involved mental health awareness, coping and suicide prevention.
