House Bill 1031: Arkansas Healthy Lifestyle Education Act of 2025 from sponsor Representative Andrew Collins aims to improve the health education curriculum in Arkansas public schools by addressing several critical health issues. Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, public schools in Arkansas will be required to offer a health course for students in grades 7-12, covering the following topics:

1. Mental Health: The curriculum will include suicide prevention, recognizing mental health crises, and other mental health-related issues.
2. Substance Abuse: The course will cover various types of substance abuse, including prescription drugs, illicit drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, as well as prevention strategies.
3. Diet and Obesity: Students will learn about preventing obesity, cardiovascular disease, and Type 2 diabetes, focusing on healthy diets and lifestyle choices.
4. Tobacco Use Prevention: Education on the health risks of tobacco and nicotine, including vaping and e-cigarettes, will be provided, along with cessation methods.
5. Teenage Pregnancy Prevention: The curriculum will focus on preventing unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections through abstinence and contraception, as well as teaching consent and healthy relationships.

Additionally, parents will have the option to request that their child be excused from the teenage pregnancy prevention portion of the curriculum.

The bill also mandates that the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education, in partnership with medical and health organizations, will develop evidence-based resources and provide professional development for teachers. The goal is to equip students with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions about their health.