Public K-12 education; violence prevention, conflict resolution, and mediation instruction required before graduation from high school beginning in sixth grade, State Board of Education required to adopt standards

This bill requires all public high school students in Alabama to complete a course on violence prevention, conflict resolution, and mediation before graduating, starting with the 2027-2028 school year. The instruction must cover topics such as responsible decision-making, causes of school violence, nonviolent conflict resolution techniques, and the relationship between drugs, alcohol, and violence, and must be taught to students in grades six through twelve. The State Department of Education is tasked with developing instructional standards and materials by June 30, 2027, and assisting local schools in training teachers to deliver this curriculum. Local school boards will have the authority to determine the specific curriculum used to meet these requirements. The bill takes effect on October 1, 2026.