Being a proud, lifelong Texan, any mention I make of Rhode Island is usually a punchline, but I’m giving them mad props here for passing legislation mandating dating violence education at the middle and high school levels.

To be honest, this was a little off my radar – the closest I’ve ever been to domestic violence has been a Lifetime movie. And even though to many of us, the warning signs may be obvious, I agree that it’s important to educate kids – both guys and girls – as they are just beginning their dating life so they can make smart and safe decisions.