Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee has signed a new law that aims to help educators teach students about genocide.

According to AP, the legislation, signed into law Wednesday, June 22, by Chafee, directs state education officials to create online curricular materials dealing with past genocides.

The material will be designed to help local middle and high schools create lesson plans on the Holocaust and genocides in Armenia, Cambodia, Iraq, Rwanda and Darfur.

The bill was sponsored by state Rep. Anastasia Williams, a Providence Democrat, and state Sen. Joshua Miller, a Cranston Democrat. Williams and Miller say students need to learn about the dark chapters of human history to become thoughtful and informed citizens.