HB321 By Representative Sorrell RFD Education Policy Rd 1 25-FEB-20

SYNOPSIS: This bill would require the specific content and instructional materials to be presented in any program or curriculum that includes sex education or the human reproductive process in a public K-12 school to be disclosed to the parents or guardians of all unemancipated students who are of an eligible age or grade level to participate in the program or curriculum, and would require the prior written permission of the parents or guardians of a student before participation.

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT

Related to public K-12 schools; to amend Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to sex education; to require the specific content and instructional materials to be presented in any program or curriculum that includes sex education or the human reproductive process to be disclosed to the parents or guardians of all unemancipated students who are of an eligible age or grade level to participate in the program or curriculum; and to require the prior written permission of the parents or guardians of a student before participation.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:Section 1. Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:

§16-40A-2.

"(a) Any program or curriculum in the public schools in Alabama that includes sex education or the human reproductive process shall, as a minimum, include and emphasize the following:

"(1) Abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only completely effective protection against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually.

"(2) Abstinence from sexual intercourse outside of lawful marriage is the expected social standard for unmarried school-age persons.

"(b) Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should be age-appropriate.

"(c) Course materials and instruction that relate to sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should include all of the following elements:

"(1) An emphasis on sexual abstinence as the only completely reliable method of avoiding unwanted teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

"(2) An emphasis on the importance of self-control and ethical conduct pertaining to sexual behavior.

"(3) Statistics based on the latest medical information that indicate the degree of reliability and unreliability of various forms of contraception, while also emphasizing the increase in protection against pregnancy and protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV and AIDS infection, which is afforded by the use of various contraceptive measures.

"(4) Information concerning the laws relating to the financial responsibilities associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing.

"(5) Information concerning the laws prohibiting sexual abuse, the need to report such abuse, and the legal options available to victims of sexual abuse.

"(6) Information on how to cope with and rebuff unwanted physical and verbal sexual exploitation by other persons.

"(7) Psychologically sound methods of resisting unwanted peer pressure.

"(8) An emphasis, in a factual manner and from a public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state.

"(9) Comprehensive instruction in parenting skills and responsibilities, including the responsibility to pay child support by non-custodial parents, the penalties for non-payment of child support, and the legal and ethical responsibilities of child care and child rearing.

"(d)(1) The specific content and instructional materials to be presented during a given school year in any program or curriculum that includes sex education or the human reproductive process shall be disclosed during registration directly to the parents or guardians of all unemancipated students who are of an eligible age or grade level to participate in the program or curriculum. The parents or guardians of a student shall provide prior written permission to the school, valid for the current school year, before the student participates in the program or curriculum. The school shall send confirmation to the parents or guardians of receipt of the written permission documentation.

"(2) Parents or guardians who wish to discontinue a child's participation in a program or curriculum described in subdivision (1) may submit a request to withdraw that child from the instruction. The school shall send confirmation to the parents or guardians upon receipt of the withdrawal request."

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

Education

Public Schools

Code Amended