Text of AL HB 139 (2014)

1 HB139 2 150869-1 3 By Representative Todd 4 RFD: Education Policy 5 First Read: 14-JAN-14 6 PFD: 01/10/2014 Page 0 1 150869-1:n:03/20/2013:PMG/mfc LRS2013-1588 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, there are certain 9 minimum contents which are included in a sex 10 education program or curriculum. 11 This bill would remove from the minimum 12 contents the emphasis that homosexuality is not an 13 acceptable lifestyle and the emphasis that 14 homosexual conduct is a criminal act. 15 This bill would also require that all 16 material taught be done in a culturally sensitive 17 manner. 18 19 A BILL 20 TO BE ENTITLED 21 AN ACT 22 23 To amend Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, 24 relating to the minimum contents that are included in a sex 25 education program or curriculum; to remove from the minimum 26 contents the emphasis that homosexuality is not an acceptable 27 lifestyle and the emphasis that homosexual conduct is a Page 1 1 criminal act; and to require that all material taught be done 2 in a culturally sensitive manner. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: 4 Section 1. Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, 5 is amended to read as follows: 6 "§16-40A-2. 7 "(a) Any program or curriculum in the public schools 8 in Alabama that includes sex education or the human 9 reproductive process shall, as a minimum, include and 10 emphasize the following: 11 "(1) Abstinence from sexual intercourse sex is the 12 only completely effective protection against unwanted 13 pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and acquired immune 14 deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually. 15 "(2) Abstinence from sexual intercourse sex outside 16 of lawful marriage is the expected social standard for 17 unmarried school-age persons. 18 "(b) Course materials and instruction that relate to 19 sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should be 20 age-appropriate and culturally sensitive. 21 "(c) Course materials and instruction that relate to 22 sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should 23 include all of the following elements: 24 "(1) An emphasis on sexual abstinence as the only 25 completely reliable method of avoiding unwanted teenage 26 pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Page 2 1 "(2) An emphasis on the importance of self-control 2 and ethical conduct pertaining to sexual behavior. 3 "(3) Statistics based on the latest medical 4 information that indicate the degree of reliability and 5 unreliability of various forms of contraception, while also 6 emphasizing the increase in protection against pregnancy and 7 protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including 8 HIV and AIDS infection, which is afforded by the use of 9 various contraceptive measures. 10 "(4) Information concerning the laws relating to the 11 financial responsibilities associated with pregnancy, 12 childbirth, and child rearing. 13 "(5) Information concerning the laws prohibiting 14 sexual abuse, the need to report such abuse, and the legal 15 options available to victims of sexual abuse. 16 "(6) Information on how to cope with and rebuff 17 unwanted physical and verbal sexual exploitation by other 18 persons. 19 "(7) Psychologically sound methods of resisting 20 unwanted peer pressure. 21 "(8) An emphasis, in a factual manner and from a 22 public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a 23 lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual 24 conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state. 25 "(9) (8) Comprehensive instruction in parenting 26 skills and responsibilities, including the responsibility to 27 pay child support by non-custodial parents, the penalties for Page 3 1 non-payment of child support, and the legal and ethical 2 responsibilities of child care and child rearing." 3 Section 2. This act shall become effective on the 4 first day of the third month following its passage and 5 approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law. Page 4