Text of AL HB 496 (2013)

HB496 1 150869-1 2 By Representative Todd 3 RFD: Education Policy 4 First Read: 02-APR-13 5 Page 0 150869-1:n:03/20/2013:PMG/mfc LRS2013-1588 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, there are certain 8 minimum contents which are included in a sex 9 education program or curriculum. 10 This bill would remove from the minimum 11 contents the emphasis that homosexuality is not an 12 acceptable lifestyle and the emphasis that 13 homosexual conduct is a criminal act. 14 This bill would also require that all 15 material taught be done in a culturally sensitive 16 manner. 17 18 A BILL 19 TO BE ENTITLED 20 AN ACT 21 22 To amend Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, 23 relating to the minimum contents that are included in a sex 24 education program or curriculum; to remove from the minimum 25 contents the emphasis that homosexuality is not an acceptable 26 lifestyle and the emphasis that homosexual conduct is a 27 Page 1 criminal act; and to require that all material taught be done 1 in a culturally sensitive manner. 2 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA: 3 Section 1. Section 16-40A-2, Code of Alabama 1975, 4 is amended to read as follows: 5 "§16-40A-2. 6 "(a) Any program or curriculum in the public schools 7 in Alabama that includes sex education or the human 8 reproductive process shall, as a minimum, include and 9 emphasize the following: 10 "(1) Abstinence from sexual intercourse sex is the 11 only completely effective protection against unwanted 12 pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and acquired immune 13 deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually. 14 "(2) Abstinence from sexual intercourse sex outside 15 of lawful marriage is the expected social standard for 16 unmarried school-age persons. 17 "(b) Course materials and instruction that relate to 18 sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should be 19 age-appropriate and culturally sensitive. 20 "(c) Course materials and instruction that relate to 21 sexual education or sexually transmitted diseases should 22 include all of the following elements: 23 "(1) An emphasis on sexual abstinence as the only 24 completely reliable method of avoiding unwanted teenage 25 pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. 26 Page 2 "(2) An emphasis on the importance of self-control 1 and ethical conduct pertaining to sexual behavior. 2 "(3) Statistics based on the latest medical 3 information that indicate the degree of reliability and 4 unreliability of various forms of contraception, while also 5 emphasizing the increase in protection against pregnancy and 6 protection against sexually transmitted diseases, including 7 HIV and AIDS infection, which is afforded by the use of 8 various contraceptive measures. 9 "(4) Information concerning the laws relating to the 10 financial responsibilities associated with pregnancy, 11 childbirth, and child rearing. 12 "(5) Information concerning the laws prohibiting 13 sexual abuse, the need to report such abuse, and the legal 14 options available to victims of sexual abuse. 15 "(6) Information on how to cope with and rebuff 16 unwanted physical and verbal sexual exploitation by other 17 persons. 18 "(7) Psychologically sound methods of resisting 19 unwanted peer pressure. 20 "(8) An emphasis, in a factual manner and from a 21 public health perspective, that homosexuality is not a 22 lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual 23 conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state. 24 "(9) (8) Comprehensive instruction in parenting 25 skills and responsibilities, including the responsibility to 26 pay child support by non-custodial parents, the penalties for 27 Page 3 non-payment of child support, and the legal and ethical 1 responsibilities of child care and child rearing." 2 Section 2. This act shall become effective on the 3 first day of the third month following its passage and 4 approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law. 5 Page 4