Text of AZ SB 1457 (2011)

REFERENCE TITLE: schools; sex education State of Arizona Senate Fiftieth Legislature First Regular Session 2011 SB 1457 Introduced by Senators Sinema, Cajero Bedford: Gallardo, Jackson, Meza, Reagan AN ACT amending sections 15‑711 and 15‑716, Arizona Revised Statutes; relating to school curriculum. (TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE) Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona: Section 1. Section 15-711, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE15-711. Sex education curricula; sexual conduct with a minor; definitions A. All school districts with existing sex education curricula shall: 1. Provide sex education that is medically accurate and comprehensive. 2. Include instruction on the laws relating to sexual conduct with a minor for pupils in grades seven, eight, nine, ten, eleven and twelve. Each school district may develop its own course of study to meet the requirements of this section paragraph. B. At the request of a school district, the department of health services or the department of education shall review instruction materials to determine their medical accuracy. C. At the request of a school district, the department of education shall provide the following assistance: 1. A suggested course of study. 2. Teacher training. 3. A list of available films and other teaching aids. D. At the request of a parent, a pupil shall be excused from instruction on sex education as provided in subsection A. The school district shall notify all parents of their ability to withdraw their child from the instruction. E. For the purposes of this section: 1. "Comprehensive" means evidence-based programs that begin in kindergarten programs and continue through grade twelve and that provide pupils with opportunities for developing skills and learning age‑appropriate, medically accurate information on a broad set of topics related to sexuality, including human development, relationships, decisionmaking, abstinence, contraception and disease prevention. 2. "Medically accurate" means information that is all of the following: (a) Verified or supported by the weight of peer-reviewed research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods. (b) Recognized as accurate and objective by leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field. (c) Published in peer-reviewed journals, if appropriate. END_STATUTE Sec. 2. Section 15-716, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read: START_STATUTE15-716. Instruction on sexually transmitted infections; department assistance; definition A. Each common, high and unified school district may shall provide instruction to pupils in kindergarten programs through the twelfth grade on sexually transmitted infections, including acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the human immunodeficiency virus. B. Each district is free to develop its own course of study for each grade. At a minimum, instruction shall: 1. Be appropriate to the grade level in which it is offered. 2. Be medically accurate. 3. Promote abstinence. 4. Discourage drug abuse. 5. Dispel myths regarding transmission of sexually transmitted infections, including the human immunodeficiency virus. C. No district shall include in its course of study instruction which: 1. Promotes a homosexual life‑style. 2. Portrays homosexuality as a positive alternative life‑style. 3. Suggests that some methods of sex are safe methods of homosexual sex. D. C. At the request of a school district, the department of health services or the department of education shall review instruction materials to determine their medical accuracy. E. D. At the request of a school district, the department of education shall provide the following assistance: 1. A suggested course of study. 2. Teacher training. 3. A list of available films and other teaching aids. F. E. At the request of a parent, a pupil shall be excused from instruction on sexually transmitted infections, including the acquired immune deficiency syndrome and the human immunodeficiency virus as provided in subsection A of this section. The school district shall notify all parents of their ability to withdraw their child from the instruction. F. For the purposes of this section, "medically accurate" means information that is all of the following: 1. Verified or supported by the weight of peer-reviewed research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods. 2. Recognized as accurate and objective by leading professional organizations and agencies with relevant expertise in the field. 3. Published in peer-reviewed journals, if appropriate. END_STATUTE