This bill amends the Code of Alabama 1975, specifically Section 16-40A-2, to modify the sex education curriculum in public K-12 schools. It emphasizes sexual risk avoidance and abstinence as the only 100 percent effective methods to prevent unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV when transmitted sexually. The bill requires that the curriculum be age-appropriate, medically accurate, and prohibits the promotion of abortion or any sexual activity, including demonstrations of contraceptive use. Insertions to the bill include the definition of sexual risk avoidance and the requirement for age-appropriate and medically accurate instruction, while deletions remove language that suggests sex outside of marriage is an expected social standard and the availability of certain instructional elements. Parents or guardians are given the right to opt their children out of such education without penalty, and the Attorney General is authorized to enforce these provisions.

Furthermore, HB195 Engrossed restricts local boards of education from utilizing the services of individuals or organizations that do not endorse sexual risk avoidance or are associated with abortion services in any capacity, including performing, referring, funding, advocating, or supporting abortions. The bill includes insertions that define prohibited content and service provider restrictions, and it grants the Attorney General the power to obtain injunctive relief for enforcement. The act is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2024, and the legislative process shows it passed in the House of Representatives with 72 yeas, 22 nays, and 6 abstentions.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-40A-2
Engrossed: 16-40A-2