This bill mandates that starting in the 2027-2028 school year, public schools must include comprehensive human sexuality education in their health education courses for middle and high school students. It establishes a requirement for students entering ninth grade to complete a half-unit of health education prior to graduation. School districts and charter schools are required to submit implementation plans for this education, while the Public Education Department will develop academic content and performance standards and approve curricula. The bill also retains the requirement for lifesaving skills training, ensuring students learn essential skills such as CPR and the Heimlich maneuver.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces new definitions and standards for comprehensive human sexuality education, emphasizing that the information provided must be age-appropriate, medically accurate, and evidence-based. It outlines the topics to be covered, including methods to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, the importance of consent, and the development of healthy relationships. Parents will have the option to excuse their children from this portion of the curriculum, but if alternative topics are not provided, students will still receive credit. By July 1, 2027, the department is tasked with establishing a review process for school district curricula and creating model curricula for comprehensive human sexuality education for both middle and high school students.

Statutes affected:
introduced version: 22-13-1.1