The bill S. 41 aims to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws regarding the Comprehensive Health Education Program, specifically focusing on reproductive health education and pregnancy prevention education. It proposes to redefine "reproductive health education" to ensure that it includes age-appropriate, comprehensive, and medically accurate instruction while explicitly stating that abstinence cannot be taught as the only or primary method of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Additionally, the definition of "pregnancy prevention education" will be updated to include the benefits of abstinence until marriage.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that local school boards include domestic violence and pregnancy prevention education in the curriculum for grades six through eight. It also emphasizes that instruction in comprehensive health education for these grades must cover a range of topics, including reproductive health education. The bill seeks to enhance the overall health education framework in South Carolina schools by ensuring that students receive a more comprehensive understanding of reproductive health and related issues.

Statutes affected:
12/11/2024: 59-32-10, 59-32-30
Latest Version: 59-32-10, 59-32-30