Under this bill, not less than 30 days prior to commencing instruction of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum, regardless of whether the curriculum is offered as part of a family life program, sex education program, or other program, each LEA or public charter school must notify the parent or guardian of each student whom the LEA or charter school anticipates will be present for instruction in the curriculum that:
(1) The LEA or charter school is providing a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum;?and
(2) The parent or guardian may examine the instructional materials and confer with the student's instructor, school counselor, or principal, as designated by the LEA or public charter school, regarding any or all portions of the curriculum.
A parent or guardian who wishes to excuse the parent's or guardian's student from any portion of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum must submit a request in writing to the student's instructor, school counselor, or principal. A parent or guardian who wishes to excuse the parent's or guardian's student from all portions of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum must submit a request in writing to the student's principal. An LEA or public charter school will be prohibited from penalizing a student who is excused from any or all portions of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum for grading purposes if the excused student satisfactorily performs an alternative lesson that is assigned to the student.
This bill specifies that an LEA or public charter school will not be required to notify a student's parent or guardian prior to a teacher, principal, or other school personnel:
(1) Responding to a question from a student during class regarding sexual orientation or gender identity as it relates to any topic of instruction; or
(2) Referring to the sexual orientation or gender identity of any historic person, group, or public figure, where the referral provides necessary context in relation to a topic of instruction.
This bill specifies that an LEA or public charter school is not required to provide a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum.

Statutes affected:
Current Version: 49-6-1301