MODEL BILLS

Medically-Accurate Sex Education Act

Summary: The Medically-Accurate Sex Education Act requires the teaching in schools of age-appropriate, comprehensive and religiously neutral sexuality education, including education on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

For far more detailed sex education requirements, see Colorado House Bill 1081 (2013)

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE

This Act shall be called “The Medically-Accurate Sex Education Act.”

SECTION 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE

(A) FINDINGS—The [legislature/council/commission] finds that:

1. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, evidence-based, medically accurate, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, and comprehensive sexuality education programs have been proven to help youth delay the onset of sexual activity, decrease the frequency of sexual activity, reduce the number of sexual partners, and increase condom and contraceptive use.

2. Abstinence-only programs in schools do not delay the initiation of teen sex or reduce its frequency.

3. It is essential for the health and safety of young people that they receive medically and factually accurate and objective information about sexuality, pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

(B) PURPOSE—This law is enacted to protect the health and safety of young people and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted disease in the state.

SECTION 3. MEDICALLY-ACCURATE SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS

After section XXX, the following new section XXX shall be inserted:

(A) DEFINITION—In this section, “medically accurate” means information:

1. Supported by the weight of 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, such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists or the Centers for Disease Control.

(B) MEDICALLY-ACCURATE SEX EDUCATION REQUIRED

1. The [Board of Education] shall adopt rules requiring all [high schools and middle schools] to teach age-appropriate, comprehensive and religiously neutral sexuality education, including education on both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

2. All sexuality education courses taught in schools must provide medically accurate information.

SECTION 4. EFFECTIVE DATE

This Act shall take effect on July 1, 20XX.