Report Title:

Public Schools; Sexuality Education

Description:

Requires the board of education to formulate a policy that requires all intermediate or middle and high schools to teach sexuality education courses that provide medically accurate information.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

872

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to responsible sexuality education.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that effective sexuality education programs discussing condoms and contraception help delay the onset of sexual activity, reduce the frequency of sex, and reduce the number of sex partners. The legislature further finds that abstinence-only programs in schools do not delay the initiation of sex or reduce its frequency. The legislature finds that 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.

The purpose of this Act is to protect the health and safety of young people and reduce the incidence of sexually transmitted disease in the State, by requiring the board of education to formulate a policy requiring all intermediate or middle and high schools to teach sexuality education courses that provide medically accurate information.

SECTION 2. Chapter 302A, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§302A- Responsible sexuality education. (a) The board of education shall formulate a policy requiring all intermediate or middle and high 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 the human immunodeficiency virus. All sexuality education courses taught in schools shall provide medically accurate information.

(b) As used in this section, "medically accurate" means information:

(1) Supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods; and

(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."

SECTION 3. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 4. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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