Providing instruction in human growth and development

Under current law, a volunteer health care provider (provider) may apply to the Department of Administration to be permitted to provide health care services without charge in a school or nonprofit agency. If the provider wishes to provide services at a school, the provider must file the application jointly with the school board or, if the school is a charter school, the governing body of the school. "Volunteer health care provider" is defined under current law as a physician, dentist or dental hygienist, registered nurse, practical nurse, nurse-midwife, nurse practitioner, optometrist, physician assistant, or dietitian who receives no income from the practice of that health care profession or who receives no income from the practice of that health care profession when providing services at the school. Under current law, the provider may provide instruction in human growth and development if the instructional program complies with the requirements above, but may not provide instruction in human sexuality; reproduction; family planning, including natural family planning; HIV and AIDS; prenatal development; childbirth; adoption;

available prenatal and postnatal support; and male and female responsibility.

This bill provides that a school board may offer an instructional program in human growth and development. If the school board offers an instructional program in human growth and development, the bill requires that the program provide medically accurate information and, when age appropriate, address all of the following: 1) communication between the pupil and the pupil's parents or guardians about sexuality; 2) reproductive and sexual anatomy and physiology; 3) puberty, pregnancy, parenting, body image, and gender stereotypes; 4) skills to make responsible decisions about sexuality and sexual behavior throughout the pupil's life span; 5) the benefits of and reasons for abstaining from sexual activity; 6) the health benefits, side effects, and proper use of contraceptives and barrier methods approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; 7) methods for developing healthy life skills, including setting goals, responsible decision making, communication, and stress management; 8) how alcohol or drug use affects responsible decision making; and 9) the impact of media and peer messages on thoughts, feelings, and behaviors related to sexuality. In addition, the program must do all of the following: 1) use instructional methods and materials that do not promote bias against pupils of any race, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnic or cultural background or against sexually active pupils or children with disabilities; 2) promote self-esteem and positive interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on healthy relationships; and 3) identify counseling, medical, and legal resources for survivors of sexual abuse and assault, including resources for escaping violent relationships.

The bill defines medically accurate information as information that satisfies all of the following: 1) the information is supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods; 2) where appropriate, the information is published in peer-reviewed journals; and 3) the information is recognized as accurate by relevant leading professional organizations or agencies, such as the American Medical Association, the American Public Health Association, or the American Academy of Pediatrics. The bill defines "age appropriate" as suitable to a particular age group of pupils based on the developing cognitive and emotional capacity of and behaviors typical for the age group.

The bill permits a school district to eliminate from the human sexuality and development curriculum information that is not age appropriate. The bill requires each school board that elects not to offer human growth and development instruction to notify each pupil's parent or guardian of this fact. The bill also requires the state superintendent to apply for federal funds to implement an evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention program.

Finally, the bill permits a provider to provide instruction in human growth and development if the instructional program complies with the instructional program established in this bill.