Including age-appropriate child sexual abuse prevention instruction in a human growth and development instructional program

Under current law, if any part of the recommended instructional program is provided to pupils, the school board must also provide specific information on required subjects in the same course in the same year. The list of information on required subjects includes presenting abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior for unmarried pupils; providing instruction in parental responsibility and the socioeconomic benefits of marriage for adults and their children; explaining pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth; and the process by which a parent may relinquish a newborn child to a law enforcement officer, emergency medical services practitioner, or hospital staff member. The bill adds to this list providing an age-appropriate curriculum on child sexual abuse prevention that includes 1) instruction on specific topics and 2) providing parents and guardians with facts and clear explanations related to child sexual abuse topics.