February Legislative Report

February 2002 Legislative Report

Idaho: Sexuality Education that Promotes "Moral Development"

On February 22nd, House Concurrent Resolution (HCR) 57 was introduced by the Education Committee in the Idaho Legislature. The resolution states that "sex education in tax-supported public schools, universities and colleges in Idaho shall 'promote moral development.'" This resolution is comparable to HCR 36 which was introduced on January 7th and would require that sexuality education be "character based", without defining what this entails. HCR 36 is still being considered. Similar to this bill, HCR 57 fails to explain the concept of "promoting moral development."

Kansas: Abortion and Fetal Information in Sexuality Education

On February 12th, House Bill (HB) 2832 was re-introduced in the Kansas legislature. This bill would require that any course covering pregnancy-related issues or sexuality provide instruction on fetal development and abortion. The bill further stipulates that pictures or realistic drawings of fetuses must be included in instruction materials and "probable" sensations of pain to the fetus must be explained.

Kentucky: Sexuality Education Evaluation

On February 25th, House Joint Resolution (HJR) 186 was introduced in the Kentucky legislature. This resolution directs the Department of Education to survey all local school districts to collect data and information on the content and efficacy of sexuality education in public schools.

Minnesota: Marriage Promotion

On February 7th, Senate Bill (SB) 2709 was introduced in the Minnesota legislature. The bill, whose counterpart, HB 2660, was introduced in the House on January 29th, would modify the state's sexually transmitted disease program to include instruction on "the value of marriage" and on abstinence as the "expected standard for sexual behavior." Further, students would be taught that sexual activity outside of marriage is likely to have harmful emotional, physical, and social effects.

On February 14th, HB 3456 and SB 3195 were introduced in the Minnesota legislature. These bills would amend the same sexually transmitted disease program as SB 2709 and HB 2660. These two bills would rename the "sexually transmitted disease" program the "sexually transmitted infection" program, and would delete the words "until marriage" from the portion of the law that encourages students to "abstain from sexual activity."

Mississippi: Sexuality Education Requirement Bill Dies

On January 21st, HB 1422 was introduced in the Mississippi legislature which would have required that sexuality education be taught in all public schools no later than the third grade. Currently, Mississippi does not require that sexuality or HIV/STD education be taught. This bill died in committee on February 5th.

New Mexico: Abstinence Promotion

On January 24th, HB 295 was introduced in the New Mexico House. The bill would require high school students to receive instruction on parenting, family life and abstinence before marriage before graduating.

Virginia: Sexuality Education Gag Rule Defeated; Adoption Promotion Passed

On January 9th and 15th, HB 88 and HB 1206, respectively, were introduced in the Virginia legislature. These bills seek to amend the state's family life education provisions. The first bill, HB 88, prohibits presentations, classroom discussions, and delivery of information regarding "crimes against nature" (which, in Virginia, includes oral and anal sex) in any family life education curriculum. HB 88 passed the House on February 5th by a vote of 83 - 16 but was defeated in committee in the Senate on February 14th.

The second bill, HB 1206, mandates that any family life education curriculum provide instruction on the benefits of adoption as the preferred choice in the event of an unintended pregnancy. HB 1206 passed the House on February 9th and passed the Senate on February 25th.

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