May Legislative Report

May 2002 Legislative Report

California: Committees Pass Bill Requiring that "Safe Surrender" Law must be Taught

On February 25th, HB 2817, a bill regarding students' taking of medication during the school day, was introduced in the California legislature. On April 29th, a seemingly unrelated amendment was offered to the bill that struck out the initial language and replaced it with language requiring that any sexuality education course teach students about the Safe Arms for Newborns law, a law similar to "safe surrender" laws in other states. This law allows mothers to anonymously surrender an infant up to 72 hours old at a hospital emergency room or other designated location without fear of prosecution. Hearings have been held and the bill has passed out of both the Committee on Education and the Committee on Appropriations.

Kansas: Abortion and Fetal Information in Sexuality Education Bill Stricken from Calendar

On February 12th, House Bill (HB) 2832 was re-introduced in the Kansas legislature. This bill would have required 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. A hearing was held in March and, after non-substantive amendments, the bill was passed out of committee in April. On May 16, however, the bill was stricken from the legislative calendar.

Michigan: Comprehensive Sexuality Education Bill Introduced

On May 30th House Bill 6154 was introduced in the Michigan legislature. HB 6154 would amend the school code to require that all sexuality education taught is comprehensive, medically accurate and age-appropriate. The bill's definition of medical accuracy states that information should be "recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the relevant field, such as the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention." The bill has been referred to the Committee on Education.

Minnesota: Marriage Promotion Bill Dies in the House

Earlier this year SB 2709 and HB 2660 were introduced in the Minnesota legislature. These bills would modify the state's sexually transmitted disease program to include instruction on "the value of marriage" and on abstinence outside of marriage 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. After having been placed on the May 16 calendar, a May 19 motion to lay HB 2660 on the table prevailed by a 66-64 vote. This, in effect, kills the bill. There has been no action on the Senate bill.

New Jersey: Comprehensive Family Life Education Bill Introduced

On May 9th, a bill was introduced in the New Jersey legislature that would require each board of education in the state to offer comprehensive family life education. HB 2772 defines family life education as "education regarding human development and sexuality, including education on family planning and sexually transmitted diseases, that is medically accurate and age-appropriate; respects community values and encourages parental communication; promotes responsible sexual behavior and addresses both abstinence and the use of contraception; promotes individual responsibility and involvement regarding sexuality; and teaches skills for responsible decision-making regarding sexuality." There has been no further action on the bill.

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