Signed by Governor Bev Perdue

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires school districts to offer both abstinence-only and comprehensive sexuality education programs beginning in the seventh grade, and authorizes parents or legal guardians to select which program to enroll their child in beginning with the 2010-2011 school year.

Highlights:

-Requires the abstinence-only sexual education program to cover the following (Sec. 4):

-That abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage is expected of school-age children; -Techniques and strategies to deal with peer pressure and offer positive reinforcement; -Reasons, skills, and strategies for remaining or becoming abstinent; -That abstinence is the only means of preventing out-of-wedlock pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health and emotional problems; -That a mutually faithful monogamous heterosexual relationship in the context of marriage is the best lifelong means of avoiding sexually transmitted diseases; -Positive benefits of abstinence and the risks of premarital sexual activity; -Opportunities for interaction between the parent or legal guardian and the student; and -Factually accurate biological or pathological information related to the human reproductive system.

-Requires the comprehensive sexual education program to cover the following (Sec. 5):

-Respect for marriage; -That abstinence is the only certain means by which to prevent out-of-wedlock pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases; -Information about the value of abstinence; -Information on sexually transmitted diseases; -Effectiveness and safety of all Food and Drug Administration-approved contraceptive methods for reducing the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases; -Functional knowledge and essential skills to promote and maintain healthy behaviors that value lifelong good health and the avoidance of risky behaviors, including alcohol and drug abuse, and unprotected sexual activity; -Awareness of sexual assault, sexual abuse, and risk reduction; and -Opportunities for interaction between the parent or legal guardian and the student.

-Requires the comprehensive sexual education program to ensure that the materials used in instruction are age appropriate (Sec. 5). -Requires the comprehensive sexual education program to ensure that information conveyed is objective and based upon scientific research that is peer reviewed and accepted by professionals and credentialed experts in the field of sexual health education (Sec. 5). -Authorizes parents or legal guardians to elect to have their child not enroll in either program (Sec. 5). -Authorizes parents or legal guardians to withdraw their child from participation in either program at any time (Sec. 5). -Requires schools to provide parents or legal guardians with an opportunity to examine the curriculum (Sec. 5). -This is a substitute bill sponsored by the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Education.

Full Bill Text