Governor Kay Ivey has signed legislation into law that would significantly alter the state's K-12 sex education, mandating "sexual risk avoidance" instead of what is called comprehensive sex education.
Comprehensive sex education has come under fire in recent years, with lawmakers and others criticizing the State for using a curriculum they claim is inappropriate, sexually explicit or designed to push pro LGBTQ agendas.
SEE: ADPH funds comprehensive sexuality education across the state
Senate Bill 209 (SB209), sponsored by State Sen. Shay Shelnutt (R-Trussville) and carried by State Rep. Susan DuBose (R-Hoover) in the House, overhauls the State's sex education in K-12 schools, mandating instruction that abstinence is the best way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Although it faced pushback from Democratic lawmakers, it passed the House of Representatives 82-16 and the Senate 26-3. The only Republican "no" vote came from State Rep. Andy Whitt (R-Harvest).
Under current law, any program or curriculum in a public K-12 school that includes sex education or reproduction must emphasize abstinence as the only effective protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease. SB209 would require any curriculum or program to exclusively teach the advantages of avoiding nonmarital sexual activity and the potential physical and emotional negative outcomes associated with youth and teen sexual activity.
The new law bans any sex ed teaching for children from kindergarten through the fourth grade.
The curriculum would prohibit the use of sexually explicit images, demonstrating the use of contraceptives, providing referrals or information on how to procure contraception or abortions, and the use of services or education from any individual or organization that does not endorse sexual risk avoidance or that advocates for or performs abortions.
The law would also require teaching on how to recognize sexual abuse, abusive relationships, coercion, and exploitation, and how to report instances to parents, guardians, or law enforcement.
It would also require education on the skills to resist unwanted peer pressure and avoid cyberbullying, sexting, pornography, online sexual predators, and the potential legal implications of participating in any of the preceding activities.
The law is slated to take effect on October 1 after Ivey's signature.
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