By Diana Aguilera • KVPR FM 89.3 Fresno / FM 89.1 Bakersfield | http://bit.ly/1KBwCHU
Local supporters of Assembly Bill 329 say it must become law, considering Fresno Unified has not offered comprehensive sex education since 2011. Credit Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio
Jul 1, 2015 : A new bill in the California Senate could make sex education mandatory for middle and high school students. FM89’s Diana Aguilera reports.
If the bill becomes law, students will be required to learn about abstinence, sexually transmitted infections and contraception.
Right now, public schools throughout the state aren’t required to offer sex ed classes, but they are required to teach HIV and AIDS prevention. In recent years, Fresno Unified dropped its sex ed program due to budget cuts.
Registered nurse Kathy Davis works at Fresno High, and supports the bill.
“The kids ask questions. They want information and without this, I think it will take a seat on the back burner. And with what’s going on currently this needs to happen now.”
The measure has passed the Senate Education Committee and is now headed to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
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AB-329 Pupil instruction: sexual health education.(2015-2016)
Amended IN Assembly April 13, 2015
Amended IN Assembly March 26, 2015
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2015–2016 REGULAR SESSION
Assembly Bill
No. 329
Introduced by Assembly Member Weber
February 13, 2015
An act to amend Sections 51930, 51931, 51932, 51933, 51934, 51935, 51936, 51937, 51938, and 51939 of, to amend the heading of Article 2 (commencing with Section 51933) of Chapter 5.6 of, to amend the heading of Chapter 5.6 (commencing with Section 51930) of, to amend and renumber the heading of Article 4 (commencing with Section 51935) and the heading of Article 5 (commencing with Section 51937) of Chapter 5.6 of, and to repeal the heading of Article 3 (commencing with Section 51934) of Chapter 5.6 of, Part 28 of Division 4 of Title 2 of, the Education Code, relating to pupil instruction.
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTAB 329, as amended, Weber. Pupil instruction: sexual health education. (1) Existing law, the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act, authorizes school districts to provide comprehensive sexual health education, consisting of age-appropriate instruction, in any of kindergarten and grades 1 to 12, inclusive, and requires school districts to ensure that all pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, receive HIV/AIDS prevention education, as specified. This bill would revise and recast these provisions to, among other things, integrate the instruction of comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education. The bill would rename the California Comprehensive Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS Prevention Education Act the California Healthy Youth Act. The bill would specify additional purposes of the act. The bill would instead require school districts to ensure that all pupils in grades 7 to 12, inclusive, receive comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education, as specified. By imposing additional requirements on school districts, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. (2) Existing law provides that these provisions do not apply to instruction or materials that discuss gender, sexual orientation, or family life and do not discuss human reproductive organs and their functions. This bill would instead provide that these provisions do not apply to instruction, materials, presentations, or programming that discuss gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation, relationships, or family and do not discuss human reproductive organs and their functions. (3) This bill would also make conforming changes. (4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions. Digest KeyVote: MAJORITY Appropriation: NO Fiscal Committee: YES Local Program: YES |
The full text of the bill is here.
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