This bill would update the current curriculum and requirements for teaching sex education to Alabama students. This including removing the provision that requires schools to teach that homosexuality "is not a lifestyle acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under the laws of the state". This is homophobic language is untrue. It would also update outdated language in the bill, such as confusing HIV and AIDS as well as using the phrases "sexually transmitted infections" and "sexually transmitted diseases" when appropriate.
Status
This bill was introduced by Rep. Hall on February 4, 2020. It was assigned to the House Education Policy Committee, where it passed with one amendment, reinserting stricken language regarding statistics about contraception. This amendment calls for related statistics to indicate the degree of reliability and unreliability of various forms of contraception, while also emphasizing the increase in protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections and diseases. The bill was favorably passed out of committee on February 26, 2020. It will be adopted in the Alabama Senate so that an identical companion Senate bill is created.
News
- 2/26/2019 - Alabama lawmakers to consider these 12 bills affecting women [AL.com]