SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 647
89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR HOUSE.
Pre-filed January 5, 1998, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
S2449.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 170, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to sexual education in public schools.
Section A. Chapter 170, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 170.015, to read as follows:
170.015. 1. Any course materials and instruction relating to human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases shall:
(1) Present abstinence from sexual activity as the preferred choice of behavior in relation to all sexual activity for unmarried persons;
(2) Devote more attention to abstinence from sexual activity than to any other behavior;
(3) Emphasize that abstinence from sexual activity is the only method that is one hundred percent effective in preventing pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and the emotional trauma associated with adolescent sexual activity;
(4) Direct adolescents to a standard of behavior in which abstinence from sexual activity before marriage is recognized as the most effective way to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases;
(5) Teach contraception and condom use in terms of real human use failure rates instead of theoretical laboratory rates, if instruction on contraception and condoms is included in curriculum content;
(6) Stress that sexually transmitted diseases are serious, possible, health hazards of sexual activity. Pupils shall be provided with statistics based on the latest medical information citing failure and success rates of condoms and other contraceptives in preventing acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), human papilloma virus and other sexually transmitted diseases, if instruction on contraception and condoms is included in curriculum content;
(7) Include a discussion of the possible emotional and psychological consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sexual activity outside of marriage and the consequences of unwanted adolescent pregnancy and emphasize the importance of respect for monogamous marriage;
(8) Advise pupils that teenage sexual activity places them at a higher risk of dropping out of school because of the consequences of sexually transmitted diseases and unplanned pregnancy;
(9) Advise pupils of the laws pertaining to their financial responsibility to children born in and out of wedlock and that it is unlawful for persons of any age to have sexual relations with underage persons to whom they are not married pursuant to chapter 566, RSMo;
(10) Emphasize that the pupil has the power to control personal behavior. Pupils shall be encouraged to base their actions on reasoning, self-discipline, sense of responsibility, self-control, and ethical considerations, such as respect for one's self and others; and
(11) Teach pupils to not make unwanted physical and verbal sexual advances and how to say no to unwanted sexual advances. Pupils shall be taught that it is wrong to take advantage of, or exploit, another person. The material and instruction shall also encourage youth to resist negative peer pressure.
2. A school district shall not distribute condoms or other contraceptives. Policies concerning referrals and parental notification regarding contraception may be determined by local school boards. Such policies shall be applied in a manner which is consistent with the provisions of section 167.611, RSMo.
3. A school district which provides human sexuality instruction may separate students according to gender for instructional purposes.
4. The board of a school district shall determine the specific content of the district's instruction in human sexuality, in accordance with subsections 1 to 3 of this section, and shall ensure that all instruction in human sexuality is appropriate to the age of the students receiving such instruction.
5. A school district shall notify the parent or legal guardian of each student enrolled in the district of:
(1) The basic content of the district's human sexuality instruction to be provided to the student; and
(2) The parent's right to remove the student from any part of the district's human sexuality instruction.
6. A school district shall make all curriculum materials used in the district's human sexuality instruction available for public inspection pursuant to chapter 610, RSMo, prior to the use of such materials in actual instruction.