HB 39 – AS INTRODUCED
2005 SESSION
04/10
HOUSE BILL 39
AN ACT relative to sex education in public schools.
SPONSORS: Rep. Albert, Straf 1; Rep. Cady, Rock 1; Rep. Souza, Hills 11
This bill sets forth criteria for instruction and course materials on sex education in public schools.
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Explanation: Matter added to current law appears in bold italics.
Matter removed from current law appears [in brackets and struckthrough.]
Matter which is either (a) all new or (b) repealed and reenacted appears in regular type.
05-0001
04/10
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
In the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Five
AN ACT relative to sex education in public schools.
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 New Section; School Boards; Instruction of Pupils; Sex Education. Amend RSA 189 by inserting after section 27-b the following new section:
189:27-c Sex Education in Public Schools.
I. No pupil shall be required to take or participate in any class or course in comprehensive sex education if a parent or guardian submits written objection thereto. Refusal to take or participate in such course or program shall not be reason for suspension or expulsion of such pupil. Each class or course in comprehensive sex education offered in any of grades 6 through 12 shall include instruction on the prevention, transmission, and spread of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Nothing in this section shall prohibit instruction in sanitation, hygiene, or traditional courses in biology.
II. All public elementary, junior high, and senior high school classes that teach sex education and discuss sexual intercourse shall emphasize that abstinence is the expected norm in that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the only protection that is 100 percent effective against unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and AIDS when transmitted sexually.
III. All sex education courses that discuss sexual intercourse shall satisfy the following criteria:
(a) Course material and instruction shall be age appropriate.
(b) Course material and instruction shall teach honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage.
(c) Course material and instruction shall stress that pupils should abstain from sexual intercourse until they are ready for marriage.
(d) Course material and instruction shall include a discussion of the possible emotional and psychological consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sexual intercourse outside of marriage and the consequences of unwanted adolescent pregnancy.
(e) Course material and instruction shall stress that sexually transmitted diseases are serious possible hazards of sexual intercourse. Pupils shall be provided with statistics based on the latest medical information citing the failure and success rates of condoms in preventing AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
(f) Course material and instruction shall advise pupils of the laws pertaining to their financial responsibility to children born in and out of wedlock.
(g) Course material and instruction shall advise pupils of the circumstances under which it is unlawful for a person to have sexual relations with another person under the age of 16 to whom they are not married.
(h) Course material and instruction shall teach pupils not to 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 to exploit another person. The material and instruction shall also encourage youth to resist negative peer pressure.
(i) Course material and instruction shall advise pupils of the provisions of the safe haven law set forth in RSA 132-A and provide information about responsible parenting and the availability of confidential adoption services.
IV. An opportunity shall be afforded to parents or guardians to examine the instructional materials to be used in such class or course.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.