HB 13 — AN ACT relating to health education.

Summary

Repeal and reenact KRS 158.1415 to require each school district to provide healthy relationship education instruction to all public school students; establish minimum requirements for the instruction; establish minimum requirements for the healthy relationship curricula and instructional materials; prohibit a school or school district from restricting the ability of an instructor to answer a question related to the instruction; require that a school make the healthy relationship curricula and instructional materials available upon the request of a parent or guardian and establish a procedure for a parent or guardian to opt a student out of the instruction; require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations necessary to implement, administer, and enforce this section; require the Kentucky Board of Education to promulgate administrative regulations requiring that each school district submit a report on healthy relationship instruction in the district biennially; require the Kentucky Department of Education to maintain a list of recommended healthy relationship curricula and instructional materials; permit a parent or guardian to file an enforcement action in Circuit Court.

Bill Text

• Introduced View text Current pdf

Compared against the Kentucky Revised Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill repeals and reenacts KRS 158.1415 to mandate comprehensive healthy relationship instruction in schools, replacing existing requirements for human sexuality education.

• KRS 158.1415

  158.1415 Curriculum for instruction on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases -- Written consent of parents -- Notification to parents -- Provision of alternative curriculum -- Exceptions. → The healthy relationship instruction required by subsection (2) of this section shall include instruction that is age, developmentally, and culturally appropriate on:

  The bill replaces the existing human sexuality curriculum framework with a broader focus on healthy relationship instruction.

• KRS 158.1415

  If a school council or, if none exists, the principal adopts a curriculum for human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases, instruction shall include but not be limited to the following content: → Beginning in the 2023-2024 school year, each school district shall provide healthy relationship instruction to all public school students in kindergarten through grade twelve (12).

  The bill mandates that all public schools provide healthy relationship instruction for all grades.

• KRS 158.1415

  Abstinence from sexual activity is the desirable goal for all school-age children; Abstinence from sexual activity is the only certain way to avoid unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and other associated health problems; → The benefits of abstinence;

  The bill includes a new emphasis on discussing the benefits of abstinence within the context of healthy relationships instead of a singular focus on abstinence.

• KRS 158.1415

  A policy to respect parental rights by ensuring that: Except as provided in subsection (4)(b) of this section, children in grade five (5) and below do not receive any instruction through curriculum or programs on human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases; → A school or school district shall not restrict the ability of an instructor to answer a question initiated by a student that is related to and consistent with this section.

  The bill allows instructors to answer student questions about healthy relationships and human sexuality without restrictions.

• KRS 158.1415

  Any course, curriculum, or program offered by a public school on the subject of human sexuality provided by school personnel or by third parties authorized by the school shall: → The healthy relationship instruction required by subsection (2) of this section shall implement curricula and instructional materials that:

  The bill establishes that healthy relationship instruction must follow specific criteria for inclusivity and effectiveness.

• KRS 158.1415

  Nothing in this section shall prohibit school personnel from: Discussing human sexuality, including the sexuality of any historic person, group, or public figure, where the discussion provides necessary context in relation to a topic of instruction from a curriculum approved pursuant to KRS 160.345;

  The bill removes the previous section allowing limited discussion of human sexuality in specific contexts.

Action History

1. January 04, 2022

   to Committee on Committees (H)

2. January 04, 2022

   introduced in House

3. June 01, 2021

   Prefiled by the sponsor(s).

Sponsors

• Lisa Willner · Primary
• K. Flood · Primary
• J. Jenkins · Primary
• Nima Kulkarni · Primary
• Mary Lou Marzian · Primary
• J. Raymond · Primary
• A. Scott · Primary

Subjects