HF2986 Summary

• Create new statute 121A.231 establishing "responsible family life and sexuality education" programs for grades 6-12 that include abstinence-first approach, contraception and disease prevention education, and age-appropriate, medically accurate content based on scientific research.

• Require school districts to offer programs meeting these standards by the 2011-2012 school year, consult with parents or guardians when establishing policies, and provide alternative instruction for students whose parents object without imposing academic penalties.

• Allow parents or guardians to excuse their children from all or part of the program and require school districts to restrict public access to educational materials for students excused from the program.

• Direct the Department of Education and Department of Health to provide training, resources, and technical assistance to school districts and seek available federal funds from sources including the Office of Adolescent Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• Repeal Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 121A.23, which previously required programs to prevent sexually transmitted infections and diseases with emphasis on abstinence until marriage.