MS HB999

Requires each local school board to adopt and implement either abstinence-only or abstinence-plus sex education curriculum by June 30, 2012, or adopt a program developed by the Mississippi Department of Human Services and Department of Health.

Establishes abstinence-only education as the state standard, which may include discussion of contraceptives only with factual presentation of risks and failure rates, but prohibits demonstrations on condom application.

Defines abstinence-plus education to include all abstinence-only components plus additional department-approved content such as information on sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptive methods, excluding condom application demonstrations.

Requires boys and girls to be separated into different gender-specific classrooms whenever sex-related education is discussed or taught, and prohibits any instruction suggesting abortion can prevent pregnancy.

Establishes a Teen Pregnancy Prevention Task Force to study and report annually on implementation of sex-related education courses and coordination of services to reduce teen pregnancy, with the task force and education requirements set to expire July 1, 2016.