MS HB254

Requires Department of Human Services to provide TANF recipients ages 13-20 with information and referral to programs covering birth control, prenatal health care, abstinence education, marriage education, parenting skills, family preservation, and fatherhood.

Mandates TANF recipients ages 13-20 participate in educational activities emphasizing abstinence as the only 100% effective protection against pregnancy, STIs, and HIV; requires fathers to participate after paternity is legally established.

Establishes comprehensive criteria for sex education courses including medically accurate information about contraception, abstinence, STI prevention, financial responsibility for children, sexual assault prevention, and age-appropriate developmental instruction.

Directs Division of Medicaid to provide similar information and referral services to Medicaid recipients ages 13-20 and require their participation in these programs, with fathers required to participate after paternity determination.

Prioritizes unspent TANF funds from prior fiscal years first for nursing education course expenses and child care costs for nursing students; requires parental access to review instructional materials.