H.B. 790 - Summary

• Amends section 3313.6011 of the Revised Code to establish and enforce venereal disease education requirements in Ohio school districts.

• Requires all venereal disease instruction courses to emphasize that abstinence is the only 100% effective protection against unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV transmission.

• Mandates course materials cover seven specific topics: abstinence until marriage, side effects of premarital sexual activity, consequences of out-of-wedlock childbearing, STD hazards, parental financial responsibility laws, age of consent laws (R.C. 2907.04), and adoption as an option for unintended pregnancies.

• Requires school districts offering additional sexual education beyond the mandated curriculum to notify parents and obtain written parental permission before instruction.

• Requires the Ohio Department of Education to conduct annual compliance audits at the start of each school year and publish findings within 120 days; allows parents to bring civil actions against non-compliant districts.