HB71 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Laura HallRepresentative

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Education, public K-12 schools, sex education, revising the focus of content, course materials and instructions provided, Sec. 16-40A-2 am'd.

Summary

HB 71 would shift Alabama public K-12 sex education to a more abstinence-focused approach with specific content requirements.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 16-40A-2 to require sex education programs to emphasize abstinence as the only completely reliable protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and to promote abstinence outside lawful marriage for unmarried students. It mandates age-appropriate, medically accurate materials and requires inclusion of several specified elements, such as self-control, information on contraception effectiveness, pregnancy and child-rearing laws, abuse reporting, and parenting responsibilities. It also contains language asserting that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under state law. The act would take effect on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

Who It Affects

• Public K-12 students in Alabama who are part of any program or curriculum that includes sex education or information about the human reproductive process, as the content would be revised to emphasize abstinence and specific elements.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-40A-2 to revise focus of sex education content and materials in public K-12 programs.
• Requires abstinence from sexual intercourse to be highlighted as the only completely reliable protection against unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
• Declares abstinence outside lawful marriage as the expected standard for unmarried school-age persons.
• Requires course materials to be age-appropriate and medically accurate.
• Lists nine required elements to be included in sex education materials, including self-control, information on contraception effectiveness, pregnancy/child-rearing laws, abuse reporting, resisting peer pressure, and parenting responsibilities.
• Contains language stating that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under state law.
• Effective date: first day of the third month following passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education