SB168 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Tom Whatley

Republican

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

SB 168 would change Alabama public K-12 sex education by shifting focus to abstinence, marriage norms, and a set of specified topics in any program that includes sex education.

What This Bill Does

It amends Section 16-40A-2 to require that any public school sex education program emphasize abstinence as the only completely reliable protection and that sexual activity outside of lawful marriage is the expected standard for unmarried students. It mandates age-appropriate and medically accurate course materials and requires inclusion of nine specified elements, such as self-control, information on pregnancy costs and child support, abuse reporting, resisting peer pressure, and parenting responsibilities. It also adds a public health perspective that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle and that homosexual conduct is a crime 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 school students in Alabama who participate in sex education or human reproductive process programs would experience the revised content and topics.
• Educators, curriculum developers, and school administrators responsible for delivering sex education would need to implement the revised content, materials, and requirements.

Key Provisions

• Amends Section 16-40A-2 to revise the focus of content, course materials, and instruction in public K-12 sex education.
• Requires abstinence to be presented as the only completely reliable method to avoid unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, and states that abstinence outside lawful marriage is the expected standard for unmarried youths.
• Stipulates that course materials be age-appropriate and medically accurate.
• Requires inclusion of nine elements in the instruction, including self-control, information about pregnancy costs and child support, abuse reporting and legal options, resisting unwanted peer pressure, and parenting responsibilities.
• Adds a public health-oriented statement that homosexuality is not an acceptable lifestyle and that homosexual conduct is a criminal offense under state law.
• Explicitly includes information on laws relating to financial responsibilities associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and child rearing, including penalties for non-payment of child support.
• Effective date: the act becomes law on the first day of the third month after passage and governor approval.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education