Indiana House Bill HB1047

Indiana 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/4/22
• Refer: 1/4/22

Caption

Sexual health education.

Impact

The bill aims to standardize sexual health education across schools, ensuring that materials and instruction are based on scientific evidence and best practices. Among the requirements, schools must provide comprehensive sexual health education at various educational stages, specifically in grades 5, 6-8, and 9-12, and annually report on the curricula used. The intent is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to make informed decisions regarding their sexual health and relationships while respecting their diverse backgrounds.

Summary

House Bill 1047 focuses on amending the state education code to enhance sexual health education in Indiana schools. It prohibits the State Board of Education from distributing HIV literature to students without the consent of the school corporation's governing body. The bill also mandates that instruction regarding human sexuality and sexually transmitted diseases in state-accredited schools must be medically and scientifically accurate, age-appropriate, and comprehensive in nature. This includes topics on consent, healthy relationships, and effective communication skills.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding HB 1047 include debates over the emphasis on abstinence, which is positioned as the expected standard of behavior. Critics argue that such a focus may not adequately address the realities of student behavior and could exclude discussions about safe sex practices. Additionally, opponents raise concerns about the appropriateness and effectiveness of requiring consent education and its placement within broader sexual health discussions. The implications of parental consent for distributing HIV literature further complicate the debate, with advocates for comprehensive sexual health education fearing that this could hinder access to important health information.