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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 90
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
SEX EDUCATION: Creates a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of sexual
health education programs used throughout the state and other states
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To create a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of sexual health education2
programs used throughout the state and other states and to submit a written report of3
findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Health and Welfare, the4
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, the House Committee on Education, and5
the Senate Committee on Education not later than sixty days prior to the beginning6
of the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.7
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public8
education system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human9
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every10
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and11
WHEREAS, R.S. 17:281 authorizes each public elementary or secondary school in12
the state to offer age-appropriate instruction in subject matter designated as "sex education";13
and14
WHEREAS, Louisiana's rates of teen-birth and sexually transmitted disease such as15
chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV are among the highest in the nation; and16
WHEREAS, education is the key to reducing the number of cases of sexually17
transmitted disease and the number of teen pregnancies and to building stronger families and18
a healthier future for Louisiana; and19
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every20
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is imperative that a balanced21 HLS 13RS-520 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 90
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group of experts thoroughly study and evaluate sexual health education programs so that1
determinations can be made as to how the state can best provide experiences and2
opportunities to students that help them succeed in all aspects of life.3
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby creates4
a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of sexual health education programs used5
throughout the state and other states.6
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the7
following members:8
(1) A representative of the Department of Children and Family Services, designated9
by the secretary of the department.10
(2) A representative of the office of public health of the Department of Health and11
Hospitals, designated by the secretary of the department.12
(3) A representative of the state Department of Education, designated by the state13
superintendent of education.14
(4) One local school superintendent, designated by the president of the Louisiana15
Association of School Superintendents.16
(5) One public high school principal, designated by president of the Louisiana17
Association of Principals.18
(6) A representative of the Children's Defense Fund, designated by the director of19
the Louisiana office of the Children's Defense Fund.20
(7) The executive director of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies or his21
designee.22
(8) The executive director of Louisiana Women's Policy and Research Commission23
or his designee.24
(9) The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families25
or his designee.26
(10) The executive director of the Louisiana Assembly on School-Based Health Care27
or his designee.28
(11) The chief executive officer of the Louisiana Public Health Institute or his29
designee.30 HLS 13RS-520 ORIGINAL
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(12) The senior community coordinator of Connect to Protect or his designee.1
(13) The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Academy of2
Pediatrics or his designee.3
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of4
findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the House Committee on Health and5
Welfare, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, the House Committee on Education,6
and the Senate Committee on Education not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of7
the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.8
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this report shall focus on the evaluation of the9
effectiveness of sexual health and abstinence-only education programs used throughout the10
state and other states, particularly with respect to how these programs address high risk11
behaviors that result in teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and shall include12
information on the content of curricula and programs, the extent of use and participation by13
city, parish, and other local public school systems, the identification of areas of potential14
improvement, including how to address the state's high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually15
transmitted disease more effectively, and any recommendations for legislation related to16
sexual health education.17
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of the Department of Health and18
Hospitals or his designee shall be responsible for designating staff to assist the task force in19
performing its duties and, by August 1, 2013, convening the task force for its first meeting,20
at which the task force shall adopt rules of procedure, a work schedule, and any additional21
measures that it deems necessary for the timely performance of its duties.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force shall serve without23
compensation.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the25
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state26
superintendent of education, the executive director of the Office of Louisiana Youth for27
Excellence (LYFE), and the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals who shall28
be responsible for transmitting a copy to each of the groups, organizations, and offices from29
which the members of the task force are being selected or designated.30 HLS 13RS-520 ORIGINAL
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DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Smith HCR No. 90
Creates a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of sexual health education
programs used throughout the state and other states.
Provides that the task force shall have 13 members who shall serve without compensation:
(1)A representative of the Dept. of Children and Family Services, designated by the
secretary of the department.
(2)A representative of the office of public health of the Dept. of Health and Hospitals,
designated by the secretary of the department.
(3)A representative of the state Dept. of Education, designated by the state
superintendent of education.
(4)One local school superintendent, designated by the president of the La. Assoc. of
School Superintendents.
(5)One public high school principal, designated by president of the La. Assoc. of
Principals.
(6)A representative of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), designated by the director
of the La. office of CDF.
(7)The executive director of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies or his designee.
(8)The executive director of La. Women's Policy and Research Commission or his
designee.
(9)The executive director of the La. Partnership for Children and Families or his
designee.
(10)The executive director of the La. Assembly on School-Based Health Care or his
designee.
(11)The chief executive officer of the La. Public Health Institute or his designee.
(12)The senior community coordinator of Connect to Protect or his designee.
(13)The executive director of the La. chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics or
his designee.
Provides that at least 60 days before the 2014 R.S., the task force shall submit to the House
and Senate health and welfare committees and House and Senate education committees a
written report of findings, conclusions, and recommendations and that the report shall focus
on the evaluation of the effectiveness of sexual health and abstinence-only education
programs used throughout the state and other states, particularly with respect to how these
programs address high risk behaviors that result in teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted
diseases, and shall include information on the content of curricula and programs, the extent
of use and participation by public school systems, the identification of areas of potential
improvement, including how to address the state's high rate of teen pregnancy and sexually HLS 13RS-520 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 90
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transmitted diseases more effectively, and any recommendations for legislation related to
sexual health education.
Provides that the secretary of the Dept. of Health and Hospitals or his designee shall
designate staff to assist the task force and shall convene the first meeting by Aug. 1, 2013.