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 the 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 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.