ENROLLED
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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 90
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON
To create a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of sexual health education
programs used throughout the state and other states and to submit a written report of
findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Health and Welfare, the
Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, the House Committee on Education, and
the Senate Committee on Education not later than sixty days prior to the beginning
of the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, as stated in the Constitution of Louisiana, it is the goal of the public
education system to provide learning environments and experiences at all stages of human
development that are humane, just, and designed to promote excellence in order that every
individual may be afforded an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential; and
WHEREAS, R.S. 17:281 authorizes each public elementary or secondary school in
the state to offer age-appropriate instruction in subject matter designated as "sex education";
and
WHEREAS, Louisiana's rates of teen-birth and sexually transmitted disease such as
chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, and HIV are among the highest in the nation; and
WHEREAS, education is the key to reducing the number of cases of sexually
transmitted disease and the number of teen pregnancies and to building stronger families and
a healthier future for Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, in order to fulfill the state's constitutional duty of affording every
student an equal opportunity to develop to his full potential, it is imperative that a balanced
group of experts thoroughly study and evaluate sexual health education programs so that
determinations can be made as to how the state can best provide experiences and
opportunities to students that help them succeed in all aspects of life. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 90
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana hereby creates
a task force to study and evaluate the effectiveness of sexual health education programs used
throughout the state and other states.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall be composed of the
following members:
(1) A representative of the Department of Children and Family Services, designated
by the secretary of the department.
(2) A representative of the office of public health of the Department of Health and
Hospitals, designated by the secretary of the department.
(3) A representative of the state Department of Education, designated by the state
superintendent of education.
(4) One local school superintendent, designated by the president of the Louisiana
Association of School Superintendents.
(5) One public high school principal, designated by the president of the Louisiana
Association of Principals.
(6) A representative of the Children's Defense Fund, designated by the director of
the Louisiana office of the Children's Defense Fund.
(7) The executive director of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies or his
designee.
(8) The executive director of Louisiana Women's Policy and Research Commission
or his designee.
(9) The executive director of the Louisiana Partnership for Children and Families
or his designee.
(10) The executive director of the Louisiana Assembly on School-Based Health Care
or his designee.
(11) The chief executive officer of the Louisiana Public Health Institute or his
designee.
(12) The senior community coordinator of Connect to Protect or his designee.
(13) The executive director of the Louisiana chapter of the American Academy of
Pediatrics or his designee.
(14) The executive director of PICO Louisiana Interfaith Together or his designee. ENROLLEDHCR NO. 90
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall submit a written report of
findings, conclusions, and recommendations to the House Committee on Health and
Welfare, the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare, the House Committee on Education,
and the Senate Committee on Education not later than sixty days prior to the beginning of
the 2014 Regular Session of the Legislature of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this 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
city, parish, and other local public school systems, the identification of areas of potential
improvement, including how to address the state's high rates of teen pregnancy and sexually
transmitted disease more effectively, and any recommendations for legislation related to
sexual health education.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of the Department of Health and
Hospitals or his designee shall be responsible for designating staff to assist the task force in
performing its duties and, by August 1, 2013, convening the task force for its first meeting,
at which the task force shall adopt rules of procedure, a work schedule, and any additional
measures that it deems necessary for the timely performance of its duties.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that members of the task force shall serve without
compensation.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
president of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the state
superintendent of education, the executive director of the Office of Louisiana Youth for
Excellence (LYFE), and the secretary of the Department of Health and Hospitals who shall
be responsible for transmitting a copy to each of the groups, organizations, and offices from
which the members of the task force are being selected or designated.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATI VES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE