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)]
HB 359 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Wesley Bishop
Abstract: Requires public school governing authorities in Orleans Parish to offer sex education
instruction to students in grades seven through 12.
Present law authorizes all public elementary and secondary schools to offer instruction in sex
education in grades seven and above and allows the Orleans Parish School Board to offer such
instruction beginning in grade three. Provides that any sex education instruction offered be
integrated into an existing course of study and limits the content of such instruction to scientific
information that shall not include religious beliefs, practices in human sexuality, or subjective moral
and ethical judgments. Provides that the major emphasis of any sex education instruction shall be
to encourage sexual abstinence between unmarried persons.
Proposed law relative to Orleans Parish, requires public school governing authorities to adopt a
policy that includes a plan for offering sex education instruction to students. Requires such
governing authorities to offer the instruction in grades seven through 12 instead of permitting such
instruction and specifies that such instruction be comprehensive, age and developmentally
appropriate, medically accurate, and evidence-informed. Defines such terms for purposes of
proposed law. Otherwise retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:281(H))