SLS 15RS-206 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 31
BY SENATOR MORRELL
STUDENTS. Authorizes surveys of public school students in Orleans Parish regarding risk
behaviors. (8/1/15)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:281(A)(2), relative to instruction in sex education; to provide
3 relative to surveys of students in Orleans Parish schools; to authorize public school
4 governing authorities in Orleans Parish to allow students to be surveyed about their
5 risk behaviors; and to provide for related matters.
6 Notice of intention to introduce this Act has been published.
7 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 17:281(A)(2) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
9 ยง281. Instruction in sex education
10 A.
11 * * *
12 (2) It is the intent of the legislature that, for the purposes of this Section, "sex
13 education" shall mean the dissemination of factual biological or pathological
14 information that is related to the human reproduction system and may include the
15 study of sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy, childbirth, puberty, menstruation,
16 and menopause, as well as the dissemination of factual information about parental
17 responsibilities under the child support laws of the state. It is the intent of the
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 31
SLS 15RS-206 ORIGINAL
1 legislature that "sex education" shall not include religious beliefs, practices in human
2 sexuality, nor the subjective moral and ethical judgments of the instructor or other
3 persons. Students shall not be tested, quizzed, or surveyed about their personal or
4 family beliefs or practices in sex, morality, or religion; however, the governing
5 authority of a public school in Orleans Parish may allow students to be surveyed
6 about their risk behaviors, including those related to sexual health.
7 * * *
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Jeanne C. Johnston.
DIGEST
SB 31 Original 2015 Regular Session Morrell
Present law authorizes public elementary and secondary schools to offer instruction in sex
education in grades seven and above, provided that such instruction is integrated into an
existing course of study such as biology, science, physical hygiene, or physical education.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law prohibits students from being tested, quizzed, or surveyed about their personal
beliefs or practices in sex, morality, or religion.
Proposed law adds an exception to present law to authorize public school governing
authorities in Orleans Parish to allow students to be surveyed about their risk behaviors,
including those related to sexual health.
Effective August 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 17:281(A)(2))
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.