New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

New York Assembly Bill A07496

Introduced
3/28/25  

Caption

Establishes the healthy and safe students act; requires comprehensive sexuality instruction for students in grades K-12 which includes a model curricula for comprehensive sexuality education and at a minimum conforms to the content and scope of national sexuality education standards.

Impact

The bill requires the Commissioner of Education to collaborate with the Commissioner of Health to develop a suitable curriculum. This comprehensive sexuality education program will incorporate best practices and resources that meet national standards. Potential areas of instruction include human anatomy, consent, healthy relationships, methods for preventing STIs and pregnancies, and social media's role in interpersonal relationships. By standardizing education on this critical subject, the bill aims to improve overall student well-being and promote healthier outcomes across the state.

Summary

A07496, known as the 'Healthy and Safe Students Act', seeks to mandate comprehensive sexuality education in all public and charter schools for students in grades K-12. The legislation outlines specific requirements for educational content aimed at equipping students with essential knowledge and skills related to human sexuality. The program must be age-appropriate, medically accurate, and inclusive, addressing physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of human sexuality. It emphasizes trauma-responsiveness and aims to cultivate respectful and supportive relationships among students, free from violence and discrimination.

Contention

While the bill has garnered support for its progressive approach to student education, there are concerns among various stakeholders regarding its potential implications. Critics may view the mandate as an overreach, arguing that such curriculum decisions should rest within local school boards. There may also be opposition based on differing opinions regarding sexuality education's role and appropriateness, with some advocating for parental control over educational content. The establishment of advisory councils within school districts, as proposed in the bill, aims to include community input, but it highlights the ongoing tension between state mandates and local autonomy in educational policies.

Companion Bills

NY S06901

Same As Establishes the healthy and safe students act; requires comprehensive sexuality instruction for students in grades K-12 which includes a model curricula for comprehensive sexuality education and at a minimum conforms to the content and scope of national sexuality education standards.

Previously Filed As

NY A04604

Requires comprehensive sexuality instruction for students in grades K-12 which includes a model curricula for comprehensive sexuality education and at a minimum conforms to the content and scope of national sexuality education standards.

NY A02842

Establishes the water safety instruction working group to study appropriate standards for curriculum on water safety instruction for students in grades kindergarten through twelve in the state.

NY S02545

Allows schools to provide water safety instruction to students in grades kindergarten through twelve; allows for the commissioner of education to provide technical assistance to develop curricula for water safety instruction.

NY A04846

Allows schools to provide water safety instruction to students in grades kindergarten through twelve; allows for the commissioner of education to provide technical assistance to develop curricula for water safety instruction.

NY A05318

Updates provisions relating to dignity for all students including establishing the student suicide prevention act which includes curriculum and teacher training requirements designed to prevent student suicide with a focus on LGBTQ students; makes an appropriation therefor.

NY S08380

Updates provisions relating to dignity for all students including establishing the student suicide prevention act which includes curriculum and teacher training requirements designed to prevent student suicide with a focus on LGBTQ students; makes an appropriation therefor.

NY A10552

Updates provisions relating to dignity for all students including establishing the student suicide prevention act which includes curriculum and teacher training requirements designed to prevent student suicide with a focus on LGBTQ students; makes an appropriation therefor.

NY S02386

Establishes a culturally responsive education curriculum and standards; requires all school districts, charter schools and private schools to integrate culturally responsive education throughout the education of all students at all grade levels; establishes a pilot program in culturally responsive education; appropriates $25,000,000 therefor.

NY A07835

Requires each district school board of education to publish on its website a list of all instructional materials, including those used to provide instruction and to provide notice to parents of their rights to attend school board meetings, access all educational learning materials and make objection to learning materials they find objectionable; requires the commissioner of education to promulgate model policies for ensuring parental notification of any instructional material that includes explicit content.

NY S09378

Requires the commissioner of education to develop and adopt instruction in financial and insurance literacy for students in grades nine through twelve.

Similar Bills

NY S06901

Establishes the healthy and safe students act; requires comprehensive sexuality instruction for students in grades K-12 which includes a model curricula for comprehensive sexuality education and at a minimum conforms to the content and scope of national sexuality education standards.

MN HF1013

Evidence-based literacy instruction required, report required, and money appropriated.

MN SF1257

Evidence-based literacy instruction requirement

NJ A5308

Requires school districts to provide instruction on risks of compulsive gambling as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A5296

"Safe Mobility Education Act"; requires public school instruction on pedestrian, cycling, and motor vehicle safety.

NJ S3666

Requires school districts to provide instruction on risks of compulsive gambling as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A3872

Requires school districts to provide instruction on mental health referral services as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.

NJ A1711

Requires school districts to provide instruction on risks of compulsive gambling as part of implementation of New Jersey Student Learning Standards in Comprehensive Health and Physical Education.