BILL REQ. #: H-0672.1

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HOUSE BILL 1178
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State of Washington

58th Legislature

2003 Regular Session

By Representatives Schual-Berke, Skinner, Cody, Hankins, Moeller, Chase, Darneille, Upthegrove, Hunt, McCoy, Grant, Cooper, Clibborn, Ruderman, Kenney, Wallace, Lantz, Hudgins, Pettigrew, Morrell, McDermott, Jarrett, Romero, Haigh, Hunter, Kagi, Conway and Simpson

Read first time 01/20/2003. Referred to Committee on Health Care.

AN ACT Relating to medically accurate information in sex education courses; adding a new section to chapter 70.54 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that:
     (1) It is essential for the health and safety of the young people of Washington state that they receive medically and factually accurate and objective information about sexuality, pregnancy, and sexually transmitted diseases;
     (2) Effective sexuality education programs discussing condoms and contraception help delay the onset of sexual activity, reduce the frequency of sex, and reduce the number of sexual partners; and
     (3) Medically accurate information in sex education classes has contributed to a recent decline in Washington state's teen pregnancy rate and can reduce human suffering and health care costs by minimizing sexually transmitted diseases.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 70.54 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) As used in this section, "medically accurate" means verified or supported by research conducted in compliance with scientific methods and published in peer-review journals, where appropriate, and recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the relevant field, including the American college of obstetricians and gynecologists, the department of health, or the centers for disease control and prevention.
     (2) All sexuality education courses paid for in whole or in part with public funds for use in public schools or elsewhere shall provide medically accurate information.
     (3) In addition to medically accurate information, sex educators shall present information that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the most effective means to prevent unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) when transmitted sexually. Sex educators shall provide students with statistics based on the latest medical information that cite failure and success rates of condoms and other contraceptives in preventing pregnancy, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases.
     (4) All material and instruction in classes that teach sex education and discuss sexual intercourse shall be age appropriate.

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