Signed by Governor Bruce Rauner

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the sex education curriculum.

Highlights:

• Requires all classes that teach comprehensive sex education in grades 6 through 12 meet certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• All classes teach both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases;
• All classes teach that abstinence is a responsible and positive decision;
• All classes teach course material that is “developmentally and age appropriate” and  “medically accurate” and complete; 
• All classes stress that abstinence is the ensured method of avoiding unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS; and
• All classes replicate evidence-based programs or incorporate elements of evidence-based programs.

• Defines “medically accurate” as verified or supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes individuals, including parents or guardians, to examine the instructional materials to be used in comprehensive sex education classes (Sec. 5).

• Requires the State Board of Education to make available curriculum resources for comprehensive sex education classes on its’ Internet website (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes parents to submit a written objection to prevent their children from taking comprehensive sex education classes, without penalty (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that school districts that do not currently provide sex education are not required to teach sex education (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes school districts’ to choose and adapt the “developmentally and age appropriate”, medically accurate, evidence-based, and complete sex education curriculum that meets specific needs of the community (Sec. 5). 

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the sex education curriculum.

Highlights:

• Requires all classes that teach comprehensive sex education in grades 6 through 12 meet certain criteria including, but not limited to, the following criteria (Sec. 5):
• All classes teach both abstinence and contraception for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases;
• All classes teach that abstinence is a responsible and positive decision;
• All classes teach course material that is “developmentally and age appropriate” and  “medically accurate” and complete; 
• All classes stress that abstinence is the ensured method of avoiding unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, and HIV/AIDS; and
• All classes replicate evidence-based programs or incorporate elements of evidence-based programs.

• Defines “medically accurate” as verified or supported by the weight of research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and published in peer-reviewed journals (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes individuals, including parents or guardians, to examine the instructional materials to be used in comprehensive sex education classes (Sec. 5).

• Requires the State Board of Education to make available curriculum resources for comprehensive sex education classes on its’ Internet website (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes parents to submit a written objection to prevent their children from taking comprehensive sex education classes, without penalty (Sec. 5).

• Specifies that school districts that do not currently provide sex education are not required to teach sex education (Sec. 5).

• Authorizes school districts’ to choose and adapt the “developmentally and age appropriate”, medically accurate, evidence-based, and complete sex education curriculum that meets specific needs of the community (Sec. 5). 

Full Bill Text