A bill that would require the inclusion of abstinence education in any human sexuality or sexually transmitted diseases curriculum received final passage today in the state Senate.
Senate Bill 71, as amended in the House, passed by a 36-1 vote.
Bill sponsor Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, said the House amendment makes clear that the legislation is not an abstinence-only bill. Though the legislation would require abstinence education to be a part of any sexual education curriculum offered to students, the curriculum will “not be limited to abstinence and monogamy,” he said.
The provisions of SB 71 would be included in comprehensive sexual health education standards that are currently under review by the state education department if the measure becomes law.