2009 House Bill 5163

Require "comprehensive sexuality” classes in public schools

Introduced in the House

June 25, 2009

Introduced by Rep. Alma Smith (D-54)

To require public schools to offer sex education classes that include “comprehensive sexuality education that is medically accurate and age-appropriate for all grade levels”.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Sept. 9, 2009

Reported without amendment

With amendments adopted by the House that water down some of the proposed provisions. See House-passed bill for details.

March 24, 2010

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

To require parental permission for a child to be enrolled in a sex education class, and require this be in writing. Under current law parents must be notified but unless they opt out the child is enrolled.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

To establish that the bill shall not be construed as allowing sex ed to be given to a child under age seven.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Justin Amash (R-72)

To clarify that certain provisions of the bill only apply to a district that chooses to offer comprehensive sex ed classes.

The amendment passed by voice vote

Amendment offered

To eliminate the proposed requirement that a school's sex ed classes include information on human sexuality that is "comprehensive," and not revise a detail of a provision that requires a discussion of "the benefits of abstinence," in which the benefits of "ceasing sex" if a student is sexually active are also discussed.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Amendment offered by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-45)

The amendment failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 61 to 47 (details)

To require that public schools which choose to offer offer sex education classes include “comprehensive sexuality education that is medically accurate and age-appropriate for all grade levels,” and to eliminate a provision in the requried abstinence emphasis that requires students be told of "the benefits of ceasing sexual activity".

Received in the Senate

April 14, 2010

Referred to the Committee on Education