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CS/CS/HB 545 — Reproductive Health and Disease Education
by Education and Employment Committee; Secondary Education and Career Development Subcommittee; and Rep. Chaney and others (CS/SB 410 by Criminal Justice Committee and Senator Rodriguez)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Criminal Justice Committee (CJ)
The bill amends ss. 1002.20 and 1003.42, F.S., to provide that each school district must notify parents of the right to make a written request to exempt his or her child from the teaching of reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS. This notification must be through publication on the district’s website homepage and include the process for a parent to exercise this right. The notification must also include a link for a student’s parent to access and review the instructional materials, as defined in s. 1006.29(2), F.S., used to teach the curriculum.
The bill amends s. 1003.42, F.S., to provide that all instructional materials, as defined in s. 1006.29(2), F.S., used to teach reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS, its symptoms, development, and treatment, as a part of a required course must be annually approved by a district school board in an open, noticed public meeting.
The bill amends s. 1006.40, F.S., to provide that each district school board is responsible for the content of instructional materials used to teach reproductive health or any disease, including HIV/AIDS, under ss. 1003.42(3) and 1003.46, F.S. Each district school board must adopt rules and each district school superintendent must implement procedures that provide a process for public review, public comment on, and the adoption of such materials.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2021.
Vote: Senate 36-4; House 82-24