SEX EDUCATION TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ASSAULT

AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INSTRUCTION

House Bill 5785 as introduced

Sponsor:  Rep. Kimberly LaSata

Committee:  Law and Justice

Complete to 4-23-18

SUMMARY:

House Bill 5785 would amend the Revised School Code to add information on teen dating violence and sexual assault and domestic violence to the material and instruction included in the optional sex education curriculum offered to students.

Currently, Section 1507 of the Code gives school districts the option to provide a class in sex education, which is an elective and not a requirement for graduation. A student’s parent or guardian may opt the student out of participation in the class. A school district offering a sex education class must create a sex education advisory board to set program goals, review materials and methods of instruction, and periodically evaluate compliance.

The curriculum currently includes instruction on abstinence, healthy dating behavior, and the consequences of sexual activity.

The bill would add to the materials and instruction to be included in that class. It would require that the materials and instruction provided to 11th- and 12th-grade students include instruction on teen dating violence and sexual assault, including the following:

·         The characteristics of a healthy relationship.

·         Identifying teen dating violence, verbal abuse, nonverbal abuse, physical intimidation, stalking, physical abuse, inappropriate sexual behavior, sexual harassment, sexual violence, sexual assault, and internet abuse and cyberbullying.

·         Relationships that are voluntary, healthy, and safe.

·         Locating sources for legal, medical, mental health, and other supportive services regarding teen dating violence and sexual assault.

·         Communication skills that help students discuss and resolve conflicts within intimate relationships with respect and nonviolence.

·         Critical thinking skills.

·         Skills to negotiate with a dating partner.

·         Skills for students to recognize and understand their own individual boundaries and recognize and respect the boundaries of others.

Additionally, the bill would require that the materials and instruction provided to 11th- and 12th-grade students include instruction on domestic violence, including the following:

·         Domestic violence awareness.

·         Healthy behaviors in relationships.

·         Identifying the signs that an individual may be a victim of domestic violence.

·         Identifying the behaviors associated with an abuser or perpetrator of domestic violence.

·         The primary prevention of violence perpetration.

·         Identifying risk factors for perpetration of domestic violence, including a history of violence or aggression; witnessing or being a victim of violence as a child; substance abuse; and unemployment or other life events that cause stress.

·         The types of behaviors that may occur in conjunction with domestic violence, including physical and sexual violence, threats, and emotional, verbal, and financial abuse.

·         The physical injury, mental health consequences, suicide attempts, substance abuse, sexually transmitted infections, and other health consequences that a victim of domestic violence may experience.

·         How victims of domestic violence may seek assistance and how friends or family members of victims may provide assistance to them.

Under the bill, school districts would be allowed to work with governmental, nonprofit, and private entities to develop a curriculum for this instruction.

The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment.

MCL 380.1507b

FISCAL IMPACT:

House Bill 5785 would have no fiscal impact for the state, but could increase one-time costs for school districts to update their 11th- and 12th-grade sexual education curricula to include added content concerning teen dating, sexual assault, and domestic violence.

                                                                                        Legislative Analyst:   Jenny McInerney

                                                                                               Fiscal Analysts:   Bethany Wicksall

                                                                                                                           Samuel Christensen

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.