Table 1. Content Requirements for Sex and HIV Education

JurisdictionSex ed mandatedHIV ed mandatedEd must be medically accurateEd must be age-appropriateEd must include abstinenceEd must include contraceptionEd must cover consentEd must include sexual orientation and gender identityEd must cover healthy relationships
Alabama XXXStressX   
Arizona  HIVXStress    
Arkansas    Stress  *X
CaliforniaXXXXCoverX InclusiveX
Colorado  XXCoverXXInclusiveX
Connecticut X  CoverXXInclusiveX
DelawareXX  StressXXInclusiveX
District of ColumbiaXX XCoverXXInclusiveX
Florida  HIVXStress  Stigmatizing*X
GeorgiaXX  Stress    
HawaiiXXXXStressX  X
Idaho  X Stress   X
Illinois XXXCoverXXInclusiveX
Indiana X  Stress  * 
IowaX XX   *X
KentuckyX  XStress  *X
LouisianaXXX Stress  StigmatizingX
MaineX XXStressXX X
MarylandXXX CoverXXInclusiveX
Massachusetts        X
Michigan XXXStress    
MinnesotaXX  Stress    
MississippiX  XStress  Stigmatizing 
Missouri XXXStressX   
MontanaX        
Nebraska        X
NevadaXXHIVX     
New HampshireXX  Cover    
New JerseyXXXXStress XInclusiveX
New MexicoXX HIVCover (Sex), Stress (HIV)X  X
New York XHIVHIVStress (HIV)    
North CarolinaXXXXStressX Stigmatizing*X
North DakotaXX  Stress    
OhioXX  Stress   X
Oklahoma XHIV Stress  Stigmatizing 
OregonXXXXStressXXInclusiveX
Pennsylvania X HIVStress (HIV)   X
Rhode IslandXXXXStressX InclusiveX
South CarolinaX   StressX  X
South Dakota    Stress    
TennesseeXXXXStress   X
Texas   XStressX StigmatizingX
UtahX X Stress X  
VermontXX XCoverX  X
Virginia  XXCoverXX X
WashingtonXXXXStressXXInclusiveX
West VirginiaXX  CoverX  X
Wisconsin XHIV Stress    
TOTAL27 + DC30 + DC2626 + DC42 + DC20 + DC11 + DC20 + DC30 + DC

Notes: Table includes only those states with current policies relevant to this topic. In columns 3−9, “X” denotes a policy that applies to both sex and HIV education, while “Sex” and “HIV” denote policies that apply to only that type of instruction. In column 6, policies that emphasize abstinence as correct or preferable to sexual activity are marked as “Stress”; policies that require discussion of abstinence but do not require that it be presented as preferable to sexual activity are marked as “Cover.” In column 8, “Inclusive” policies require instruction on sexual orientation and gender that is inclusive of a range of sexualities and gender identities. “Stigmatizing” policies require instruction that portrays sexualities other than heterosexuality and gender identities other than cisgender as shameful, unacceptable or illegal. 

*State prohibits instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity, either completely or before certain grades.

 

Table 2. Parental Involvement Requirements for Sex and HIV Education

JurisdictionParental consent requiredParental notice requiredOpting out allowed
Alabama X 
Alaska XX
ArizonaSexXHIV
California XX
Colorado XX
Connecticut  X
District of Columbia XX
Florida  X
Georgia XX
Hawaii  X
Idaho  X
Illinois  X
IndianaXXX
Iowa XX
KentuckyXXX
Louisiana  X
Maine  X
Maryland XX
Massachusetts XX
Michigan XX
Minnesota  X
MississippiXXX
Missouri XX
Montana XX
NevadaXXX
New Hampshire XX
New Jersey  X
New Mexico  X
New York  HIV
North CarolinaXXX
Ohio  X
Oklahoma XX
Oregon XX
Pennsylvania HIVHIV
Rhode Island  HIV
South Carolina XX
Tennessee XX
Texas XX
UtahXXX
Vermont  HIV
Virginia XX
Washington XX
West Virginia  X
Wisconsin XX
TOTAL728 + DC42 + DC

Notes: Table includes only those states with current policies relevant to this topic. “X” denotes a policy that applies to both sex and HIV education, while “Sex” and “HIV” denote policies that apply to only that type of instruction.

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