HCS HB 1075 -- SCHOOL COURSE MATERIALS

SPONSOR:  Phillips (Davis)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Children
and Families by a vote of 8 to 3.

This substitute revises the current requirements for presenting
information in public schools relating to contraception and
sexually transmitted diseases.  Students must be informed that
personally and medically relevant information concerning
contraception, abortion, and pregnancy may be obtained from their
family practitioner rather than presenting students with the
latest medically factual information regarding side effects,
health benefits, and failure rates for the methods of preventing
pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.  Currently,
curriculum materials must be made available for inspection prior
to their use.  The substitute clarifies that the materials should
be available one week before use and also requires that schools
must make known the instructor's name and any affiliation with an
entity involved with human sexuality instruction at least one
week in advance.

No entity providing abortion services is permitted to furnish
materials or instruction.  The substitute also clarifies that its
provisions are applicable to charter schools.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say the bill will establish new
guidelines for school districts that want to teach sex education
curriculum, keeping abortion providers out of public and charter
schools.  This state has a long history of supporting legislation
that protects life from its inception to natural death.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Davis; Missouri Eagle
Forum; Missouri Right to Life; Campaign Life Missouri; Missouri
Family Network; Missouri Baptist Convention, Christian Life
Commission; Missouri Catholic Conference; America Asleep Know
More; Fellowship and Association of Christian Teachers; and Cheri
Pierce.

OPPONENTS:  Those who oppose the bill say it will eliminate
discussion of contraceptives in public schools that provide sex
education.  This kind of legislation does not provide accurate
information regarding contraceptives and pregnancy unless it is
religiously based.  The bill is an abstinence only bill that does
not respect our kids.

Testifying against the bill were Planned Parenthood of Kansas and
Mid-Missouri; Marcy Vansandt; Clarissa Jane Schuller; Steven
Plax, M.D.; Franklin McCallie; and Sarah Barasch.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:41 am