49-6-1005 - Sex education. - Tennessee Statutes

49-6-1005. Sex education.

(a)  It is unlawful for any person in any manner to teach courses in sex education pertaining to homo sapiens in the public, elementary, junior high or high schools in this state unless the courses are approved by the state board of education and the local school board involved, and taught by qualified instructors as determined by the local school board involved. Any such course in sex education shall, in addition to teaching facts concerning human reproduction, hygiene and health concerns, include presentations encouraging abstinence from sexual intercourse during the teen and pre-teen years. With respect to sex education courses otherwise offered in accordance with the requirements of this subsection (a), no instructor shall be construed to be in violation of this section for answering in good faith any question, or series of questions, germane and material to the course, asked of the instructor and initiated by a student or students enrolled in the course.

(b)  This section shall not apply to general high school courses in biology, physiology, health, physical education or home economics taught to classes.

(c)  A violation of this section is a Class C misdemeanor.

[Acts 1969, ch. 304, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A., § 49-1924; Acts 1987, ch. 388, § 1; 1987, ch. 427, § 1; 1989, ch. 591, § 113.]