CHAPTER 163. EDUCATION PROGRAM ABOUT SEXUAL CONDUCT AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE - Texas Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

TITLE 2. HEALTH

SUBTITLE H. PUBLIC HEALTH PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 163. EDUCATION PROGRAM ABOUT SEXUAL CONDUCT AND SUBSTANCE

ABUSE

Sec. 163.001. PROGRAM. (a) The department shall develop a

model public health education program suitable for school-age

children and shall make the program available to any person on

request. The program should emphasize:

(1) that abstinence from sexual intercourse is the most

effective protection against unwanted teenage pregnancy, sexually

transmitted diseases, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome

(AIDS) when transmitted sexually;

(2) that abstinence from sexual intercourse outside of lawful

marriage is the expected societal standard for school-age

unmarried persons; and

(3) the physical, emotional, and psychological dangers of

substance abuse, including the risk of acquired immune deficiency

syndrome (AIDS) through the sharing of needles during intravenous

drug usage.

(b) Course materials and instruction relating to sexual

education or sexually transmitted diseases should be age

appropriate.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 51, eff. Sept. 1,

1991.

Sec. 163.002. INSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS. Course materials and

instruction relating to sexual education or sexually transmitted

diseases should include:

(1) an emphasis on sexual abstinence as the only completely

reliable method of avoiding unwanted teenage pregnancy and

sexually transmitted diseases;

(2) an emphasis on the importance of self-control,

responsibility, and ethical conduct in making decisions relating

to sexual behavior;

(3) statistics, based on the latest medical information, that

indicate the efficacy of the various forms of contraception;

(4) information concerning the laws relating to the financial

responsibilities associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and child

rearing;

(5) information concerning the laws prohibiting sexual abuse and

the legal and counseling options available to victims of sexual

abuse;

(6) information on how to cope with and rebuff unwanted physical

and verbal sexual advances, as well as the importance of avoiding

the sexual exploitation of other persons;

(7) psychologically sound methods of resisting unwanted peer

pressure; and

(8) emphasis, provided in a factual manner and from a public

health perspective, that homosexuality is not a lifestyle

acceptable to the general public and that homosexual conduct is a

criminal offense under Section 21.06, Penal Code.

Added by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 14, Sec. 51, eff. Sept. 1,

1991.

Sec. 163.003. ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS REGARDING HUMAN

PAPILLOMAVIRUS. Course materials and instruction relating to

sexually transmitted diseases must be available in English and in

Spanish and should include:

(1) the following specific information on human papillomavirus:

(A) that sexual intercourse is not required to become infected

with human papillomavirus and that the avoidance of skin-to-skin

contact involving the genital areas offers the best protection;

(B) that both males and females may be infected with human

papillomavirus and symptoms may not be present;

(C) that younger women are at greater risk of human

papillomavirus infection than older women; and

(D) that human papillomavirus may be transmitted to an infant

during childbirth;

(2) information regarding the role of human papillomavirus in

the development of genital warts, cervical cancer, and other

diseases; and

(3) information regarding the continuing need for women to

undergo Pap smear testing, even if they have received a

vaccination against human papillomavirus.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

59, Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2007.