Bill > SB3310

This bill amends Tennessee law regarding family life education curricula, emphasizing an "abstinence-centered" approach, which means promoting sexual risk avoidance as the primary goal and teaching life skills to make healthy decisions. The bill defines key terms like "abstinence" (not engaging in activities that risk pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases), "age-appropriate" (tailored to students' developmental levels), and "medically accurate" (based on peer-reviewed science). It establishes a process for parents to file complaints if they believe a curriculum or instructor violates these requirements, with investigations and reporting to the state commissioner and legislative committees. Furthermore, it grants parents a legal right to sue instructors or organizations that promote "gateway sexual activity" (behavior that encourages non-abstinent choices) or demonstrate prohibited sexual activity, with potential damages and fines, though this right does not apply to teachers employed by local education agencies (LEAs). The bill clarifies that these requirements apply to all sex education instruction, regardless of course title, but does not prohibit the scientific study of the reproductive system in subjects like biology or health.