Bill > HB461

This bill requires comprehensive, medically accurate sexuality and human development education in Missouri schools, with several key provisions. The instruction must emphasize sexual abstinence as the preferred behavior, present factual information about sexually transmitted diseases, discuss contraception methods, explore emotional consequences of sexual activity, and teach personal responsibility and consent. New for the 2025-26 school year, the bill mandates that schools include a human growth and development discussion starting in third grade, which must feature a high-definition ultrasound video showing early fetal development and a video demonstrating fertilization and pregnancy stages. The bill requires schools to notify parents about sexuality instruction content and provide them the option to remove their children from such lessons. Notably, the bill prohibits schools from working with abortion service providers for sexuality education and grants the Missouri Attorney General the authority to sue on behalf of state residents to enforce these requirements. The instruction must cover topics like sexual predator awareness, legal responsibilities related to sexual activity, sexual harassment, and consent, with definitions provided for these terms. Schools are given flexibility in how they implement the instruction while being required to ensure age-appropriate content and make curriculum materials publicly available for inspection.

https://house.mo.gov/Bill.aspx?bill=HB461&year=2025&code=R