Bill > HB0121

This bill amends Utah's health education law by expanding and clarifying the curriculum requirements for health education in public schools, with a particular focus on sexual health and safety. The bill introduces several new definitions, including "emotional manipulation," "grooming," "sexual coercion," and "sexual violence behavior prevention education," which aim to provide more comprehensive guidance for educators when teaching sensitive topics. The changes require schools to include instruction on refusal skills, the legal implications of electronically distributing sexually explicit images, sexual assault resource strategies, and sexual violence behavior prevention education. The bill mandates that instruction must stress abstinence and fidelity, prohibit explicit sexual content, and provide age-appropriate education on topics like communicable disease prevention and personal hygiene. Local education agency (LEA) governing boards are now required to review policies and relevant county-level data every two years, including teen pregnancy rates, child sexual abuse statistics, and sexually transmitted disease information, to inform their health education approaches. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of professional development for teachers to effectively and sensitively address these topics while maintaining appropriate boundaries. The amendments are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, giving schools time to prepare and implement the new requirements.

https://le.utah.gov/~2025/bills/static/HB0121.html