Purpose of the Bill

The purpose of this bill is to revise and enhance the program requirements for preventing and reducing the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and diseases within Minnesota school districts.

Main Provisions

• Program Development: The bill mandates the commissioner of education, in partnership with the commissioner of health, to support school districts in creating and executing STI prevention programs. These programs should cover various infections, including HIV and HPV.

• Curriculum Requirements: School districts must provide a comprehensive curriculum that is medically and scientifically based, unbiased, and current. This curriculum should encourage students to abstain from sexual activity until marriage.

• Risk Targeting and Cooperation: The bill emphasizes targeting high-risk adolescents for prevention efforts and promotes cooperation among school districts, service cooperatives, and local health organizations.

• Community Involvement: Districts are encouraged to involve parents and community members in their programs.

• Training and Collaboration: It requires in-service training for school staff and collaboration with state and local health agencies and organizations working on STI prevention.

• Nonpublic School Participation: Assistance at a neutral site will be available for nonpublic schools participating in the district's STI prevention program.

• State and Local Involvement: There is an expectation for participation from state and local student organizations in these efforts.

• Department Support: If a district fails to implement its own program, the department is responsible for facilitating the development or execution through the regional service cooperative.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill amends the existing statute by introducing more detailed and stringent requirements for STI and disease prevention education. It updates the criteria for curriculum content to ensure it is fact-based, and it clearly outlines a structure for community and inter-organizational collaboration. Additionally, it highlights the department's role in assisting districts that cannot fulfill these requirements independently.

Relevant Terms

sexually transmitted infections (STIs), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human papilloma virus (HPV), education program, curriculum, abstinence, health education, community cooperation, parental involvement, public health agencies.