MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Alabama lawmakers have sent Gov. Kay Ivey a bill that would require public schools to emphasize abstinence in sex education and prohibit comprehensive sex education, adding new restrictions to a patchwork system that already gives districts broad discretion over whether and how they teach the subject.
How sex education is handled now varies widely across Alabama school systems. Some districts offer limited instruction tied to health classes or outside programs, while others provide little or no formal sex education at all, leaving many students without a consistent statewide curriculum.
The bill, SB209, would require schools that teach sex education to present abstinence as the only completely effective protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, according to legislative reporting. It also would require advance notice to parents and allow them to opt their children out of the instruction.
Critics of abstinence-only education say the approach does not give students the medically accurate information they need about contraception, consent and STI prevention. Supporters have argued the bill reinforces sexual risk avoidance and traditional values.
The legislation now awaits action from the governor.