Louisiana HB 554: STUDENTS:  Authorizes the state Dept. of Education and the Dept. of Health to survey students regarding certain risk behavior associated with chronic health conditions

Bill Text

HLS 18RS-783 ORIGINAL
2018 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 554
BY REPRESENTATIVE SMITH
STUDENTS: Authorizes the state Dept. of Education and the Dept. of Health to survey
students regarding certain risk behavior associated with chronic health conditions
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 17:281(A)(2), relative to student health; to authorize the state
3 Department of Education and the Department of Health to survey students about risk
4 behavior associated with chronic health conditions; and to provide for related
5 matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 17:281(A)(2) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 §281. Instruction in sex education
9 A.
10 * * *
11 (2)(a) It is the intent of the legislature that, for the purposes of this Section,
12 "sex education" shall mean the dissemination of factual biological or pathological
13 information that is related to the human reproduction system and may include the
14 study of sexually transmitted disease, pregnancy, childbirth, puberty, menstruation,
15 and menopause, as well as the dissemination of factual information about parental
16 responsibilities under the child support laws of the state. It is the intent of the
17 legislature that "sex education" shall not include religious beliefs, practices in human
18 sexuality, nor the subjective moral and ethical judgments of the instructor or other
19 persons. Students shall not be tested, quizzed, or surveyed about their personal or
20 family beliefs or practices in about sex, morality, or religion.
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.

HLS 18RS-783 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 554
1 (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph,
2 the following may survey students anonymously about their risk behavior associated
3 with chronic health conditions, including those related to sexual health:
4 (i) The state Department of Education.
5 (ii) The Louisiana Department of Health.
6 * * *
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 554 Original 2018 Regular Session Smith
Abstract: Authorizes the state Dept. of Education and the Dept. of Health to survey
students anonymously about risk behavior associated with chronic health conditions.
Present law authorizes public schools to offer instruction in "sex education" if such
instruction is integrated into an existing course of study such as biology, science, physical
hygiene, or physical education. Prohibits testing, quizzing, or surveying students about their
personal beliefs or practices in sex, morality, or religion.
Proposed law adds an exception to present law by authorizing the state Dept. of Education
and the La. Dept. of Health to anonymously survey students about their risk behavior
associated with chronic health conditions, including those related to sexual health. Otherwise
retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:281(A)(2))
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.