Senate Bill No. 1435

Introduced by Senator Jackson

February 19, 2016

An act to amend Section 33544 of the Education Code, relating to school curriculum.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

SB 1435, as introduced, Jackson. School curriculum: health education: healthy relationships.

Existing law requires the Instructional Quality Commission, during the next revision after January 1, 2016, of the publication “Health Framework for California Public Schools,” to consider including comprehensive information for grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on sexual harassment and violence, as specified.

This bill would instead require the commission to include that comprehensive information during the next revision after January 1, 2017, and also to include comprehensive information, for grades 1 to 8, inclusive, on the development of healthy relationships, as specified.

Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: no.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

SECTION 1.  

Section 33544 of the Education Code is amended
to read:

33544.  

(a) When the “Health Framework for California Public
Schools” (health framework) is next revised after January 1, begin delete 2016, end delete
begin insert 2017, end insert the commission shall begin delete consider including end delete begin insert include end insert
comprehensive information begin insert on both of the following: end insert begin delete for end delete

begin insert (1) end insert begin insert   end insert begin insert For end insert grades 9 to 12, inclusive, on sexual harassment and
violence that includes, but is not limited to, all of the following:

begin delete

(1)

end delete

begin insert ( end insert begin insert A) end insert  Information on different forms of sexual harassment and
violence, including instances that occur among peers and in a
dating relationship; a discussion of prevention strategies; how
pupils report sexual harassment and violence; and potential
resources victims can access.

begin delete

(2)

end delete

begin insert ( end insert begin insert B) end insert  Discussion of the affirmative consent standard, as defined
in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 67386, and skills
pupils use to establish boundaries in peer and dating relationships.

begin delete

(3)

end delete

begin insert ( end insert begin insert C) end insert  Discussion of legal aspects of sexual harassment and
violence under state and federal law.

begin insert

(2) For grades 1 to 8, inclusive, on the development of healthy
relationships, which shall be age and developmentally appropriate.

end insert

(b)  begin delete If the commission includes end delete begin insert In including end insert comprehensive
information on sexual harassment and violence begin insert and on the
development of healthy relationships end insert in the health framework, the
commission shall comply with both of the following:

(1) Ensure information included in the framework is begin delete research
based end delete begin insert research-based end insert and appropriate for pupils of all races,
genders, sexual orientations, gender identities, and ethnic and
cultural backgrounds. This may include, but shall not be limited
to, reviewing other states’ curricula.

(2) Consult with secondary health teachers and experts in sexual
harassment and violence curriculum.