- Arizona law does not require schools to teach sex ed.
- Arizona Revised Statutes §§ 15-711, 15-716, and 15-102 state that if a school chooses to teach these topics, instruction must be age-appropriate, include instruction on the laws relating to sexual conduct with a minor (grades 7 through 12), and stress abstinence.
- Since enacting HB 2035 in May 2021, schools may no longer provide sex education prior to grade 5.
- If a school chooses to teach HIV education, such instruction must be medically accurate.
- Schools that choose to provide sex education must have the lessons approved by the school’s local governing board.
- All sex education materials and instruction that discuss sexual intercourse must emphasize that abstinence is the only method for avoiding pregnancy that is 100% effective.
- Sex ed lessons must also stress that STDs have severe consequences and constitute a serious and widespread public health problem.
- Lessons must include a discussion of the possible physical, emotional, and psychological consequences of preadolescent and adolescent sexual intercourse.
- Lessons must promote honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage.
- Lessons must advise pupils of Arizona law pertaining to the financial responsibilities of parenting and legal liabilities related to sexual intercourse with a minor.
- Since enacting HB 2035 in May 2021, parents are now required to provide writen consent for their children to attend sex education classes. This is known as an opt-in policy.
- Arizona’s Health Education Standards provide a foundation for curricula in the state for grades K-12.
Some Sex Ed Advocates Within the State
- Tucson Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coalition
- UA Planned Parenthood Generation Action
- Planned Parenthood of Arizona’s SHARE (Sexual Health and Responsible Education) program
For more detailed information on how various districts in the state have been implementing these standards — and for recent legislation — you can read SIECUS’s Arizona profile.