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H. B. No. 1004 *HR31/R312* ~ OFFICIAL ~ G1/2
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To: Public Health and Human
Services; Education
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives Butler-Washington,
James-Jones
HOUSE BILL NO. 1004
AN ACT TO CREATE THE "COMPREHENSIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH AND 1
EDUCATION ACT" WHICH AUTHORIZES THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2
TO ENTER INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, TO 3
OVERSEE THE DEVELOPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION OF THE CURRICULUM AND 4
TRAINING PROGRAMS RELATED TO COMPREHENSIVE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH; 5
AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. 6
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: 7
SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the 8
"Comprehensive Reproductive Health and Education Act." 9
SECTION 2. The following words shall have the meanings 10
described herein as follows: 11
(a) "Comprehensive Education" means and refers to 12
age-appropriate, medically accurate, and inclusive instruction on 13
reproductive health, contraception, STD/STI prevention, and 14
healthy relationships. 15
(b) "Medical Professional" means and includes licensed 16
physicians, nurses, and healthcare practitioners with expertise in 17
sexual health. 18
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(c) "Trained Advocate" means and refers to an 19
individual certified in delivering reproductive health education, 20
including STD/STI prevention and counseling. 21
(d) "Permission Slip" means a signed document from a 22
parent or guardian granting consent for a student to participate 23
in the educational program. 24
SECTION 3. (1) There is hereby created a program entitled 25
the Comprehensive Reproductive Health and Education program to be 26
administered by the State Department of Education, for purposes 27
entering into partnership with the Department of Health, to 28
oversee the development and distribution of the curriculum and 29
training programs described in this act. 30
(2) School districts are authorized to opt in to this 31
program and those so doing shall receive guidance, support, and 32
materials from the Department of Education to ensure compliance 33
with this act. School districts that opt in must ensure the 34
program aligns with local policies and notify parents/guardians of 35
the opportunity. 36
(3) The program shall be made available to any student age 37
sixteen (16) years of age or older currently enrolled in high 38
school provided that: 39
(a) The student's parent or guardian signed a 40
permission slip for inclusion in the program; and 41
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(b) No student is required to participate and a 42
student's failure to participate and does not adversely affect a 43
student's academic standing. 44
(4) Instruction under the program shall be: 45
(a) Conducted by medical professionals or trained 46
advocates with expertise in reproductive health and STD/STI 47
education; and 48
(b) Conducted by medical professionals who have 49
completed certified training on inclusive and culturally sensitive 50
teaching practices. 51
(5) (a) The program's curriculum shall provide accurate 52
evidence-based information, which at a minimum, addresses the 53
following components: 54
(i) Reproductive anatomy and health; 55
(ii) Contraception methods and their 56
effectiveness; 57
(iii) Prevention and treatment of STDs/STIs; and 58
(iv) Consent, healthy relationships, and 59
communication skills. 60
(b) The curriculum must be inclusive and respectful of 61
diverse cultural, religious, and personal values. 62
(c) Students must be provided with access to reliable 63
resources, including referrals to local health clinics, 64
counselors, or community organizations for further support. 65
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ST: Comprehensive Reproductive Health and
Education Act; create.
SECTION 4. Funding for the program will be allocated through 66
state budget, federal grants, or public-private partnerships. 67
SECTION 5. (1) The State Department of Education will 68
conduct an annual review of the program to assess its 69
effectiveness, including participation rates and feedback from 70
students and parents. 71
(2) A report on the program's outcomes and recommendations 72
for improvement shall be submitted to the State Legislature by 73
August 2029. 74
SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from 75
and after July 1, 2026. 76