Outline of the state of Hawaii
State
Hawaii
Requires medically-accurate comprehensive sex education

Category
Sexual Health Education General—ES

Category
Sexual Health Education General—ES

State law requires teaching comprehensive sex education, medically-accurate sex education, or otherwise addresses all elements of comprehensive sex education as defined by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States.

Hawaii Revised Statutes 321-11.1 Medically accurate sexuality health education.

(a) Sexuality health education programs funded by the State shall provide medically accurate and factual information that is age appropriate and includes education on abstinence, contraception, and methods of disease prevention to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, including human immunodeficiency virus. (b) For the purposes of this section:

  • “Age appropriate” means suitable to a particular age or age group based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for that age or age group.
  • “Factual information” means medical, psychiatric, psychological, empirical, or statistical information that is verified or supported by research conducted by recognized medical, psychiatric, psychological, and public health professionals or organizations.
  • “Medically accurate” means verified or supported by research conducted in compliance with accepted scientific methods and recognized as accurate and objective by professional organizations and agencies with expertise in the relevant field, such as the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Public Health Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
  • “Sexuality health education” means education in any medium regarding human development and sexuality, including education on pregnancy, family planning, and sexually transmitted diseases.
Policy Type
Statute