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S 340

An Act relative to healthy youth

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Barrett and 14 co-sponsors

Bill S 340 improves sexual health education in Massachusetts by requiring schools to report on curricula, enhance parental rights, and ensure age-appropriate, accurate content.

Bill reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
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Bill Summary · S 340

Summary of Bill S 340: An Act Relative to Healthy Youth

Bill Number: S 340
Introduced: February 27, 2025
Status: Reported favorably by committee and referred to the committee on Senate Ways and Means
Presented by: Sal N. DiDomenico and co-sponsors

Purpose and Intent

Bill S 340 aims to enhance sexual health education in Massachusetts schools by establishing comprehensive reporting and policy requirements for sexual health curricula. The intent is to ensure that students receive medically accurate and age-appropriate sexual health education while providing parents and guardians with clear information and options regarding their children's participation.

Key Provisions

Biennial Reporting Requirements

  • New Section in Chapter 69: Schools (including cities, towns, regional school districts, vocational schools, and charter schools) must file a biennial report on their sexual health education programs.
    • Reports must include:
    • Curriculum name and description
    • Hours dedicated to sexual health education
    • Enrollment figures
    • Withdrawal statistics under existing laws
  • Public Access: The collected data will be made publicly available on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website and shared with the Department of Public Health.

Parental Notification and Rights

  • Policy Adoption: Schools must adopt a written policy to notify parents and guardians about:
    • The sexual health education curriculum offered
    • The right to withdraw students from instruction
    • The process for withdrawal notification
  • Language Accessibility: Notifications should be provided in English and other commonly spoken languages in the community.
  • Annual Distribution: Policies must be distributed at the start of each school year to parents and guardians of students in grades that include sexual health education.

Curriculum Standards

  • Updated Section in Chapter 71: The bill amends existing laws to ensure that sexual health education is:
    • Medically Accurate: Supported by peer-reviewed research and recognized by leading health organizations.
    • Age-Appropriate: Tailored to the developmental stages of students.
    • Comprehensive: Covering topics such as:
    • Human development and anatomy
    • Prevention of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies
    • Healthy relationships and consent
    • Skills to prevent dating violence and make informed decisions

Impact

Who Will Be Affected?

  • Students: All students in Massachusetts will receive improved sexual health education that is inclusive and respectful of diverse backgrounds.
  • Parents and Guardians: They will have enhanced rights to be informed and involved in their children's sexual health education.
  • Schools: Educational institutions will need to comply with new reporting and policy requirements, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Procedural Aspects

  • Timeline: The bill was introduced on February 27, 2025, and has been reported favorably by the committee. A hearing is scheduled for September 16, 2025.
  • Related Legislation: This bill replaces SD 1777, which was filed in the previous legislative session.

In summary, Bill S 340 seeks to improve sexual health education in Massachusetts by mandating comprehensive reporting, enhancing parental rights, and ensuring that curricula are medically accurate and age-appropriate.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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