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SB 3

Public K-12 schools, sex education (sex ed) curriculum further provided for, sexual risk avoidance established as sex ed curriculum, policies of local boards of education related to sex ed further provided for, parent or guardian notice of sex ed curriculum required, Attorney General authorized to enforce

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Shay Shelnutt

Alabama bill mandates sexual risk avoidance-focused sex ed curriculum and requires parental notification, granting Attorney General enforcement power over school policies.

Read for the first time and referred to the Senate Committee on Education Policy
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Bill Summary · SB 3

Legislative bill overview

SB 3 establishes "sexual risk avoidance" as the primary sex education curriculum framework for Alabama public K-12 schools and requires school boards to provide parents/guardians with advance notice of sex education curriculum content. The bill also grants the Alabama Attorney General enforcement authority over sex education policies.

Why is this important

Sex education curriculum directly affects what information millions of students receive about sexual health, relationships, and decision-making during formative years. This bill fundamentally shifts curriculum philosophy and establishes parental notification requirements that could reshape how schools approach reproductive health education across the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Curriculum philosophy debate: "Sexual risk avoidance" emphasizes abstinence-focused approaches, while critics argue comprehensive sex education (including contraception and disease prevention information) has stronger evidence for reducing teen pregnancy and STI rates
  • Parental notification scope: The bill's specificity about what constitutes required notice and whether opt-in vs. opt-out mechanisms apply remains undefined, potentially creating implementation conflicts
  • Attorney General enforcement: Granting prosecutorial authority over curriculum decisions could create legal/political disputes between state officials and local school boards over educational autonomy and what constitutes non-compliance

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

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