Michigan Dems propose reforms to sex ed curriculum

Michigan House Democrats have unveiled a proposal to bring the state’s sex ed curriculum out of the 20th century.

LANSING—There is a major overarching theme across sexual education curricula in Michigan’s public schools—and that’s promoting abstinence, or urging kids to refrain from sex altogether. 

It’s a clear guideline that has been spelled out in state law for decades, which describes abstinence as the single most effective way to prevent sexually transmitted infections, as well as declares a sex-free lifestyle as “a positive lifestyle for unmarried young people.” It’s part of the reason that Michigan schools are currently barred from distributing condoms to their students.

But under a bill introduced this week by Democratic state lawmakers, Michigan’s sex ed classes could soon be required to revise their definition of abstinence and cover a whole lot more—like consent, contraception, and all legally available pregnancy options, including abortion. 

The bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids), told reporters this week that she believes that “Michigan’s youth deserve sex education that accurately puts them in context of the world in which they operate.” 

“This approach is proven to ensure that young people learn about bodily autonomy, about boundaries and healthy relationships, that young people are able to foster a culture of self awareness and respect in their communities for themselves and for future generations,” she added.

House Bill 6068 calls for a rewrite of state laws surrounding sex ed curricula at all public schools—namely to update the state-level guidance so that it is “medically accurate, research-informed, inclusive, and age and developmentally appropriate.”

Some districts adopt early stages of sex education—including lessons about how (and when) to say no to an adult—in elementary school. Curricula varies by district, but lessons about contraceptives don’t typically get taught to students before the high school level. 

The bill would eliminate language about abstinence being part of a “positive lifestyle” for young people, while maintaining guidance about its efficacy in preventing unplanned pregnancies. 

The legislation would additionally lift the statewide ban on distributing a “family planning drug or device”—like condoms—on school property. It also specifically calls for “age appropriate” sex ed instruction, which would include details on the state’s laws surrounding the age of consent.

It would also recognize diverse sexual orientations and gender identities—offering a curriculum that speaks broadly to all students, regardless of their background or identity.

Notably, the bill would still allow for schools, parents, and children to formally opt out of sex ed in the classroom, giving families the choice of whether or not to enroll their kids in the curriculum.

In Michigan, schools are not legally required to teach sex ed. But state law spells out guidance for how schools should go about teaching those lessons, should they choose to offer them.

In 2015, about 35% of female high school students and 37% of male high school students in Michigan reported ever having had sexual intercourse, compared to about 39% of female high school students and 43% of male high school students nationwide. Nearly half reported not using a condom during their last sexual intercourse and about 25% used no contraception at all.

State data shows that sexually transmitted infections are currently among the most common infections in Michigan—with at least 52,000 people diagnosed with one or more STIs in 2023. 

The last update to the state’s sex ed curriculum was in 2004—which was the same year the first legal same-sex marriage took place in Massachusetts and 11 years before the US Supreme Court ruled it was legal nationwide, according to recent reports from Michigan Advance. 

Supporters say a more comprehensive sex ed curriculum is necessary to curb rates of unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections in Michigan. 

“The facts are the facts and our children need to be prepared with them,” Hood told reporters.

Still, Republicans have voiced opposition to the legislation—arguing that it teaches “inappropriate” subjects to kids.

Democratic lawmakers may have to move quickly if they want to get the legislation signed into law before they lose their “trifecta” majority control of the state Legislature in January.

Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit) has not commented on the proposed legislation. But Speaker Pro Tempore Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) wants it to pass, telling Bridge Michigan this week “it is absolutely a priority of mine” to get it passed in the lame-duck session. 

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