Healthy Youth Act
Comprehensive Sexual Health Education

The Healthy Youth Act provides a framework for those districts that choose to provide sexual health education.

Washington State Law
In 2007 the Washington State Legislature passed the Healthy Youth Act, (RCW 28A.300.475). The act provides a framework for those schools that choose to offer sexual health education. The Healthy Youth Act is associated with WAC 392-410-140.

As of September 2008, all sexual health education offered in Washington public schools must meet the following criteria:

• All instruction and materials used must be:
  • medically and scientifically accurate
  • age appropriate
  • appropriate for students regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, and disability status
  • consistent with the 2005 Guidelines for Sexual Health and Disease Prevention (PDF)
• Abstinence may not be taught to the exclusion of instruction and materials on FDA approved contraceptives and other disease prevention methods. In other words, the instruction must be comprehensive.

More information is available on our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Tools for Educators

• Comparison of the Healthy Youth Act and the AIDS Omnibus Act (PDF) - The Healthy Youth Act pertains only to sexual health education. Under the AIDS Omnibus Act, districts are still required to provide yearly HIV/AIDS prevention education beginning in Grade 5.
• Guidelines for Sexual Health and Disease Prevention (PDF) – This 2005 guide provides a K-12 framework for comprehensive sexual health education in Washington schools. By law, all sexual health education that occurs in Washington public schools must be comprehensive.
• Sexual Health Education Curriculum Review Reports - The findings of these reviews are a suggested starting point for districts that are looking to implement or modify their sexual health education offerings.
• Curriculum Assessment Tool (PDF) - Districts that choose to use a curriculum that has not been reviewed by OSPI and the Department of Health must still assure medical and scientific accuracy, as well as alignment with the guidelines. OSPI offers the Curriculum Assessment Tool for use in assessing sexual health education content over the K-12 life of a child.
• WSSDA Model Policy (Word) and Procedure (PDF) for Sexual Health Education.
• Districts may utilize the Curricula Assessment Tool (listed above) to check for alignment with the Healthy Youth Act.
• The Washington State Department of Health and OSPI are in the process of reviewing and updating the curricula review process. Please check for updates.

If you have questions regarding the review process, please contact:
Suzanne Hidde
Program Supervisor
HIV and Sexual Health Education
OSPI
(360) 725-6364