State Profiles

SIECUS Overview

Detailed Insights on U.S. Sex Education Policies

Access the SIECUS State Profiles for real-time updates on U.S. state sex education policies. Our color-coded, state-by-state analysis evaluates current laws and legislative activities, offering detailed insights into regional sex education standards. This evolving resource includes data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s School Health Profiles, highlighting the sexual health topics taught in classrooms.

In 2023, the SIECUS Policy team developed the US Sex Ed Report Card to grade state sex education policies, providing a clearer understanding of sex education laws across the country and highlighting key gaps and discrepancies. Our goal is to empower advocates by offering an accessible and illuminating resource that underscores the urgent need for equitable access to sexual health information for all young people.

Designed for advocates, educators, policymakers, health care providers, parents, and youth, these profiles and the new report card are essential tools for advancing informed, equitable, and comprehensive sex education nationwide. Stay informed and support the movement for effective sex education in every community.

For a detailed look at sex ed policies that impact you based on where you live, click on your state in the map above.

State Profile Highlights

30 states and the District of Columbia require sex education, either explicitly by law or by proxy via enforced state standards.
39 states and the District of Columbia specifically require instruction on HIV/AIDS in schools.
35 states require schools to emphasize the importance of abstinence when sex education or HIV/STI instruction is provided.
17 states provide abstinence-only sex education
21 states require instruction on condoms or contraception when sex education or HIV/STI instruction is provided.
12 states do not require sex education or HIV/STI instruction to be any of the following, by law: age-appropriate, medically accurate, culturally responsive, or evidence-based/evidence-informed.
12 states require sex education or HIV/STI instruction to include information on consent.
10 states have policies that include affirming sexual orientation instruction on LGBTQ identities or discussion of sexual health for LGBTQ youth.
4 states explicitly require instruction that discriminates against LGBTQ people
5 states have laws requiring comprehensive sex education (CSE). Of these:
- 3 states (CA, OR, WA) require comprehensive sex education to be taught in all schools
- 2 states (CO and IL) require sex education curriculum to be comprehensive, IF it is taught in school

*Provided highlights are not a comprehensive view of how sex education is implemented in each state; rather, it only represents the policies and laws in place that influence the kind of sex education that might exist in your local jurisdiction. . As a result, these highlights do not reflect the realities of how sex education looks like in classrooms across the United States due to the intricacies of local control at the school district and individual school level.

Policy Inquiries Contact:
Alison Macklin (she/her)
SIECUS Director of Policy and Advocacy, amacklin@siecus.org

Press and Media Inquires Contact:
Michelle Slaybaugh (she/they)
SIECUS Director of Social Impact and Strategic Communications