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HomeEducation CodeDiv. 4Pt. 28Ch. 5.6Art. 4§ 51939 Parental Opt-Out For Sex Ed

§ 51939 Parental Opt-Out For Sex Ed

Education Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 51939 Parental Opt-Out For Sex Ed

Key Takeaways

  • •Parents can say no to their kid joining sex ed or HIV classes, or health surveys, by writing to the school.
  • •Kids won’t get in trouble or get bad grades if their parents say no to these classes or surveys.
  • •If a kid skips these classes, the school must give them something else to do instead.

Example

A parent writes a note to the school saying their child can’t take the sex ed class.

The school must let the child skip the class and can’t punish them. The school also has to give the child another lesson or activity to do during that time.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 51939 Parental Opt-Out For Sex Ed

(a) A pupil may not attend any class in comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education, or participate in any anonymous, voluntary, and confidential test, questionnaire, or survey on pupil health behaviors and risks, if the school has received a written request from the pupil’s parent or guardian excusing the pupil from participation. (b) A pupil may not be subject to disciplinary action, academic penalty, or other sanction if the pupil’s parent or guardian declines to permit the pupil to receive comprehensive sexual health education or HIV prevention education or to participate in anonymous, voluntary, and confidential tests, questionnaires, or surveys on pupil health behaviors and risks. (c) While comprehensive sexual health education, HIV prevention education, or anonymous, voluntary, and confidential test, questionnaire, or survey on pupil health behaviors and risks is being administered, an alternative educational activity shall be made available to pupils whose parents or guardians have requested that they not receive the instruction or participate in the test, questionnaire, or survey. (Amended by Stats. 2015, Ch. 398, Sec. 15. (AB 329) Effective January 1, 2016.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

educationpreventionschoolhealthpenaltyacademicactivityparticipation

Related Statutes

  • § 51938 Parental Opt-Out For Sex Ed
  • § 51935 Hiv Prevention Training Requirements
  • § 51936 Sexual Health Education Consultants
  • § 51932 Sex Education Exemptions
  • § 51933 Sexual Health Education Standards

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Education Code. Section 51939.
View Official Source