California Healthy Youth Act (AB 329) in BOUSD
California Healthy Youth Act (AB 329) in BOUSD
The California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA), also known as Assembly Bill 329, is a state law that took effect on January 1, 2016. It requires that comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education be provided to students at least once in middle school and once in high school, starting in grade 7. Elementary school students in BOUSD do not receive this instruction.
The purpose of CHYA is to:
- Equip students with knowledge and skills to protect their sexual and reproductive health from HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unintended pregnancy.
- Support healthy attitudes around adolescent development, body image, gender, sexual orientation, relationships, marriage, and family.
- Promote understanding of human sexuality as a regular part of development.
- Ensure instruction is integrated, comprehensive, medically accurate, age-appropriate, and inclusive.
- Provide students with the skills to engage in healthy, positive, safe relationships and behaviors.
Instruction in BOUSD
In the Brea Olinda Unified School District (BOUSD), trained instructors deliver comprehensive sexual health and HIV prevention instruction through:
- 7th Grade Science
- 9th Grade Health
Topics covered include:
- Personal safety, puberty, and human development
- Abstinence as the only certain way to prevent pregnancy and STIs, along with information about the value of delaying sexual activity
- HIV and other STIs: transmission, prevention (including FDA-approved methods), and treatment
- Pregnancy prevention, outcomes, prenatal care, and the Newborn Safe Surrender law
- Access to sexual and reproductive health care resources
- Understanding sexual orientation and gender identity, including the harm of negative stereotypes
- Building healthy relationships and recognizing unhealthy behaviors such as sexual harassment, assault, adolescent relationship abuse, intimate partner violence, and sex trafficking
- Social views of HIV and AIDS, addressing myths and unfounded stereotypes
Instruction encourages communication between students and their parents, guardians, or other trusted adults about these important topics.
Parent Notification and Review
BOUSD is committed to transparency and parent partnership. Parents/guardians will receive prior notification before this instruction is delivered. Under state law and district policy, you can opt your student out of all or part of the comprehensive sexual health or HIV prevention education. Please submit a written request to your student’s teacher to do so.
Instructional materials are available for review. To view the materials or for more information, please contact the school site administrator or the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services at 714-990-7533.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the California Healthy Youth Act (CHYA)?
CHYA is a California Department of Education mandate that ensures students receive comprehensive, accurate, inclusive, and age-appropriate sexual health and HIV prevention education from trained instructors at least once in middle and high school.
Why was CHYA created?
The law was enacted to:
- Protect students’ sexual and reproductive health.
- Promote healthy attitudes and relationships.
- Normalize conversations about human sexuality.
- Provide educators with straightforward, practical tools and resources.
- Equip students to make informed, safe, and respectful decisions.