Colorado § 25-44-101 - Definitions.

§ 25-44-101. Definitions.

As used in this article 44, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "Age-appropriate" means topics, messages, and teaching methods suitable to a particular age or age group, based on developing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral capacity typical for the age or age group.

(2) Repealed.

(3) "Comprehensive human sexuality education" means medically accurate information about all methods to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, the link between human papillomavirus and cancer, and other types of cancer involving the human reproductive systems, including prostate, testicular, ovarian, and uterine cancer. Methods must include information about the correct and consistent use of abstinence, contraception, condoms, other barrier methods, and other prevention measures. Additional contents of comprehensive human sexuality education must include:

(a) Encouraging family communication about sexuality;

(b) Teaching young people to avoid making unwanted verbal, physical, and sexual advances;

(c) Discussions and information on how to recognize and respond safely and effectively in situations where sexual or physical violence may be occurring or where there may be a risk for these behaviors to occur;

(d) Focusing on the development of safe relationships, including the prevention of sexual violence in dating; and

(e) Teaching young people how alcohol and drug use can affect responsible decision-making.

(4) "Culturally sensitive" means the integration of knowledge about individuals and groups of people into specific standards, requirements, policies, practices, and attitudes used to increase the quality of services. "Culturally sensitive" includes resources, references, and information that are meaningful to the experiences and needs of communities of color; immigrant communities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities; people with physical or intellectual disabilities; people who have experienced sexual victimization; and others whose experiences have traditionally been left out of sexual health education, programs, and policies.

(5) "Department" means the department of public health and environment, created and existing pursuant to section 25-1-101.5.

(6) "Evidence-based program" means a program that:

(a) Was evaluated using a rigorous research design, including:

(I) Measuring knowledge, attitude, and behavior;

(II) Having an adequate sample size;

(III) Using sound research methods and processes;

(IV) Replicating in different locations and finding similar evaluation results; and

(V) Publishing results in a peer-reviewed journal;

(b) Research has shown to be effective in changing at least one of the following behaviors that contribute to early pregnancy, sexually transmitted infections and disease, and HIV infection:

(I) Delaying sexual initiation;

(II) Reducing the frequency of sexual intercourse;

(III) Reducing the number of sexual partners; or

(IV) Increasing the use of condoms and other contraceptives.

(6.5) "Medically accurate" has the same meaning as defined in section 22-1-128.

(7) "Oversight entity" means the interagency youth sexual health team created in section 25-44-103.

(8) "Positive youth development" means an approach that emphasizes the many positive attributes of young people and focuses on developing inherent strengths and assets to promote health. Positive youth development is culturally sensitive, age-appropriate, inclusive of all youth, collaborative, and strength-based.

(9) "Program" means the comprehensive human sexuality education grant program created in section 25-44-102.

(10) "Public school" means a school of a school district, a district charter school, an institute charter school, a facility school, or a board of cooperative services, as defined in section 22-5-103.

(11) "State board" means the state board of health created pursuant to section 25-1-103.

Source: L. 2013: Entire article added, (HB 13-1081), ch. 303, p. 1606, § 3, effective May 28. L. 2016: IP(3) amended, (SB 16-146), ch. 230, p. 922, § 24, effective July 1. L. 2019: (2) repealed and (6.5) added, (HB 19-1032), ch. 408, p. 3599, § 3, effective May 31.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in HB 19-1032, see section 1 of chapter 408, Session Laws of Colorado 2019.