The State of Sex Ed: SIECUS 2026 Mid-Year Legislative Analysis summarizes state legislative activity and examines trends from the beginning of 2026 up until the midpoint of the year.

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Introduction

This year’s State of Sex Ed: SIECUS 2026 Mid-Year Legislative Analysis covers state legislative developments related to sex education as of June 2026. It examines key legislative trends that could advance or restrict school-based sex education, both directly and indirectly, and includes an example of proposed or enacted legislation for each trend.

Examining 2026 Legislative Trends in Sex Education Policy

In 2026, 46 state legislatures convened to deliberate on legislation that could reshape sex education for young people across the country. SIECUS has tracked 498 bills to date. At the halfway point of the year, 174 bills addressing sex education have been introduced, an almost 7% increase in sex education legislation compared to the midpoint of last year. Over half of all proposed sex education legislation (94 bills) sought to restrict young people’s access to honest and inclusive sexual health information.

State Legislation on Our Radar

As of July 2026, 12 state legislatures were still in session. Some of these, such as California, Illinois, and Massachusetts, are full-time legislatures and can meet year-round. SIECUS is still tracking 226 active bills, of which 68 could impact sex education policy.

Conclusion

The landscape of sex education policy remains dynamic, marked by victories, such as Hawaii’s push for a more comprehensive sex education curriculum inclusive of menstrual health, alongside critical losses, including the enactment of a “Baby Olivia” bill in South Dakota and the “sexual risk avoidance” mandate in Alabama. Yet there is also profound hope for the remainder of the sessions, given that the vast majority of regressive bills introduced, especially so-called “parental rights” bills, have failed to pass. At the same time, supportive measures requiring instruction in sexual assault prevention and social-emotional learning as a part of sex education continue to gain momentum across the country.