Assigned to FS & EDUC FOR COMMITTEE

ARIZONA STATE SENATE

Phoenix, Arizona

FACT SHEET FOR H.B. 2623

marriage and parenting skills; curriculum

Purpose

Establishes an interim committee to study the feasibility of educating high school seniors in responsible parenting and marriage skills.

Background

The proposed legislation is intended to reduce the high rate at which couples are divorcing and the negative consequences that flow to divorced couples and their children.

According to the presiding superior court judge of the domestic relations division in Maricopa County, in 1997 there were 22,000 marriages performed and 17,000 divorces entered in Maricopa County. The national divorce rate is 49 percent.

No marriage and parenting curriculum is currently mandated by the State Board of Education. According to one school district administrator, many high schools offer courses that touch upon these subjects to one degree or another on an elective basis through their Family and Consumer Sciences departments.

Provisions

1. Establishes an interim committee on marriage and parenting skills development curriculum, and provides for membership of the committee.

2. Requires that the committee study the feasibility of implementing a statewide curriculum for high school seniors on the topic of marriage and parenting skills.

3. Requires the committee to submit its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature by November 15, 1999.

4. Specifies that committee members are not eligible for compensation but certain lay members may receive reimbursement for expenses.

5. Provides a general effective date and a delayed repeal of November 30, 1999.

FACT SHEET H.B. 2623 Page

House Action

HS 2/11/99 DP 5-0-0-1-0

3rd Read 33-26-1-0

Prepared by Senate Staff

March 15, 1999

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