Minn. House Approves Comprehensive Sex Education Requirement

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology;  Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 01 May 2008 - 6:00 PDT

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The Minnesota House on Monday voted 85-45 to pass a broad education bill (SF 3001) that includes a provision requiring school districts to adopt comprehensive sex education curricula by the 2011-2012 school year, the AP/West Central Tribune reports. The sex education provision, which was added to the bill on the House floor, passed by a 79-53 vote.

Under the measure, middle and high schools would have to develop sex education curricula that provide "age-appropriate" lessons that emphasize abstinence, but also include information on sexually transmitted infections, unplanned pregnancies and FDA-approved contraceptives. The legislation would allow parents to remove their children from the classes.

Rep. Neva Walker (D) said the state needs baseline curricula for sex education. "Unfortunately, not all of our students are comfortable talking with their parents or their guardians, and not all our parents and guardians are comfortable talking to their students," Walker said. Rep. Steve Gottwalt (R) said, "We are going far beyond giving our children basic information in school. We are giving them information about things parent should have the responsibility, the right, to convey to their kids."

Both the House and Senate have to agree on a common education bill before it is sent to Gov. Tim Pawlenty (R) (Bakst, AP/West Central Tribune, 4/29).

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