Washington lawmakers have passed a bill to require public school districts to teach comprehensive sexual health education to all K-12 students beginning with the 2022-23 school year.
The state House Thursday voted 56-40 after nearly six hours of contentious debate that started Wednesday evening.
Under current law, public schools may provide sexual health education to their students, but it’s not a requirement. The legislation would be phased in over two years, with the mandate to teach all students in grades six through 12 beginning with the 2021-2022 school year and to all students a year later.
Backers of the bill say it’s designed with equity in mind, to ensure all students get the opportunity to learn. There also is an “opt out” provision enabling parents to pull their children out of the sex ed instruction.
The bill states that the definition of comprehensive sexual health education for K-3 would be social-emotional learning.
Opponents say a curriculum reviewed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction is too explicit. Several of the bill’s opponents say sex education should be restricted to grades seven through 12.
The Senate has already passed the bill, but because of changes the House made to the measure it now goes back to the upper chamber for a final vote. (AP)
