Bill to require consent for sex education fails

AUGUSTA – The House defeated a bill Monday evening that would have required school administrators to obtain parental consent before a child could participate in family life or sex education classes.

Sponsored by Rep. Brian Duprey, R-Hampden, the bill specifically would require a school administrator to provide a parent or guardian with information concerning the content of a family life or sex education class in the school and whether homosexuality or abstinence from sexual activity would be discussed. Parents would have been able to allow their children to opt out of the courses under the bill after providing the school administrator with a written statement verifying that the parent had provided the child with age-appropriate sex education.

The bill, LD 1488, was defeated 79-60 and faces additional votes in the House and Senate.