A controversial Bill (SB 5395) - Establishes K-12 Sexual Health Education Programs in Public Schools was just passed in the Washington State Senate, causing outrage in many parents in the state. I have read a lot of misinformation on this subject and want to lay out the facts...This is not in any way my personal opinion just want to clarify the facts... 

  • Require age-appropriate, medically accurate Sex Health Education to be taught once from kindergarten to 3rd grade, once from 4th to 5th, twice in 6th to 8th, and twice in 9th to 12th.
  • Teach the concept of affirmative consent to older students so they can better recognize inappropriate behavior and their right to reject it.
  • Define Sex Health Education and specify that curricula for kindergarten to 3rd grade must meet social and emotional learning standards.
  • Uphold the right of parents to review the curriculum and opt their children out of any portion of the instruction.
  • Require schools to notify parents when Sex Health Education will be taught.
  •  SB 5395 does not mandate any statewide curriculum. Instead, she says the bill gives local school districts the flexibility to determine what will best meet the needs of their students and families.

The goal of this legislation is to give Washington students the tools they need to engage in safe, consensual relationships as adults, in addition to teaching them skills to identify and prevent sexual abuse.

NOTE: The bill passed 28-21 in the Senate and 56-40 in the House. Having been amended in the House, it must now be sent back to the Senate to reconcile the differences in the versions that passed each chamber.

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