House endorses required sex education permission

HELENA — The House is advancing a plan to require parents to approve their child's sex education in public schools.

House Bill 456 requires schools to notify parents 48 hours in advance of sex education and receive the parent's written consent before their child attends. The bill prohibits schools from using instruction materials from organizations that provide abortion services. The bill passed Monday with a 71-29 vote.

Legislators supporting the bill say some sex education material taught in schools was Those in opposition say the state shouldn't make it more difficult for students to learn information that's important to their health.

Rep. Wendy Warbuyrton, R-Havre, and Rep. Kris Hansen, R-Havre, voted yes. Rep. Tony Belcourt, D-Box Elder, voted no.

Last year a proposed sex education plan in Helena drew outcry over its early introduction to some sex topics.