Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Legislation that would make it mandatory for schools to obtain parental consent before students are allowed to participate in sex education classes will move on to the full House Education Administration Committee after passing the K-12 Subcommittee on Wednesday.
The subcommittee started by addressing two amendments that were added to House Bill 0727 (HB0727). While Amendment 3 was a rewrite to the bill, Amendment 2 gives an explanation for a portion of the bill. The amendment would allow schools to continue to use an opt-out form for health screenings to check things such as vision, hearing, and blood pressure.
Representative Kirk Haston (R-Lobelville-District 72) explained the reason for the amendment, noting that for many students, school health screenings are their only opportunity to have those wellness checks.
The new legislation would require that an opt-in form be used for all other types of “family life curriculum,” including those including sex education, gender identity, and sexual orientation.
After the amendments were adopted, Representative Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2), the bill’s sponsor, briefly explained what the bill would do.
With no questions from the subcommittee, a voice vote was taken. Ayes prevailed with only Representative Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville-District 15) asking to be recorded as voting No.
The bill will move on to the fill House Education Administration Committee and has been placed on their April 5th calendar.
If you would like to show your support for House Bill 0727, contact members of the House Education Administration Committee prior to their April 5th meeting using the contact information below:
Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis) – rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4415
Rep. William Slater (R-Gallatin) – rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2534
Rep. Charlie Baum (R-Murfreesboro) – rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6849
Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6808
Rep. Ed Butler (R-Rickman) – rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-1260
Rep. Monty Fritts (R-Kingston) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-7658
Rep. Ron Gant (R-Piperton) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-6890
Rep. John Gillespie (R-Memphis) – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-8201
Rep. Kirk Haston (R-Lobelville) – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-0750
Rep. Chris Hurt (R-Halls) – rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2134
Rep. Justin Jones (D-Nashville) – rep.justin.jones@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-2184
Rep. Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville) – rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4110
Rep. Harold Love, Jr. (D-Nashville) – rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-3831
Rep. Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville) – rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-0768
Rep. Antonio Parkinson (D-Memphis) – rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4575
Rep. John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge) – rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4400
Rep. Robert Stevens (R-Smyrna) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-3830
Rep. Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill) – rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov – 615-741-4170
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
