Bill To Require Parental Consent For Student Sex Education Next To Be Heard On House And Senate Floor

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Legislation that new sponsor Representative Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32) says raises expectations for parental engagement passed the House Education Administration Committee during a voice vote yesterday.

House Bill 0727 (HB0727) would make it mandatory for schools to obtain parental consent before students are allowed to participate in sex education classes or surveys.

Parents and legal guardians must be given an opportunity to review all surveys, analyses, or evaluations, prior to being administered to students and written consent obtained before participation. Consent may be withdrawn at any time. 

Similarly with any “family life curriculum” that includes sex education, gender identity, and sexual orientation topics, parents and legal guardians must be informed about what their students will be learning ahead of time and consent must be given. Parents and guardians may opt in for all of the curriculum, or only parts of it.

Fritts, who also sponsored a bill (HB1411) that would require parental consent before students can join clubs at school such as Gay Straight Alliance clubs, become the sponsor of HB0727 on April 4th. HB1411 has been taken off notice.

As we reported previously, an amendment by Representative Kirk Haston (R-Lobelville-District 72) continues to provide for an opt-out system as far as health screenings are concerned. Haston has said that for many students, school health screenings are their only opportunity to have those wellness checks.

HB0727 now heads to the Calendar and Rules House Standing Committee for scheduling on the House Floor.

Companion Senate Bill 1443 is also on today’s Senate Regular Calendar.

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.