To: The Utah State House, The Utah State Senate, and Governor Gary R. Herbert
VETO Utah Legislature HB363 and keep current enrollment classes in schools!
Utah Legislature HB363 mandates the teaching of "abstinence only education". The Bill prohibits the discussion of “the intricacies of intercourse, sexual stimulation, or erotic behavior; homosexuality;
the use of contraceptive methods or devices; or sexual activity
outside of marriage.” HB 363 would also allow any Utah schools to opt
out of sex education and would prohibit teachers from discussing
pre-marital sex with their students. As of today, March 8, 2012,
HB363 cleared the Senate with a vote of 19-10, and is now on its way
to Gov. Gary Herbert to be signed into law.
After the new bill goes into effect, the instruction of sex education
in Utah classrooms will be restricted to abstaining from sex before
marriage and fidelity within marriage. Teachers cannot advocate the
use of contraceptives and they cannot discuss homosexuality, even if a
student inquires. So called "Abstinence only" education has been shown
to be largely ineffective, if not detrimental to the health and well
being of adolescents. States which enforce such policies experience
higher rates of teen pregnancy and STD infection. (Source:
http://www.siecus.org/_data/global/images/research_says.pdf)
"Abstinence only" education is a failed experiment with no need of
being repeated.
the use of contraceptive methods or devices; or sexual activity
outside of marriage.” HB 363 would also allow any Utah schools to opt
out of sex education and would prohibit teachers from discussing
pre-marital sex with their students. As of today, March 8, 2012,
HB363 cleared the Senate with a vote of 19-10, and is now on its way
to Gov. Gary Herbert to be signed into law.
After the new bill goes into effect, the instruction of sex education
in Utah classrooms will be restricted to abstaining from sex before
marriage and fidelity within marriage. Teachers cannot advocate the
use of contraceptives and they cannot discuss homosexuality, even if a
student inquires. So called "Abstinence only" education has been shown
to be largely ineffective, if not detrimental to the health and well
being of adolescents. States which enforce such policies experience
higher rates of teen pregnancy and STD infection. (Source:
http://www.siecus.org/_data/global/images/research_says.pdf)
"Abstinence only" education is a failed experiment with no need of
being repeated.
Why is this important?
Thousands of Utah high school students may have to re-think their plans to take a concurrent enrollment course next year, if a controversial sex-ed bill, HB363, is signed into law by Gov. Gary Herbert, education officials say. Some concurrent enrollment courses, that give students both college and high school credit, deal with topics such as contraception that would be prohibited from discussion in public schools under the legislation that lawmakers passed.
Around 1,100 high school students are now enrolled in concurrent courses at Weber State University, such as family relations and human development that may not be offered next year.
The HB363 has not been on higher education officials' radar, since it was seen as a bill that would only affect public education. Concurrent enrollment classes are college-credit courses that can be taken in high school. If this becomes a law, the bill could prevent high schools from offering some college level courses that deal with human reproduction and sexuality.
I hope that this won’t happen because students have actively participated in courses and any concurrent enrollment class that students have an opportunity to take is a good thing. This is really important for these students.
Not only will HB363 strip parents of the right to choose for themselves how they want their kids taught sex ed, but now we're seeing that high school students are going to be denied the opportunity to take college courses. I think that this bill is tragic and shortsighted.
Help us oppose HB363.
Around 1,100 high school students are now enrolled in concurrent courses at Weber State University, such as family relations and human development that may not be offered next year.
The HB363 has not been on higher education officials' radar, since it was seen as a bill that would only affect public education. Concurrent enrollment classes are college-credit courses that can be taken in high school. If this becomes a law, the bill could prevent high schools from offering some college level courses that deal with human reproduction and sexuality.
I hope that this won’t happen because students have actively participated in courses and any concurrent enrollment class that students have an opportunity to take is a good thing. This is really important for these students.
Not only will HB363 strip parents of the right to choose for themselves how they want their kids taught sex ed, but now we're seeing that high school students are going to be denied the opportunity to take college courses. I think that this bill is tragic and shortsighted.
Help us oppose HB363.