Requires the consent of the person in parental relation to a pupil in grades kindergarten through 8 prior to the provision of sex education to such pupil

BILL NUMBER:S2849

Title of bill

An act to amend the education law, in relation to the provision of human sexual education in elementary schools

Purpose

To require parental or guardian consent for school districts to teach sex education to student enrolled in grades kindergarten through eighth grade.

Summary of provisions

This bill adds a new section 804-e to the education law, instruction in human sexuality; elementary schools.

Justification

New York City's Department of Education's recent decision to mandate sex education in schools should not be forced upon students without consent of their parent(s) or legal guardian. This is a decision that should be left up to the child's parent(s). This bill would require each school, statewide, to give parents/guardians a consent form which outlines the specific subject matter to be taught and a space on the form for such person to consent to have their child receive instruction in human sexuality.

This bill would give parents a choice to opt-in to having sex education taught to their children. The NYC's Department of Education's decision to mandate sex education sets up an inherent potential conflict between what parents wish to teach their children at home versus what the government should teach them, which is a major violation of parental rights. This bill would prohibit government forcing sex education on students without the involvement and knowledge of the student's parent(s) or legal guardian.

Legislative history

2014: S.4137- Referred to Education/A.6202- Referred to Education 2012: S.6033- Referred to Education/A.10439-Referred to Education

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately and shall apply to instruction provided on or after such date.