Photo: GettyImages
BOSTON (State House News Service) — As expected, the Senate on Thursday approved legislation aimed at ensuring that the sex education taught in schools is medically accurate, age-appropriate, and comprehensive.
Senate Democrats have for years pushed for a new law governing sex ed, but House Democrats have been unwilling to join them.
The bill cleared the Senate this time on an unrecorded voice vote following some debate.
The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education in September adopted revisions to local sex education rules that are in line with the changes sought under the Senate bill.
Sen. Sal DiDomenico called updated health education framework adopted by the board, with the backing of Gov. Maura Healey, "great, but they are guidelines and suggestions only."
"The Healthy Youth Act turns them into a minimum standard," the Everett Democrat said. "It gives teeth to frameworks, and ensures kids aren't receiving inaccurate and harmful information. This prevents bad stuff from being taught in our schools."
Earlier this week, Speaker Ronald Mariano threw cold water on the bill's prospects for this term, saying the issue was not yet ripe for legislative action.
"Given that it has been less than a year since BESE adopted the new guidelines, it is important that we give school districts adequate time to implement them, rather than rush to potentially amend or codify them into law," the speaker said in a statement on Monday.
The advocacy group Jane Doe Inc. celebrated the bill's Senate passage on Thursday, and said it is "now incumbent on the House of Representatives to step up and pass this vitally important legislation without delay."
"Across the Commonwealth, far too many school committees are considering regressive measures that would deny young people access to necessary, health-giving, life-saving information about healthy relationships and sexuality. These discussions send a message to young people – especially to vulnerable young people at the margins – that their existence is not welcome in their communities," the group wrote.
The Senate rejected all eight of Minority Leader Bruce Tarr's amendments without debate during Thursday's session.
One of the Gloucester Republican's proposed changes (Amendment 9) would have made sexual education instruction contingent on a parent or guardian "affirmatively" opting a student into the course. The underlying bill instead gives parents and guardians the right to withdraw a student from all or part of the instruction.
Written by Michael P.Norton/SNHS
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App