Utah House OKs Bill That Puts Limits on Sex Education, Focus on Abstinence
The Utah House on Friday approved legislation that would limit sex education to the teaching of abstinence before marriage and fidelity afterward.
The measure, approved 40 to 27, bans any discussion of birth control in public schools. The House also passed an amendment that would require students to be taught that “any sexual relations outside of marriage constitutes criminal conduct.”
The bill now goes to the Senate.
House Democrats argued that Republicans were taking away the rights of parents who want their children to learn about avoiding pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
“Ignorance is never the best policy,” said Democratic Rep. Mary Carlson. “Ignorance only fosters more ignorance.”
GOP Rep. Bill Wright said teaching about sex was accommodating bad behavior. “We don’t teach people how to be thieves,” he said.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
