Washington public schools would be required to teach comprehensive sexual health education courses that emphasize relations free from violence and coercion as well as the importance of consent, under a proposal being considered by a Senate committee.
Students deserve more than just information about sex, said the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Claire Wilson, D-Federal Way. They need to understand the ramifications of the choices they make.
Parents would have to be informed of the curriculum, which under state law must be age-appropriate, medically and scientifically accurate, and include information about abstinence and other methods to prevent unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Parents could also choose to have their students opt out of the instruction.
