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PCE UPDATE
06.18.2009
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Planned Parenthood Proposes Changes to Sex Education Curriculum in Public Schools
Planned Parenthood is the organization behind proposed changes to the sex education curriculum in Utah's public schools. Yesterday, June 17, the Health and Human Services Interim Committee heard testimony on this topic. Bill sponsor, Representative Lynn Hemingway, and Melissa Bird of Planned Parenthood spoke in favor of amending state statute to expand upon what the law currently allows to be taught. They are proposing the addition of "comprehensive" information to Utah's current sex education curriculum.
A bill has not yet been drafted; however, proponents plan to pattern and model the Utah bill after a recently revised North Carolina statute go HERE to read. We recommend that you thoroughly review this brief statute to learn more about what is being proposed for the children of our state.
On June 10, 2009, Representative Hemingway was interviewed by KCPW news radio. In the interview titled, Legislature Will Take Up Contraception Bill Again, he stated, "What I really want to try to do is steer this away from being a moral issue. This isn't a moral issue. This is a health issue". We believe many parents and citizens may have a different opinion than Hemingway and may also have concerns about government interfering in what should be parental roles and responsibilities. We believe that this issue is too important to let the voices of a few shape how and what the children of Utah are taught in public school in regards to this sensitive subject matter.
If this issue is important to you, please contact your elected Senator and Representative along with all members of the Health and Human Services Committee. Share your views and tell them how you feel about any proposed changes. You, as Utah parents and families, should be the ones dictating whether or not changes should be made to the sex education curriculum being taught to your children in public schools.
ACTION ALERT!!
If you are concerned about the proposed changes to Utah's sex ed curriculum:
- Contact the members of the Health and Human Services Interim Committee to voice your opinion on the matter (contact information for Interim committee members is listed below).
- Contact your State Representative and Senator
GO HERE to find out who your legislators are, their contact info, and tips on communicating with them.
BACKGROUND
During the 2009 session, Representative Lynn Hemingway introduced House Bill 189. According to the May 21, 2009, Deseret New's article, "Lawmaker debates sex-ed with teens":
"The bill proposed to amend Utah law to emphasize educators be allowed to instruct students on birth control options "without fear of reprimand."
The bill failed in committee. It has now been assigned to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee for further discussion and recommendation before the 2010 General Session.
The changes proposed by Representative Hemingway will affect ALL secondary health education classes in Utah public schools.
LINKS
- UtahEducationFacts>> NEWS YOU NEED NOW - Check out additional details and news articles related to this issue.
- Committee webpage>> Use this link to find complete meeting schedules, agendas, minutes, audio feeds, materials presented in committee meetings, and to sign up for email notifications of upcoming meetings and minutes.
- Text of House Bill 189>> Read the changes proposed by Representative Hemingway to the state's sex education curriculum guidelines.
- Text of North Carolina's Statute>>
RELATED NEWS
CONTACT MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Remember, when contacting elected officials, it's appropriate to be firm, but always be respectful.
Senator D. Chris Buttars, Chair
dcbuttars@utahsenate.org
Home: (801) 561-0535
Fax: (801) 561-3242
Representative Paul Ray, Chair
pray@utah.gov
Cell Phone: 801-725-2719
Representative Trisha S. Beck
tbeck@utah.gov
Home Phone: 801-572-2325
Cell Phone: 801-243-1596
Senator Gregory S. Bell
gbell@utahsenate.org
Office: (801) 531-8900
Senator Allen M. Christensen
achristensen@utahsenate.org
Home: (801) 782-5600
Cell: (801) 710-0315
Representative Bradley M. Daw
bdaw@utah.gov
Cell Phone: 801-850-3608
Senator David P. Hinkins
dhinkins@utahsenate.org
Home: (435) 384-5550
Office: (435) 748-2828
Fax: (435) 748-2089
Representative Eric K. Hutchings
ehutchings@utah.gov
Home Phone: 801-963-2639
Representative Christine A. Johnson
christinejohnson@utah.gov
Cell Phone: 801-661-3489
Senator Patricia W. Jones
pjones@utahsenate.org
Home: (801) 278-7667
Fax: (801) 322-5725
Office: (801) 322-5722
Representative Kay L. McIff
kaymciff@utah.gov
Work Phone: 435-896-4461
Cell Phone: 801-608-4331
Representative Ronda Rudd Menlove
rmenlove@utah.gov
Home Phone: 435-458-9115
Work Phone: 435-797-3728
Representative Phil Riesen
priesen@utah.gov
Home Phone: 801-272-6188
Cell Phone: 801-560-3055
Senator Luz Robles
lrobles@utahsenate.org
Home: (801) 953-0905
Office: (801) 521-0407
Representative Stephen E. Sandstrom
ssandstrom@utah.gov
Home Phone: 801-224-2194
Work Phone: 801-229-0088
Representative Evan J. Vickers
evickers@utah.gov
Home Phone: 435-586-4399
Work Phone: 435-586-9651
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www.ChoiceInEducation.org
Mission
Parents for Choice in Education is dedicated to ensuring every child has equal access to a quality education by empowering parents, increasing choice, and promoting innovative solutions to Utah’s educational challenges.
Vision
We envision a day when all forms of education are open to parents so that every child in Utah has equal access to the quality education that allows them to reach their full potential.
Values
Parents have the right and are best equipped to choose the educational environment that is best for their children.
Children, without regard to race, income, or geography, deserve equal access to a quality education.
Education excellence is achieved through choice, accountability, and 21st century innovations necessary to compete in a global economy.
Board of Directors
Robyn Bagley (Chairman), Cottonwood Heights
Mark Cluff, Alpine
Galey Colosimo, Draper
Lincoln Fillmore, Sandy
Doug Holmes, Farmington
Jodi Holmgren, South Ogden
Jeremy Kidd, West Valley City
Morgan Philpot, American Fork
Randy Smith, Farmington
Trustees
Paul Alstrom
Andy Barfuss
Patrick Byrne
Doug & Erin Holmes
Jim Jenkins
Tricia McGarry
Diana Peterson
Taylor Satterthwaite
Jed & Misti Stevenson
Lew Swain
Scott & Kathy Tenney
Don & Nancy Wilson
Seldon Young
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