Sex Ed In Elementary Schools: Pass-Area Lawmaker Seeks Visibility

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — Parents and faith-based leaders who advocate for "increased transparency in elementary-age sex education" will join an Inland Empire lawmaker at the state capitol Wednesday to push for his bill, SB 673.

State Senator Mike Morrell (R), who represents District 23 — which includes the cities of Banning and Beaumont — will be on hand for Wednesday's 8 a.m. rally and presentation. The event precedes a 9 a.m. hearing on the bill in the Senate Education Committee.

Although it has a long way to go, if the bill makes it to Gov. Gavin Newsom's desk and is signed by the governor, it would require school districts that teach elementary-age "comprehensive" sexual health and HIV prevention to put that curriculum online for parental review.

It would also allow parents of elementary-age students (TK-6th grade) to opt their children into sexual health and HIV prevention education courses, rather than just opt their kids out. Additionally, it requires such lessons to be "age-appropriate and medically accurate."

In a released statement, Morrell said, “Parents have the right to know what lessons are being covered in the classroom. We want them to be engaged and involved in the education of their children. This sensitive material needs to be transparent.”