Sexual education bill Referendum 90 approved in early returns
Nov 3, 2020, 8:40 PM | Updated: Oct 7, 2024, 9:13 am
(Unsplash)
(Unsplash)
In the first two ballot tallies, Referendum 90, a bill that would enact comprehensive K-12 sexual education statewide, is currently passing with 59.5% voting in favor and 40.5% against the measure.
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The curriculum outlined in the legislation covers a variety of topics in the realm of sexual health, and was initially approved by the state Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Inslee. After public outcry from those claiming that it would teach sexually inappropriate lessons to children, enough signatures were gathered to put it to voters for final approval.
In middle school and especially in high school, the more mature topics of reproduction, STDs, and sexual assault are addressed. These lessons build on concepts taught in previous grades, such as physiology.
In elementary school, sex-ed topics will be limited to protecting the body in cases of physical assault or if somebody is inappropriately touching. No student will be required to participate in any of these classes, with the bill providing families the ability to opt their children out.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Education Commission of the United States, sexual education has never appeared on a state ballot, with that type of curriculum typically handled by school boards and state-level lawmakers.
