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Committee forwards parental opt‑in proposal for classroom materials after emotional testimony
Summary
House Bill 239, which would require parental opt‑in consent before students receive instruction defined as sexual content, was reported out of committee after sponsors said the measure protects parental rights and opponents warned of administrative burdens and risks to mandatory reporting obligations.
The House Committee on Education voted to send House Bill 239 to the House floor with a due‑pass recommendation after sponsors said the bill would require affirmative parental consent for classroom instruction that meets a statutory definition of sexual content and after parents described classroom incidents that prompted the proposal.
Sponsor Representative Hart said the bill is narrowly about consent and transparency, not about banning materials. "This legislation is about consent," Representative Hart said. She told the committee the state currently operates largely on an "opt‑out" approach and that the bill would require schools to obtain opt‑in consent from parents at least two weeks before teaching material that fits the statute's definition of sexual content. Under the…
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