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House approves abstinence-only curriculum bill after heated debate and amendments
Summary
HB 411, requiring abstinence-only instruction as the state default for sex education and restricting outside materials, passed the House after extensive floor debate and several amendments limiting outside providers and clarifying parental roles. Vote: 40–27.
The House passed House Bill 411 on a 40–27 vote after one of the session’s longest and most contentious debates. Representative David Wright, sponsor of the measure, said the bill narrows state-sponsored instruction to an abstinence-only framework and tightens control over materials used in the classroom.
Floor discussion spanned concerns about parental rights, public health, materials and who may supply curriculum. Opponents warned the measure would limit access to information that reduces unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections; supporters said the bill raises expectations and puts abstinence front-and-center in public schools. Representative Butters and others urged parental responsibility; Representative Carlson and other critics said restricting external materials and treating extramarital sexual activity as “criminal conduct” (an adopted floor amendment) could stigmatize young people and create legal and fiscal consequences for school districts.
The House adopted multiple amendments during floor consideration, including language restricting non‑state materials used in abstinence instruction and an amendment requiring that extramarital sexual relations be described in the curriculum as criminal conduct; sponsors said those changes reflected their policy goals. The final roll call: HB 411 received 40 yes votes and 27 no votes and will be referred to the Senate.
Why it matters: The bill changes state direction on classroom health instruction and tightens control over curriculum sourcing and content; it also triggered procedural discussion about fiscal impacts and local implementation.
