SALT LAKE CITY -
A controversial bill that could change how sex education is taught in schools was abruptly pulled from the Utah State Legislature's Health and Human Services Interim Committee on Wednesday, but that did not stall the debate. Even without any legislation to discuss, lawmakers pressed forward and debated the merits of Utah's sexual education curriculum.
"This is a sensitive and important issue and there are also significant concerns," said Sen. Steve Urquhart, R- St. George, as he asked for more time to research the issues before proposing a bill.
Right now, Utah teaches abstinence-based sex education that includes discussions of puberty, waiting until marriage and some talk of contraceptions and sexually transmitted diseases. What's being proposed would include another track that would allow for more discussion. Utah is only one of three states requiring parents to sign off on their children receiving any sex ed in schools.
"Parents should be the primary source of human sexuality instruction and values related to the subject," said Brenda Hales, the associate superintendent with the Utah State Office of Education.
She said they implement what the legislature dictates when it comes to sex ed. But some lawmakers complain parents are not talking about sex, with the rate of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies on the rise in Utah.
"I have to say I resent that," said Gayle Ruzicka of the Utah Eagle Forum. "Because we're judging parents on what they choose to teach their children."
With no actual bill to debate, the discussion shifted to topics of morality. The group Planned Parenthood was accused of infiltrating schools to push their agenda. Nearly two hours into the debate, a surprise motion was proposed by Sen. David Hinkins, R-Emery County to "not consider any persons or organizations that promotes or recommends teaching extreme sexual acts."
"Are they being considered in the schools right now?" Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, asked him. "I just want to know how this would change things?"
"I worry about using organizations in our public schools that have sites that go to these extreme measures," Rep. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, interjected. "There's got to be people that's knowledgeable that don't go that far."
The motion passed along party lines, but its effect isn't exactly clear. It left Planned Parenthood representatives perplexed.
"It's a little disconcerting to me," said Melissa Bird, the executive director of Planned Parenthood of Utah. "One thing I want our elected officials to understand is what we really do, and there's very few representatives on that committee that have been to our clinic."
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
"This is a sensitive and important issue and there are also significant concerns," said Sen. Steve Urquhart, R- St. George, as he asked for more time to research the issues before proposing a bill.
Right now, Utah teaches abstinence-based sex education that includes discussions of puberty, waiting until marriage and some talk of contraceptions and sexually transmitted diseases. What's being proposed would include another track that would allow for more discussion. Utah is only one of three states requiring parents to sign off on their children receiving any sex ed in schools.
"Parents should be the primary source of human sexuality instruction and values related to the subject," said Brenda Hales, the associate superintendent with the Utah State Office of Education.
She said they implement what the legislature dictates when it comes to sex ed. But some lawmakers complain parents are not talking about sex, with the rate of sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancies on the rise in Utah.
"I have to say I resent that," said Gayle Ruzicka of the Utah Eagle Forum. "Because we're judging parents on what they choose to teach their children."
With no actual bill to debate, the discussion shifted to topics of morality. The group Planned Parenthood was accused of infiltrating schools to push their agenda. Nearly two hours into the debate, a surprise motion was proposed by Sen. David Hinkins, R-Emery County to "not consider any persons or organizations that promotes or recommends teaching extreme sexual acts."
"Are they being considered in the schools right now?" Sen. Pat Jones, D-Holladay, asked him. "I just want to know how this would change things?"
"I worry about using organizations in our public schools that have sites that go to these extreme measures," Rep. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, interjected. "There's got to be people that's knowledgeable that don't go that far."
The motion passed along party lines, but its effect isn't exactly clear. It left Planned Parenthood representatives perplexed.
"It's a little disconcerting to me," said Melissa Bird, the executive director of Planned Parenthood of Utah. "One thing I want our elected officials to understand is what we really do, and there's very few representatives on that committee that have been to our clinic."
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! www.fox13now.com/pics
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
