Bill would update sex education law in Michigan for the first time in 20 years
LANSING, Mich., Nov. 13, 2024 — State Rep. Rachel Hood (D-Grand Rapids) and Speaker Pro Tem Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia) held a press conference today discussing legislation to update Michigan’s outdated sexual education laws. House Bill 6068 would ensure young people in Michigan receive medically accurate, research-informed, inclusive, and age- and developmentally appropriate sex education that reflects today’s public health and safety standards.
“Comprehensive sex education goes beyond just teaching the fundamentals, it will equip Michigan’s young people with knowledge needed to foster healthy relationships, understand consent and make good choices. This is vital for decreasing instances of violence and trauma, both against oneself and others,” Hood said. “House Bill 6068 would ensure that sex education standards align with the current needs of our state.”
The legislation would update Michigan’s sex education laws for the first time in over 20 years, with parent and school interests strongly in mind. It gives districts even more of a voice, with an emphasis on family involvement and community input. Districts can still opt to not offer sex education, and parents can still opt their child out with no penalty.
“A lot has changed in 20 years. Our curriculum should grow with and reflect the needs of the community and world we live in — every student deserves to see themselves in their curriculum. To fail to update this curriculum is to fail our students,” Pohutsky said. “I am happy to support this legislation and believe it provides a long overdue change for our students.”
Current sex education laws have a much higher focus on abstinence as the only 100% effective method to prevent pregnancy and STIs. They also lack aspects of inclusivity, potentially neglecting the experiences and health needs of LGBTQ+ students while also lacking a curriculum for students to understand consent.
“Continuing to ignore the urgent need for an update is simply unethical. Young people deserve access to medically accurate, inclusive and age-appropriate information about their health and relationships,” said Taryn Gal, executive director at the Michigan Organization on Adolescent Sexual Health (MOASH). “Failing to pass this bill would be a disservice to Michigan’s youth, leaving them unprepared to navigate today’s challenges around consent, digital safety and making informed decisions about their health and safety. We are deeply grateful to Representative Hood for her commitment to modernizing this legislation, so that Michigan students can learn the skills to build safe, respectful relationships and protect their well-being.”
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