Illinois Senate approves sex-ed bill
Published:Thursday | May 23, 2013 | 12:00 AM
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois (AP):
A proposal that revamps sex education in Illinois public schools to include information about contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has cleared the state Senate.
Current state law says sex education should focus on abstinence as the "expected norm". Schools can opt out of teaching sex education altogether.
The bill senators approved yesterday says sex-education curriculums would still stress abstinence but include information on protection and STIs. Districts would still have the option of not teaching sex education and parents could chose to opt out their children.
Senators voted 37 to 21. The House approved it last month and a spokeswoman says Governor Pat Quinn supports it.
Opponents say it's an issue of losing local control and abstinence-only programmes teach valuable principles.