Text of MA H 333 (2014)

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3179 FILED ON: 1/18/2013 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 333 The Commonwealth of Massachusetts _________________ PRESENTED BY: Matthew A. Beaton _______________ To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled: The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the passage of the accompanying bill: An Act regarding parental notification and consent. _______________ PETITION OF: NAME: DISTRICT/ADDRESS: Matthew A. Beaton 11th Worcester Peter J. Durant 6th Worcester James R. Miceli 19th Middlesex Thomas J. Calter 12th Plymouth Keiko M. Orrall 12th Bristol Randy Hunt 5th Barnstable Ryan C. Fattman 18th Worcester HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 3179 FILED ON: 1/18/2013 HOUSE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . No. 333 By Mr. Beaton of Shrewsbury, a petition (accompanied by bill, House, No. 333) of Matthew A. Beaton and others for legislation to require parental notification and consent prior to implementing age appropriate sexual health education in the schools. Education. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts _______________ In the Year Two Thousand Thirteen _______________ An Act regarding parental notification and consent. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: 1 Chapter 71, Section 32A of the General Laws is hereby revised as follows: 2 Section 32A. Human sexuality education; Requirements for parental notification and 3 consent. 4 (a) Every city, town, or regional school district, vocational school district, or charter 5 school presenting, implementing, or maintaining school programs involving human sexuality 6 issues and behaviors shall adopt and implement a written policy ensuring parental/guardian 7 notification of such school programs and a description of their content. 8 (b) All such school programs shall be offered only in clearly identified non-mandatory 9 elective courses, units, or activities in which parents or guardians may choose to enroll their 10 children through written notification to the school, in a manner reasonably similar to other 11 elective courses, units, or activities offered by the school district. 12 (c) The school shall make available instruction materials and related items with adequate 13 advance notice to parents, guardians, educators, school administrators, and others for inspection 14 and review. Through written request prior to a related special event or assembly held at school, 15 parents or guardians shall be allowed access to monitor its content. 16 (d) No public school teacher, administrator, or staff member shall be required to 17 participate in any such school programs that violate his religious beliefs. 18 (e) The term "human sexuality issues and behaviors" includes but is not limited to: sexual 19 education, contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, promiscuity, homosexuality, 20 bisexuality, lesbianism, transsexuality, transgenderism, cross-dressing, gender re-assignment, sex 21 change, opposite-sex hormone treatments, sodomy, oral sex, anal sex, masturbation, fornication, 22 bestiality, pansexuality, pederasty, prostitution, polygamy, polyandry, bondage and discipline, 23 and sadomasochism. It also includes issues, concepts, and relationships deriving from those 24 issues and behaviors, including but not limited to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender 25 stereotype, alternative parenting models, and non-traditional marriage and family constructs. 26 (f) The term "school programs" includes but is not limited to any school sanctioned 27 activity, or portion thereof directed toward students, whether on or off campus, whether during 28 or outside school hours, whether organized, presented or directed by school employees, agents of 29 the school, students, volunteers, outside presenters, or others. Such school programs include, but 30 are not limited to, classes, curriculum, assemblies, outside speakers, workshops, theater 31 productions, recognized student clubs, teacher/staff organizations meeting in the school 32 including students, private or non-private counseling sessions, materials displayed or available in 33 staff offices or classrooms, teachable moments, suggested or recommended (non-required) 34 reading lists or assignments, videos, exhibits, posters, displays, public announcements, and 35 handouts.