Real Sex Education Bill Clears First Hurdle
5/1/2007 - At its meeting today the House Heath Committee sent House Bill 879, "Modify School Health Education Program" on to an Education subcommittee. The bill would replace the outdated and inaccurate "abstinence until marriage" program with a comprehensive sex education program.
House Health Committee Chair Rep. Bob England
Rep. Susan Fisher, the bill's lead sponsor, gave a moving and persuasive presentation on the need for this bill, and the Pediatrician's Association also spoke for the bill. Due to a tight schedule, other experts did not get to voice their support, but several were there to help.
Since the committee ran out of time for full debate on the bill, it voted to send it on to the House Education Subcommittee on Pre-School, Elementary and Secondary Education "without prejudice" for further consideration. The bill is expected to be heard more fully in the committee in the coming weeks.
Equality NC is proud to be part of the coalition supporting this bill. Together with our allies, we were able to generate more emails and calls supporting this bill than our far right opponents. Other groups working on the issue include NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina, Planned Parenthood of Central NC, Planned Parenthood Health Systems, NOW, Covenant with North Carolina's Children, the Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Coalition, ACLU-NC, and the National Association of Social Workers NC.
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