Bill > SB5137

This bill aims to modify existing law regarding comprehensive sexual health education in Washington public schools by requiring explicit parental or legal guardian written approval before a child can participate in such instruction. Currently, parents can opt their children out of sexual health education by filing a written request, but this bill would change that process to require proactive written approval from parents before any sexual health education can be delivered. The bill mandates that beginning in the 2025-26 school year, schools must notify parents in writing about planned comprehensive sexual health education and receive their written consent before instruction occurs. The legislation maintains existing requirements that sexual health education must be medically accurate, age-appropriate, inclusive, and cover topics like human development, healthy relationships, consent, and disease prevention. The bill preserves the existing curriculum standards and learning objectives for sexual health education while shifting the consent mechanism from an opt-out to an opt-in model, effectively giving parents more direct control over their children's sexual health education participation.

Education

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=5137&Year=2025&Initiative=false