May 31, 2019 04:21 PM UTC

Ending a Saga, Sex Ed Bill Signed into Law Today

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• by: Jason Salzman

(Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Ending a legislative saga filled with lurid misinformation to try to stop a sex-ed bill from gaining traction, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed into law today legislation that bans schools from teaching only about abstinence in their sex ed courses.

Schools can opt out of teaching sex ed completely, but if they choose to include it, the course must be comprehensive, addressing all legitimate pregnancy-prevention options, the experiences of LGBTQ students, abortion, and more.

Under the law, schools can seek a waiver from the bill’s requirements. So it’s not clear how many Colorado students will be still receive abstinence-only sex-ed classes.

Still, proponents of the legislation praised its passage into law today.

“Students who receive sex education in Colorado schools will be better prepared with more comprehensive, medically-accurate information than ever before thanks to the Youth Wellness Act that was signed into law today by Gov. Jared Polis,” said Vicki Cowart, President of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.”

“Giving students real information on healthy relationships and consent, including LGBTQ students in this learning, and allowing the full spectrum of pregnancy outcomes – including abortion – to be taught will shape generations to come. We know that when we don’t give young people the information they need, misinformation will fill the gap. That’s no way to prepare our children for the future.

“This law will foster acceptance, thoughtful decision-making, and give students tools to navigate the landscape of human relationships and sexuality.  Colorado should be proud that we are giving our young people the opportunity to form healthy foundations for a lifetime.”

Denise S. Maes, Public Policy Director of the ACLU of Colorado, also praised the bill.

“The ACLU is proud to have worked with PPRM on this historical piece of legislation. For the first time in our State’s history there will be funding for all-inclusive, medically-accurate health information. It’s a win for students, a win for Colorado.”