A bill to ban organizations affiliated with abortion providers from teaching sexual education to Alaskan students died in a House committee this week. A bare-bones replacement has been added to another bill currently in the Senate by the original bill’s sponsor.
The House Health and Social Services Committee voted against the initial bill 5 to 2 on Tuesday. Senate Bill 89 would have prevented school districts from contracting with organizations like Planned Parenthood to provide sex ed to students.
Homer Representative Paul Seaton says it threatened the constitutional rights of free speech and association.
Senate Bill 89’s sponsor, Wasilla Senator Mike Dunleavy, responded Wednesday by adding an amendment to House Bil 156, a bill that passed the House Sunday.
The new version of the bill that deals with federal education mandates says sex education may only be taught by certified teachers, which could prevent outside specialists from providing instruction.
