Sex ed bill passed in the state senate for fifth time. Why it likely won't become law

BOSTON — For the fifth time, the state Senate has passed the Healthy Youth Act, which would update and codify sex education guidelines.

But passage in the House remains unlikely.

Under the measure, school districts that elect to teach sex education would follow state guidelines guidelines and examine the formation of healthy relationships; gender identity and sexual orientation; preventing sexually transmitted diseases; discussing safe sex; and more.

State Sen. Becca Rausch, D-Needham, one of the bill's co-sponsors, said the bill gives students a space to discuss “age-appropriate, medically accurate, comprehensive, inclusive information,” when it comes to their bodies and relationships.

'They're coming out earlier': OUT MetroWest helps LGBTQ+ youth thrive, build community

The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education created an updated sex education framework last year; the bill would require districts that opt in to teaching sex education to follow that framework. Parents would continue to have the right to have their children opt out.

“The Healthy Youth Act turns them into a minimum standard,” said state Sen. Sal DiDomenico, D-Everett. “It gives teeth to frameworks, and ensures kids aren't receiving inaccurate and harmful information. This prevents bad stuff from being taught in our schools.”

Critics say bill would allow for content that may not be age appropriate

Critics say the new guidelines would mandate "comprehensive sexual education," which introduces “concerning” content that may not be age appropriate for younger students.

“We don’t want kids to be sexualized,” said Mary Ellen Siegler, of the Massachusetts Family Institute. “We don’t want them to be exposed to graphic content, and we want local districts to remain in control of their curriculum.”

Siegler, the Institute’s director of communications, research and operations, also said the bill would create an “extra layer and barrier” for non-family members to access curriculum materials.

Another version of the bill filed in the House by state Rep. James O’Day, D-West Boylston, is unlikely to get a vote. House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-Quincy, said in a statement that he would prefer school districts to take time to integrate the state framework before cementing it into law.

Siegler said she believes sex education should be handled at home. But if taught in schools, she said it should be through a sexual risk avoidance curriculum, which teaches about avoiding the risks of sexual activity through abstinence, as opposed to the comprehensive sex education reflected in the state’s framework.

OUTMetroWest says teaching about queer relationships can help destigmatize them

Sam Jean, communications and outreach manager of OUTMetroWest, a Framingham-based organization that hosts programs for LGBTQ youth, said people will engage in sexual activity regardless, and there’s no reason to deny people information about safely engaging in those practices.

She said schools can be more open about these conversations, whereas at home parents "might not be equipped” to talk about sex education.

Jean said current curriculums can be “outdated” and that teaching about queer relationships in the classroom can help destigmatize them, reducing bullying and harassment.

“Queer people have always been here,” she said. “We’re always going to be here and those views deserve a safe environment to exist in as everyone else does.”

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: MA sex education bill passes Senate, unlikely to get vote in the House