HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 831        FILED ON: 1/17/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 295

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Joseph D. McKenna

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act regarding parental notification and consent.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 831        FILED ON: 1/17/2017

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 295

[SIMILAR MATTER FILED IN PREVIOUS SESSION
SEE HOUSE, NO. 439 OF 2015-2016.]

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

_______________

In the One Hundred and Ninetieth General Court
(2017-2018)

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An Act regarding parental notification and consent.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

Chapter 71, Section 32A of the General Laws is hereby revised as follows:

Section 32A. Human sexuality education; Requirements for parental notification and consent.

(a) Every city, town, or regional school district, vocational school district, or charter school presenting, implementing, or maintaining school programs involving human sexuality issues and behaviors shall adopt and implement a written policy ensuring parental/guardian notification of such school programs and a description of their content.

(b) All such school programs shall be offered only in clearly identified non-mandatory elective courses, units, or activities in which parents or guardians may choose to enroll their children through written notification to the school, in a manner reasonably similar to other elective courses, units, or activities offered by the school district.

(c) The school shall make available instruction materials and related items with adequate advance notice to parents, guardians, educators, school administrators, and others for inspection and review. Through written request prior to a related special event or assembly held at school, parents or guardians shall be allowed access to monitor its content.

(d) No public school teacher, administrator, or staff member shall be required to participate in any such school programs that violate his religious beliefs.

(e) The term "human sexuality issues and behaviors" includes but is not limited to: sexual education, contraception, abortion, sexually transmitted diseases, promiscuity, homosexuality, bisexuality, lesbianism, transsexuality, transgenderism, cross-dressing, gender re-assignment, sex change, opposite-sex hormone treatments, sodomy, oral sex, anal sex, masturbation, fornication, bestiality, pansexuality, pederasty, prostitution, polygamy, polyandry, bondage and discipline, and sadomasochism. It also includes issues, concepts, and relationships deriving from those issues and behaviors, including but not limited to sexual orientation, gender identity, gender stereotype, alternative parenting models, and non-traditional marriage and family constructs.

(f) The term "school programs" includes but is not limited to any school sanctioned activity, or portion thereof directed toward students, whether on or off campus, whether during or outside school hours, whether organized, presented or directed by school employees, agents of the school, students, volunteers, outside presenters, or others. Such school programs include, but are not limited to, classes, curriculum, assemblies, outside speakers, workshops, theater productions, recognized student clubs, teacher/staff organizations meeting in the school including students, private or non-private counseling sessions, materials displayed or available in staff offices or classrooms, teachable moments, suggested or recommended (non-required) reading lists or assignments, videos, exhibits, posters, displays, public announcements, and handouts.