2008 Sexuality Education Standards

Updated May 8, 2008

Minnesota Update: Sex Ed Legislation Dropped From the Education Omnibus Bill

Late Monday night the responsible sex ed legislation was dropped from the Education Policy Omnibus bill in conference committee. This is very disappointing to advocates and legislators who have been working on this legislation throughout the 2008 session. The Governor signaled that he would veto the bill because of sex ed after receiving pressure from the Minnesota Family Council. Stay tuned to the HIV Action Network for updates on sex ed. There are less than two weeks left in the 2008 legislative session. It is going to be action packed up to the end! The legislature must adjourn by Monday, May 19.

The Minnesota AIDS Project supports this legislation because we know that responsible sex ed programs can help to prevent HIV infection.

Read More:

Pawlenty says sex ed proposal is unacceptable
by Tim Nelson, Minnesota Public Radio
May 1, 2008

Sex ed curricula all over the map in Minnesota
by Tim Nelson, Minnesota Public Radio
May 4, 2008

Updated April 29, 2008

Minnesota Update: Sex Ed Legislation Passes on the House Floor

On Monday night, the sex ed legislation passed on the House floor, by a vote of 79-53. There were several amendments proposed that would have weakened the bill but they were all defeated. It is because of your work that this legislation has continued to move forward at the Capitol. Your calls, emails, and in person meetings make all of the difference, keep up the good work! This victory comes after nearly ten years of hard work and organizing on the part of hundreds of volunteers.

As noted in the HIV Action Network email last week, the Senate also passed sex ed on the floor.

HOUSE FLOOR VOTE: Voted to Include Sex Ed in the Education Omnibus Bill

HOUSE VOTE: Voted NOT to Include Sex Ed in the Education Omnibus Bill

SENATE VOTE: Voted to remove sex ed from the Education Bill

SENATE VOTE: Voted to KEEP sex ed in the Education Bill

Updated April 24, 2008

Minnesota Update: Sex Ed on the Move at the Capitol

Last week was a big week for sex ed legislation at the Capitol! Thank you for all the calls you made to your legislators in response to the action alert last week. These messages to legislators make a big difference, and keep us moving forward every week.

Senate:
Responsible sex ed passed the Senate floor last week, as a provision within the Senate Education Policy Omnibus bill. To view the Senate floor debate, click here. Go to Wednesday, April 16th and cue up video to 3 hours, 3 minutes, 31 seconds (3:03:31).

House:
Rep. Neva Walker’s stand alone bill HF615 passed through Finance and Ways & Means Committees last week. To view video of the Finance Committee hearing, click here. Go to Tuesday, April 15th and cue up the video to 2 hours, 3 minutes, 18 seconds (2:03:18).

The Minnesota AIDS Project, in partnership with the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, is working hard to keep responsible sex ed legislation moving forward. We support this legislation because we know that responsible sex ed programs can help to prevent HIV infection. We’ll continue moving these bills through the process with the goal of sending a bill to the Governor this session.

Updated April 11, 2008

Take Action—Call Your Senator TODAY to Pass Sex Ed on the Senate Floor

You called your State Representative last week now call your State Senator and say,

“Hi Senator _________, my name is ____________ and I am your constituent.  I am counting on you to support responsible sex ed on the Senate Floor.  Vote to send this important legislation to the Governor.”

Click Here to Find Out Who Your State Senator is.

Background:

The Minnesota AIDS Project, in partnership with the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, is working hard to keep responsible sex ed legislation moving forward.  We support this legislation because we know that responsible sex ed programs can help to prevent HIV infection.  We’re seeing great progress on the bill this session, and it’s because your messages have made an impact on legislators!  Even if you’ve already contacted your legislators about responsible sex ed, we know timing is everything, and they need to hear from you by phone TODAY.  The responsible sex ed bill is scheduled to be heard on the Senate Floor today. 

Updated March 25, 2008

TAKE ACTION: Sex Ed Needs Your Voice

Contact Your Legislators Today!

Send an e-mail message of support for sex ed to your Representative and Senator today. We know that those who oppose sex ed legislation contact their elected officials often. This makes it even more important that legislators hear a strong message of support for this issue from us.

Click here to find your Representative and Senator.

E-mail addresses can be found at www.house.mn and www.senate.mn.

Suggested talking points:

• HIV is primarily spread through sexual contact therefore educating young people about sexual health, including abstinence, is critical.
• Sex education helps young people be safe and healthy. It provides information that Minnesota youth need to become responsible adults.
• The bill creates standards for medically accurate, age appropriate sex education for public school students in grades 7-12.
• Minnesota parents support and want sex education taught in public schools (view parent survey information at www.coalitionforsexed.org).
• Share with your legislator why this issue is important to you.
  

Sex Ed Legislation Update
Last week the Senate amended the Education Policy Omnibus bill (SF3001) to include sex ed. The House has passed HF0615 (the bill introduced in 2007) through K-12 Finance Committee and it should now move through two additional committees on its way to the House floor. Consistent language is found in both bills

Updated March 11, 2008

Minnesota Update: Hearing on Sex Education Bill Scheduled

The sex education bill (SF 3349), which is authored by Sen. Sandy Pappas, is scheduled for a hearing in the Senate Education Policy Committee on Wednesday, March 12. The hearing is open to the public. See below for hearing details.

Hearing details: (Committee schedules are subject to frequent change. Please check the Senate Education Policy Committee schedule to confirm hearing date and time.)

Wednesday, March 12, 2008
3:00 p.m.
Committee on Education
Chair: Senator Wiger
Room 15, State Capitol

Updated March 7, 2008

Minnesota Update: Sex Education Legislation Introduced

Senator Sandy Pappas (St. Paul—DFL) and Representative Neva Walker (Minneapolis—DFL) have recently introduced sex education legislation in the Minnesota House and Senate. Sex education teaches both abstinence and contraception to reduce the risk of HIV, STIs and unintended pregnancy. This legislation would, for the first time, establish standards for medically accurate, age appropriate sex education in Minnesota.

The Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, with Minnesota AIDS Project as a leading partner, will be working throughout the legislative session to advance this legislation. The sex education legislation has broad support from both Democrats and Republicans.

Bill Numbers: Senate File 3349 and House File 3731

Last Updated: Thursday, May 8, 2008
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