By Journalist Lexi Sapien (RSC)
TU-502 was given a significant amount of debate before it was failed by the senate.
The “Mandatory Sex Education” act requires schools in Oklahoma to educate students four times throughout grade five to 12 of sexual health education and prevention education.
There were many different opinions of the legislation from saying it was communistic to it is a set part of curriculum.
Senator Minton was on the opponency side not because of what the bill was trying to do but because of the timeline of the bill. If the bill would have been passed it would have come into effect sometime in March, midway through the academic semester. Senator Minton felt strongly about this as both his parents are educators. He goes on to say the effort put forth from teachers to make sure the curriculum is within the requirements with this bill it would create chaos to implement within the middle of a semester.
Another opinion on this bill comes from Senator Robison. He voted and debated against this bill based on the fact he does not support any policy totalitarian, communist, or tyrannical. He further says the bill sought to control the ability of parents to make decisions of their own children with regard to education and what they are taught, especially content that is naturally explicit. Senator Robison believes this type of content and curriculum should be handled by the parent in a home setting and not in a state-funded, taxpayer paid school.
Senator Plane was in favor of the bill. She feels very passionate about educating young Oklahomans and believes it was very well written. In response to the effect of parental rights,she goes on to say the State of Oklahoma already sets curriculum and standards of curriculum, it is not something this bill would be adding. She gives an example of a parent not allowing her child to learn biology (a standard of curriculum for the state) a parent should not have the right to say you may not teach my child basic education that the state has outlined. Her understanding is if this bill was passed it would be put into curriculum and the parent would not be able to have a say so.
This topic had great debate and it was moving to see how strongly the senators felt on this certain bill.