Local state rep. wants parents to ‘opt in’ to sex education classes

An Idaho Falls representative presented a draft of a bill that could change how Idaho’s students take part in sex education on Friday. It could give parents an entire look at what their kids are learning.

Rep. Barbara Ehardt is pushing for a bill that lets parents “opt in” their children for sex education classes in public schools. The drafted bill asks for any sexually related material to be available to the parents.

Ehardt said she had not yet consulted with the Idaho School Board Association, but has spoken to many parents.

“Really, it is the parental input of which is most important to me,” Ehardt said. “That the parents in Idaho have the rights to determine that which their children hear, and the parental rights are being overstepped. That is what we’re trying to fix here.”

Rep. John McCrostie of Garden City told Ehardt that it would be “advisable” to talk with education groups, like the Idaho State Board Association.

The committee members voted unanimously to introduce the bill to the House.