Bethesda Magazine
12.14.16 | Bethany Rogers
Kelly is offering legislation to expand curriculum for sex education classes
A state delegate from Montgomery County wants to require local public schools to teach students about “affirmative consent” during seventh- and 10th-grade sex education classes.
The drafted legislation would incorporate the consent concept in a curriculum that already covers pregnancy prevention, HIV/AIDS education and awareness of sexually transmitted diseases. Delegate Ariana Kelly said the proposal was inspired by recent conversations with her seventh-grade daughter.
“These are the issues that have been in the news all summer, whether it’s Roger Ailes or Bill Cosby or Donald Trump, these are the conversations I’ve been having with my daughter,” Kelly (D-Bethesda) said.
Kelly said county leaders have focused on combatting sexual assault through aggressive prosecution. However, educating young people about affirmative consent could avert some of the harassment that takes place in high school hallways and college campuses, she argues.
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