In what can only be seen as a SHOCKING vote (at least to some) Delegate Eric Bouchat (District 5) votes yes on HB 558. This legislation passed 97 to 36 on February 23rd:
Here is a look at the vote:
Here is a closer look at the YEA votes if the one above is hard to see:
About HB 558: Primary and Secondary Education – Comprehensive Health Education Framework – Established
- Requiring the State Department of Education, in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Health, to develop a comprehensive health education framework; requiring each county board of education to create an age-appropriate curriculum that is consistent with the comprehensive health education framework; requiring each county board to establish policies, guidelines, and procedures for a parent or guardian to opt out of certain topics for the parent’s or guardian’s student, subject to certain requirements; etc.
View additional details here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/hb0558
Many local Republicans in Carroll County and across the state had been against this legislation. Here is information from Delegate Matt Morgan (Republican – St. Mary’s County) from a couple of days ago:
Remember when Democrats said gender identity ideology was not happening in our school?
They just snuck in an amendment on HB558 that will disallow parents to opt out of the teaching of gender identity and sexual orientation curriculum. So, as amended, parents will be able to opt out of family life but not gender identity and sexual orientation. This curriculum will be taught to children and young as kindergartners.
If you disagree with this, I encourage you to contact the Democrat representatives in the Maryland General Assembly and tell them that your child is not their property. Tell them to stop taking away parental rights
Here is a look at the change of the amendment noted in the video above:
View the full text of HB 558 here: https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2024RS/bills/hb/hb0558t.pdf
Here are comments from Board of Education members and others in our community about this legislation:
Carroll County Board of Education member Tara Battaglia (February 23rd)
- It is very disappointing that anyone would want to take away a parent’s right to choose which Family Life curriculum is appropriate for their family. It should stay at the local level of any BOE and should be a parent’s decision. Not the State!
More to come as additional details are gathered. Stay tuned…
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