Helena flap prompts House to crack down on sex programs

HELENA — The Montana Senate is endorsing a proposal popular with House Republicans to crack down on local school district sex education policies.

The measure follows uproar in Helena last year over a proposed sex education plan that resulted in several long public meetings and revisions.

The Senate voted 27-23 in support of the plan Thursday in an initial vote.

House Bill 456 would require schools to notify parents in advance of sex education and receive the parent's written consent before their child attends. The bill prohibits schools from using instruction materials from organizations that provide abortion services.

Supporters argued it is needed to ensure parents are involved in sex education.

Opponents say it interferes with local control, and pointed out parents can already opt-out of any sex education.