God entrusts children to parents and it is parents, first and foremost, who enjoy the privilege and responsibility of forming their children and providing them with an integral education. Parents have a particular responsibility in the area of sexual education. Children should be taught the meaning of sexuality and learn to appreciate the human and moral values connected with it. If parents choose to engage others in assisting with the sexual education of their children, they have an obligation to inquire about the content and methods used in order to verify that such an important and sensitive topic is dealt with properly.

Senate Bill 99 affirms that parents have a crucial and irreplaceable responsibility and role in their children’s moral development generally and in particular in the delicate area of human sexuality. Perhaps too often today, parents are unaware of what is being taught in the classroom. We believe requiring parents to “opt-in” reinforces their role as the primary teacher of their children. The opt-in approach also provides parents notice that this topic is being taught to their children and offers parents and schools the opportunity to further the collaboration so essential to the proper formation and education of the children in their care.