On February 21, 2023, the Worcester County and Somerset County Board of Education voted unanimously to submit a letter of opposition to the Maryland General Assembly for Maryland House Bill 119 and Senate Bill 199. On February 22, 2023, the Wicomico County Board of Education did the same. These cross-filed bills were submitted in the General Assembly to use legislation to force counties to implement the Maryland Comprehensive Health Framework. These bills are designed to undermine local control, which is an overreach of power. In addition, the "framework" encroaches on curriculum, which the state cannot mandate.
In addition, there are moral issues contained in this framework, that many parents see as crossing the line. Pages 28-38 cover the sexualization of Pre-K through 12th grade, implementing "Sex Gender Identity Indoctrination" centered on affirmation of same sex relationships, exploring gender, sexual orientation, and identity at the early stages. By age 12, topics include oral, vaginal, anal, masturbation, and other sexual acts. The framework goes so far as to integrate Critical Race Theory into the framework that requires children to recognize racism and intersectionality and to describe their impacts on sex. Grade 6-8 addresses sexually-explicit media (porn).
Most parents agree that the Comprehensive Health Framework violates parental rights and that such teachings should be left up to a parent to teach their child (not the school). These bills include an opt-out provision, but communications always seem to fail to inform parents of their rights. Most parents believe and argue that it is only an option if there is an opt-in instead of an opt-out if the legislation were to pass.
The DPTC supports and applauds Worcester, Wicomico, and Somerset County Board of Education for opposing these bills.
Fellows & Editors
February 22, 2023 Copyright DelmarvaPTC.org
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