Write Rep. Linda Chaney: Withdraw HB 545, her effort to make it harder for young Floridians to learn about safe sex

Pinellas youth have the right to lead healthy lives. They need access to sex education.

Pinellas County Schools, like most Florida districts, already require a parent notification letter to be sent (called opt out). An opt out policy ensures that most students receive the sexuality education currently offered and are not prevented from attending due to letters never arriving home or mistakenly not being sent back in.

A bill to instead require that parents opt in has been filed by Rep. Linda Chaney, who represents Pinellas County District 69 in the Florida Legislature. If Rep. Chaney has her way students would have to obtain their parent’s written permission before they can partake in any sex ed curriculum. Research clearly shows that policies like HB 545 stigmatize and limit access to sex education and do not keep children safe.

Providing young people with the skills and tools to make healthy decisions about sex and relationships is far more effective than denying them information.

Send a message now to Rep. Chaney urging her to immediately withdraw her bill that will make it harder for young Floridians to learn about safe sex.

Dear Representative Chaney:

I am writing as a Pinellas County resident to voice alarm about your HB 545 which would make it harder for students to access sex education in Florida classrooms.  For the past three years, sexually transmitted disease rates have been higher among teens in Pinellas county than the state average.  New HIV infection rates are up 22% in 13 to 24 year olds.

One way to help teens make healthy choices is giving them easy access to sex education in our schools.

Ideally, sexuality education should be a partnership between parents and schools. Communications with parents letting them know about upcoming sexuality education lessons not only keeps parents informed but gives them opportunities to follow up with questions or preview materials. Pinellas County Schools, like most Florida districts, already require a parent notification letter to be sent (called opt out). An opt out policy ensures that most students receive the sexuality education currently offered and are not prevented from attending due to letters never arriving home or mistakenly not being sent back in.

Your "opt in" proposal would take us backward -- requiring students  to obtain their parent’s written permission before they can partake in any sex ed curriculum.

Sex education is one effective way to keep our kids safe and healthy.  Research clearly shows that policies like you have put forward stigmatize and limit access to sex education and have the opposite effect of keeping children safe.

Please withdraw HB 545.

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By providing my contact information, I consent to have Empowering Pinellas Youth Collaborative (EPYC) and Progress Florida contact me with information about this and future campaigns.