Alaska House approves restrictions on sex ed in schools

After being voted down three times in the state House, an education bill that puts restrictions on sexual education in Alaska schools was approved by lawmakers.

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Rep. Wes Keller addresses the Alaska House of Representatives, March 16, 2014. (File Photo by Skip Gray, Gavel Alaska)
Rep. Wes Keller, one of the sponsors of HB 156. (File Photo by Skip Gray, Gavel Alaska)

House Bill 156 would leave the question of WHO can teach WHAT in sex ed lessons to the discretion of school boards.

The measure would also give school districts a two-year break from statewide standardized testing, with a caveat that the state could restart testing sooner IF failing to do so would jeopardize its federal education funding.

The Senate version of the bill passed in a House vote Thursday, after a previous failing vote was rescinded.

In a series of tweets Thursday, Planned Parenthood called on Governor Bill Walker to veto the measure.

Hannah Colton is a reporter at a in Dillingham.

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