The Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW) is delighted to announce the recent passage of Utah’s HB233, School Curriculum Amendments, which prohibits entities that perform elective abortions from providing health-related instruction or materials in public schools. This legislative action reflects a commitment to safeguarding the integrity of our children’s education by eliminating potential conflicts of interest in the classroom.
Prior to this bill, approximately 6,000 students across elementary, junior high, and high school levels in Utah received instruction from elective abortion providers in 2023. While this number represents a fraction of the student population, the presence of organizations that financially benefit from elective abortions in educational settings posed ethical concerns.Specifically, these providers profit from services related to sexual activity, creating a potential conflict when they are involved in teaching sex education. Recognizing this, the Utah Legislature acted to ensure that educational content remains unbiased and free from external influences that could affect the well-being of children.
Utah’s proactive stance aligns with measures taken by other states to address similar concerns. In 2013, Kansas passed HB 2253, which, among other provisions, banned Planned Parenthood from providing sex education in schools. More recently, in 2021, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a state decision to prohibit Planned Parenthood from teaching sex education programs funded by federal grants. These legislative actions underscore a growing recognition of the importance of ensuring that those entrusted with educating our youth do not have vested interests that could compromise the objectivity of the instruction.
Some citizens have expressed concerns that HB233 might limit parental choice in education. However, it’s important to note that Utah operates on an opt-in system for sex education, requiring parental consent for student participation. Opt-in forms do not specify who would be delivering maturation or sex education classes, leaving parents uninformed about the affiliations of instructors. HB233 addresses this gap by ensuring that organizations with potential conflicts of interest are not involved in teaching these sensitive subjects, thereby enhancing transparency and trust in the educational system.
Additionally, other citizens were concerned that if the bill passed that their children wouldn’t be able to receive sex instruction or maturation, and that medical professionals would be excluded from teaching at schools. However, since the bill affects such a small number of schools along the Wasatch Front, most schools in the state will see no change at all. Regarding the concern about medical professionals, the bill did not limit medical professionals from any hospital or medical office from teaching in schools so long as they are not funded by an elective abortion provider.
WOW is proud to have supported HB233 and applauds the Utah legislators for their foresight and dedication to protecting our children’s educational environment. By enacting this bill, they have prioritized the well-being of students, ensuring that health education is delivered by individuals and organizations whose primary interest is the health and safety of our youth, free from any conflicting financial incentives.
This legislative milestone reaffirms our collective responsibility to provide children with education that is both impartial and in their best interest. WOW remains committed to advocating for policies that uphold the integrity of our educational system and promote the welfare of families worldwide.
