Consent Requirement Back in Hoosier Sex Ed Bill

STATEHOUSE – A policy requiring schools to teach consent as part of sex education is back in Senate bill after debate among lawmakers.

The bill, which requires schools to get parent permission before adding certain lessons to health classes, initially included a provision added by the Indiana House to teach students about the importance of consent.

However, during a recent committee meeting, State Senator Gary Byrne removed this language while keeping a provision that mandates showing a video of a developing fetus. Following public criticism, Byrne announced he plans to reinstate the consent language, stating he had listened to concerns from across Indiana.

Several lawmakers, including Rep. Tonya Pfaff and Sen. Ed Delaney, argued that removing the consent language was a step backward. Rep. Becky Cash suggested tailoring consent education to be age-appropriate.

The ACLU of Indiana opposed the bill, claiming it politicizes sex education and repeats guidelines already in place.

Senate Bill 442 is now heading back to the Senate floor for a final decision.