Montana HB471: Revise education laws related to human sexuality and identity instruction

What the bill says

An act revising school laws related to human sexuality and identity instruction to increase the transparency of curriculum and strengthen the rights of parents to control their child's instruction by requiring parent or guardian permission for a child to receive identity instruction; revising requirements for schools to provide notice to parents and guardians prior to the provision of human sexuality instruction; providing and revising definitions; requiring trustees to report violations to the board of public education; amending section 20-7-120, mca; and providing an effective date.".

From the engrossed text:

AN ACT REVISING SCHOOL LAWS RELATED TO HUMAN SEXUALITY AND IDENTITY INSTRUCTION TO INCREASE THE TRANSPARENCY OF CURRICULUM AND STRENGTHEN THE RIGHTS OF PARENTS TO CONTROL THEIR CHILD'S INSTRUCTION BY REQUIRING PARENT OR GUARDIAN PERMISSION FOR A CHILD TO RECEIVE IDENTITY INSTRUCTION; REVISING REQUIREMENTS FOR SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO PARENTS AND GUARDIANS PRIOR TO THE PROVISION OF HUMAN SEXUALITY INSTRUCTION; PROVIDING AND REVISING DEFINITIONS; REQUIRING TRUSTEES TO REPORT VIOLATIONS TO THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION; AMENDING SECTION 20-7-120, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." Section 1. Section 20-7-120, MCA, is amended to read: "20-7-120. Excused absences from curriculum requirements Human sexuality instruction -- notice to parents -- excused absences -- prohibited activities. (1) (a) A parent, guardian, or other person who is responsible for the care of a child may refuse to allow the child to attend or withdraw the child from a course of instruction, a class period, an assembly, an organized school function, or instruction provided by the district through its staff or guests invited at the request of the district regarding human sexuality instruction. The withdrawal or refusal to attend is an excused absence pursuant to 20-5-103. (b) A school may not allow a child to attend identity instruction unless the child's parent or guardian agrees in writing to allow the child to attend. Pursuant to …

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