STATE OF NEW JERSEY
221st LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2024 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman GERRY SCHARFENBERGER
District 13 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman MICHELE MATSIKOUDIS
District 21 (Middlesex, Morris, Somerset and Union)
Assemblywoman VICTORIA A. FLYNN
District 13 (Monmouth)
SYNOPSIS
Requires parental consent for student to participate in health, family life education, or sex education program.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
An Act concerning sex education curriculum in public schools and amending P.L.1979, c.428.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. Section 2 of P.L.1979, c.428 (C.18A:35-4.7) is amended to read as follows:
2. Any child whose parent or guardian [presents to the school principal a signed statement that any part of the instructions in health, family life education or sex education is in conflict with his conscience, or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs] does not provide prior written consent to participate in any health, family life education, or sex education program shall be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties as to credit or graduation shall result therefrom.
(cf: P.L.1979, c.428, s.2)
2. This act shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This bill requires parental consent for a public school student to participate in health, family life education, or sex education program.
Under current law, any child whose parent or guardian presents to the school principal a signed statement that any part of the instructions in health, family life education or sex education is in conflict with his conscience, or sincerely held moral or religious beliefs will be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties as to credit or graduation will result therefrom. This bill provides that any child whose parent or guardian does not provide written consent to participate in any health, family life education, or sex education program will be excused from that portion of the course where such instruction is being given and no penalties as to credit or graduation will result.