Today, the Senate Education, Energy, & the Environment (EEE) Committee has a hearing on House Bill 161.
This bill would mandate school health curricula include age-appropriate discussion of a range of topics, like family life and human sexuality; gender identity and sexual orientation; safety and violence prevention; and safe and appropriate social media and internet use.
It's important to remember that some children live in abusive, violent, and unsupportive homes. A full curriculum, including topics addressing sensitive issues like healthy relationships and sexuality can be a lifeline for students who are in desperate need of of help.
Some schools in Maryland are refusing to provide students with this important information, and are even banning emotionally supportive symbols, including rainbows. Depriving children of support at school only makes them more vulnerable.
HB161 would require schools to teach these topics and stop parents from opting their child out of age-appropriate education on sexual orientation and gender identity. This bill would ensure Maryland’s students receive critical, age-appropriate education.
Send rainbows to the EEE Committee and ask them to support HB161 in order to educate and protect Maryland’s children - all students deserve a safe and welcoming education.
MARYLAND SENATE EDUCATION, ENERGY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
Leadership:
Brian Feldman, Chair (District 15, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3169 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3169
[email protected]
Cheryl Kagan, Vice Chair (District 17, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3134 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3134
[email protected]
Members:
Anne Arundel County
Bryan Simonaire (District 31)
Phone: 410-841-3658 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3658
[email protected]
Baltimore County
Benjamin Brooks (District 10)
Phone: 410-841-3606 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3606
[email protected]
Baltimore City
Dalya Attar (District 41)
Phone: 410-841-3697 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3697
[email protected]
Baltimore City & Baltimore County
Mary Washington (District 43)
Phone: 410-841-3145 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3145
[email protected]
Harford & Cecil Counties
Jason Gallion (District 35)
Phone: 410-841-3603 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3603
[email protected]
Howard & Montgomery Counties
Katie Fry Hester (District 9)
Phone: 410-841-3671 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3671
[email protected]
Prince George's County
Malcolm Augustine (District 47)
Phone: 410-841-3745 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3745
[email protected]
Ron Watson (District 23)
Phone: 410-841-3631 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3631
[email protected]
Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico Counties
Mary Beth Carozza (District 38)
Phone: 410-841-7122 | 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3645
[email protected]
