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PREP Act is good for kids, parents

Much misinformation is being spread about SB 1619, the Illinois Personal Responsibility Education Program, Illinois-PREP Act. This legislation aims to reduce unintended pregnancy, STI’s and HIV/AIDS among youth. Here are the facts:

SB 1619 is not a mandate. It requires that IF a public school chooses to teach sex education, THEN the program must be medically accurate and developmentally and age appropriate. It does not apply to private or religious schools.

SB 1619 stresses abstinence. It requires that course material and instruction “stress that abstinence is the ensured method of avoiding unintended pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS.”

SB 1619 respects marriage. It does not change the current law that states: “Course material and instruction shall teach honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage.”

SB 1619 respects parents. Parents can remove their children from sexual health education courses for any reason. Students cannot be penalized in any way if their parents remove them from a class.

SB 1619 prohibits bias. By requiring courses to be free from bias in accordance with the Illinois Human Rights Act, it makes sure that no group is demonized or stereotyped. This provision is not an attempt to promote a particular lifestyle.

SB 1619 applies only to grades 6 through 12.

Illinois-PREP is good for young people in Illinois, it is good for parents and it is good educational policy.

Mary Ewert

Crystal Lake