HB161 – Primary and Secondary Education – Establishment of a Comprehensive Health Education Framework.
This bill would eliminate local control over curriculum decisions and remove parents’ rights to opt their children out of sensitive topics such as gender identity and sexual orientation.
The Maryland Comprehensive Health Framework covers deeply personal subjects that many parents feel should be taught at home, in line with their own values. However, HB161 would require instruction on these topics at every grade level, without allowing families to opt out.
Regardless of personal opinions, parents should have the right to decide when and how to introduce sensitive subjects to their children. HB161 undermines this right by imposing a one-size-fits-all approach on all Maryland families.
I strongly oppose HB161 and urge you to vote against this bill to protect local control, parental rights, and the ability of families to guide their children's education.
