The bill would allow students to opt-out of the classes.
(AP) _
Nebraska lawmakers listened to a heated debate on whether to mandate sexual education classes.
A committee heard more than two hours of testimony on Tuesday on a measure that would require school districts to offer sex education in the classroom. The bill would allow students to opt-out of the classes.
Bill opponents expressed concerns about a provision in that bill that would prohibit teachers from promoting bias in the curriculum against sexual orientation, gender identity and sexually active students.
Karen Bowling of Nebraska Family Council says this part of the bill goes beyond sexual education and disregards religious beliefs.
Supporters of the bill say students need to be provided age-appropriate and medically accurate information about sex and how to prevent sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.
