Cumbersome sex-ed law needs to go

Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and his fellow Republican legislators often trumpet their efforts to cut so-called governmental red tape — eliminating roadblocks that stand in the way of efficiency. Reducing the number of unnecessary and cumbersome hurdles is generally a good thing.

Unfortunately, a new law approved by the governor in 2021 accomplished the exact opposite.

With the passage of Senate Bill 99, all Montana schools and grade levels are required to notify parents when classes or events on human sexuality will be taught or held. According to SB 99, human sexuality includes “intimate relationships, human sexual anatomy, sexual reproduction, sexually transmitted infections, sexual acts, sexual orientation, gender identity, abstinence, contraception, or reproductive rights and responsibilities.”

The poorly conceived law — a product of the culture wars that divide the nation today — was written and approved without much consideration given to how it will actually impact educators and students in the classroom.

For example, according to a Kaiser Health News report, school administrators in Billings sent a notice to parents of high school students at the beginning of the school year that flagged literary works such as “The Great Gatsby” and “Romeo and Juliet” because they describe intimate relationships.

The report also notes that Kalispell schools determined that the law “applied to health classes; science lessons that involve anatomy, genetics, or reproduction; advanced psychology courses whose curriculum includes human development; certain social sciences classes; and many more.”

Schools are also consulting with attorneys and “combing through material for any mention of the topics that fall under the law’s definition of human sexuality,” the Kaiser story continues.

“There really is no end to what might be considered given the broad definition that came out of the state Legislature,” said Micah Hill, Kalispell’s superintendent.

This is ridiculous. What a massive waste of time and resources for Montana’s already strapped school systems. Is this really how our top-paid administrators should be spending their time?

If the Montana Republican supermajority really cares about cutting red tape, this law will be the first to go when the legislative session begins next month.