A Statement from Center for Arizona Policy President, Cathi Herrod, Esq.

Three weeks after Governor Ducey vetoed SB 1456, the Arizona Senate passed a new version of the parental rights bill, sending it to the House for consideration.

Senators passed HB 2035 today along party lines with a vote of 16-13-1. The new bill addresses concerns raised by the Governor in his veto letter and codifies his Executive Order, ensuring age-appropriate sexual abuse prevention can still be taught in younger grades.

HB 2035 is a commonsense, balanced approach to addressing concerns from parents about sex education in the public schools. It does not dictate curriculum nor prohibit school districts from offering sex education in grades 5-12. It simply ensures parents have the final say in whether their children will attend such sensitive instruction.

As with the original SB 1456 and the Executive Order, HB 2035 requires district and charter schools to make the sex education curricula available for parents’ review both online and in person. The schools must also notify parents where to find the sex ed curricula at least two weeks before any instruction is offered, and it doesn’t allow for sex education instruction through fourth grade.

Currently, parents have to provide written consent for their child to attend sex education classes. HB 2035 would require the same for any sexuality-related instruction.

Parents have the fundamental right and responsibility to direct the education and upbringing of their own children. HB 2035 recognizes that right and closes loopholes that previously left parents out of the process in many ways. 

Call your representatives and ask them to vote YES on HB 2035!

Find the contact information for your representatives here.

Find who your representatives are here.

Thank you for your engagement on this issue.