S-0419.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 5167

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By Senators Stevens, Zarelli, Hochstatter and Schow

Read first time 01/17/97.  Referred to Committee on Education.

Prohibiting schools from presenting homosexuality as positive, normal behavior.

    AN ACT Relating to prohibiting schools from presenting homosexuality as positive, normal behavior; adding a new section to chapter 28A.150 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 28A.150 RCW to read as follows:

    The legislature finds that the duty of all teachers to endeavor to impress on the minds of their pupils the principles of morality and truth and to teach them to avoid profanity and falsehood, as required in RCW 28A.405.030, is an indispensable prerequisite for providing a sound education and for maintaining a virtuous and ethical society.

    The legislature further finds that there is a legitimate and compelling state interest in ensuring the sincerely held values and beliefs of most parents regarding homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality, or transvestism are not denigrated or denied by the public schools and that homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality, or transvestism are not presented, promoted, or approved as positive, normal behavior.

    A school, through an employee, volunteer, guest, or other instrumentality, may not present, promote, or approve homosexuality, bisexuality, transsexuality, or transvestism, and any such conduct, act, practice, or relationship, as positive, normal behavior, as acceptable, legitimate conduct, or as a natural, alternative lifestyle.

    As used in this section, "school" means a common school of the state of Washington.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  The provisions of this act are to be liberally construed to effectuate the policies and purposes of this act.  In the event of conflict between this act and any other provision of law, the provisions of this act shall govern.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.  If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.  This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, morals, or safety, or the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.

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