Bill would require Neb. schools to provide sex ed

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The soaring rate of sexually transmitted diseases in Douglas County has led one Omaha lawmaker to introduce a measure that would require Nebraska schools to offer sex education classes.

State Sen. Brenda Council, of Omaha, introduced the bill (LB192) on Friday.

She says Douglas County, which includes Omaha, has among the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases in the country, and that is "unacceptable."

The bill would require all school districts to provide age-appropriate and medically accurate sex education starting in the 2012-13 school year. It would include abstinence instruction, as well as information on contraceptives and the risks of sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.

A student would be excused from participating in the class if the student's parent or guardian provided a written request to the school.