Hassan Vetoes Bill on Parental Notice of Sexual Topics

Gov. Maggie Hassan says a bill that would require schools to give parents two weeks' notice before using sexually explicit material in class would make it harder for young people to receive public health education or study important literature.

Hassan stated her concerns with the bill Friday after she vetoed it. The bill says either a school district or teacher must give parents advance notice before using course material around human sexuality or sex education.

She says the bill is unnecessary because schools already have to allow exceptions to certain course material in cases of parental objection. Hassan is also raising concerns that the bill would create a stigma around sex education in schools and could keep students from learning about contraception or sexually transmitted diseases.