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JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — The Latest on legislation that would limit who could teach sex education in Alaska public schools (all times local):
4:45 p.m.
Legislation that would restrict who could teach sex education in public schools is becoming law without Gov. Bill Walker's signature.
Walker faced a Thursday deadline to make a decision about the bill, which critics said would make it more difficult for public school students to receive comprehensive sex education. He had three options: sign it, veto it or let it take effect without his signature. He chose the latter.
Walker called his decision a close call.
In a letter to House Speaker Mike Chenault, Walker said the bill may not be perfect but he said the potential advantages to school districts overall should be given a chance to work.
Walker called the sex education piece misunderstood and said he believes the transparency offered by the bill will be beneficial.
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12:40 p.m.
Thursday marked the deadline for Gov. Bill Walker to decide what to do with legislation containing provisions that critics say would make it more difficult for public school students to receive comprehensive sex education.
Walker had three options: he could sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature.
The bill, passed by state lawmakers in May, dealt with parental involvement in education, greater local control and student testing. Perhaps the most contentious elements involved sex education.
The bill calls for sex ed to be taught by certified teachers under contract with a given school or someone under a teacher's supervision approved by the local school board and whose credentials parents can review.
Those provisions were added following heated debate over separate, stalled proposals that would have barred Planned Parenthood from teaching sex education in schools.
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