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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah Gov. Gary Herbert says he doesn't oppose multi-track sex education classes in state schools as long as students have parental permission to hear the information.
Utah lawmakers held a public hearing Wednesday on a proposal to split sex education into two tracks: one that teaches abstinence and one that promotes it, but includes information about contraception. The second requires parental permission. Parents could also opt kids out of both courses.
Currently, contraception can be taught, but not advocated in sex education courses, leading some teachers to avoid the topic.
At a news conference Thursday, Herbert said parents should teach their kids about sex. But he says he has "no problem" with school-based programs if parental permission is granted.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
