The Washington Legislature passed an important bill this past session that will require each public school in our state to teach comprehensive, science-based physical and sex education grades 1-12.

This was a bipartisan effort with members of both parties spending many hours making sure this bill would help students know their rights and know where to get answers to their questions along with fact-based counseling.

Senate Bill 5395 does not promote sexual activity among tweens and teens but presents them with factually based information in a manner appropriate to their age.

There is a referendum circulating that might be on November’s ballot.

It would repeal Senate Bill 5395, even though our Legislature passed this bill with a strong majority and the governor supported and signed it.

We would have to go through another round of lobbying for comprehensive sex education for our youth in the coming session.

I urge you to decline to sign the petitions circulating now.

Washington’s youth deserve factual, comprehensive health education.

Their futures depend upon it.

Linda Martin

Port Townsend