01/10/2006

Legislation Gives Unrestrained Power to State Superintendent Concerning Pro-Homosexual Curriculum

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Jan. 9 /Christian Newswire/ -- Last week AB 606 (D-Levine) was gutted and amended to permit the state superintendent to withhold state funds if a school district fails to create policies on how to combat discrimination and harassment against homosexuals.

The superintendent may also withhold funds if a school district fails to increase awareness, prevent, and ensure appropriate responses to incidences of discrimination or harassment.

AB 606 would also force school curriculum to contain pro-homosexual instruction. Current provisions in the law exempting pro-homosexual curriculum from the classroom would be repealed under AB 606.

"All violence on school campus is unacceptable, schools should be able to deal with specific incidences of violence without being required to indoctrinate children that homosexuality is acceptable," said Karen England of Capitol Resource Institute.

"It is outrageous that AB 606 would permit Jack O'Connell to arbitrarily withhold funds from a school district if he happens to think they are not adequately promoting pro-homosexual sentiment on a particular campus," said England. "This is too much power for one elected official. It should be up to the courts to determine whether the conduct of a school board is in compliance with state law. "

"Under AB 606, a school board's hands will be completely tied. They will have to either completely cater to the state superintendent's whim or decide to go without funding for education in order to fight for their policy."

Capitol Resource Institute is opposed to expanding pro-homosexual curriculum in our public schools because it infringes upon parental rights and the sincerely held religious convictions of both parents and students.

Read AB 606 online at: http ://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/bill/asm/ab_0601- 0650/ab_606_bill_20060104_amended_asm.html