Ohio budget bill bans teaching 'gateway sexual activity' in sex-ed

The Ohio House Finance Committee on Tuesday approved a budget that prohibits teachers from condoning “gateway sexual activity,” according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Although the state has already prohibited teachers from condoning sex before marriage, the new provision limits sex education teachers further. It prohibits teachers from discussing "gateway sexual activity," which is defined as any sort of sensual touching.

The budget bill goes on to prohibit distributing certain materials, conducting demonstrations with “sexual stimulation” devices, or distributing contraception. Teachers are allowed to provide information on contraceptives in general, but only if they emphasize that abstinence is the only way to prevent sexually transmitted disease.

If any students receive instruction condoning "any gateway sexual activity or health message that encourages students to experiment with sexual activity," the budget allows parents to sue schools for damages and a court may impose a civil fine of up to $5,000.

The panel also defeated Democratic attempts to restore a budget provision that funds Planned Parenthood. De-funding the controversial group is currently the primary legislative goal of Ohio Right to Life.

“This provision does nothing to provide more women with health care,” said Stephanie Kight, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, in a release. “Instead, it shifts family planning money away from specialists in reproductive health care to give it to other agencies," she said, referring to controversial pregnancy centers.