OKLAHOMA CITY – Rep. Terry O'Donnell, R-Catoosa, today passed a bill in the House Common Education Committee that would prohibit classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-5. Any classroom instruction on these topics in grades 6-12 must be age appropriate for students.

"This speaks directly to the heart of a parent's fundamental right to have a say over the sex education their child receives in school," O'Donnell said. "Parents are more in tune with their child than any other person, and they alone should be having these discussions with their children at these young ages."

House Bill 2546 specifies that classroom instruction by school personnel or third parties on sexual orientation or gender identity shall not occur in kindergarten through grade five or in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate for students.

O'Donnell said other states are pursuing similar legislation and it has the support of parents. His bill does not prohibit sex education courses in older grades, but parents do have the option of opting out their child from such instruction.

HB 2546 is now eligible to be considered by the full House