THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 8, 2024 Page 3 Sen. Lewis and Mass. Senate pass ‘Healthy Youth Act’ Special to Th e Advocate O n February 29, 2024, Senator Jason Lewis joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate to pass S.2694, An Act relative to healthy youth – also called the Healthy Youth Act – which would ensure that Massachusetts public schools electing to teach sexual health education curriculum use age-appropriate, inclusive, medically accurate and research-based information on sex, relationships and consent. On March 4 the House referred the bill to its committee on Ways and Means. The Healthy Youth Act would enhance parental rights and codify into law the voluntary health curriculum framework approved by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) last year. It calls for sex and relationship education to be inclusive and appropriate for students regardless of gender, race, disability status, sexual orientation and gender identity. “Providing comprehensive, Jason Lewis State Senator age-appropriate, and medically accurate sex and relationship education to our youth is the best way to prepare them to make safe and healthy choices,” said Senator Lewis, who is Senate Chair of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Education. “I’m pleased that the Senate is continuing to advance this legislation that ensures that Massachusetts public schools use research-informed curricula that prioritize inclusivity and the health and well-being of all students.” Ensuring that Massachusetts public schools use a research-informed curriculum that provides medically accurate, age-appropriate and comprehensive sexual health information would protect young people from inaccurate or misleading information. It will also help young people to develop healthy relationships, both with friends and romantic partners, emphasizing that relationships should always be free of coercion, intimidation, abuse and violence. The Healthy Youth Act would ensure that sex ed curricula are inclusive of all sexual orientations and gender identities. This is especially important given the right-wing attacks on the LGBTQ+ community here in Massachusetts and around the country. Lastly, the Healthy Youth Act would require DESE to collect data on sex and relationship education taught in public schools, and also ensure that going forward the health curriculum framework is updated no less frequently than every 10 years. Upcoming Malden Reads Film Screening at Malden Public Library Wed., March 13, 6:00-8:15 p.m. pro wrestler, a man who has Down syndrome befriends an outlaw who becomes his coach and ally.” The fi lm is Rated PG-13 (97 minutes – 95% on Rotten Tomatoes). Light refreshments will be Malden Reads Film Screening ; The Peanut Butter Falcon P lease join us for the Malden Reads Film Screening of the 2019 film “The Peanut Butter Falcon.” We will be showing this fi lm at the Malden Public Library on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 6:00-8:15 p.m. We will also be showing a 15-minute preview of the excellent disability rights documentary “Lives Worth Living.” These films are part of Malden Reads’ 2024 season of events for the book “Being Heumann: an Unrepentant Memoir of a Disability Rights Activist,” by Judith Heumann. You can pick up a copy of the “Being Heumann” at the Malden Public Library. “The Peanut Butter Falcon”: “After running away from a residential nursing home to pursue his dream of becoming a served. This event is co-sponsored by Malden Reads and the Malden Public Library. For more details about Malden Reads Film Screening events, please contact the Malden Public Library at 781-324-0218. Advertise in Print or Online, reach thousands of readers by calling 617-387-2200. Mid-grade Regular $3.88 98 64 87 Over 45 Years of Excellence! Full Service $3.47 Order online at angelosoil.com 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 Open Daily 4:00 PM Closed Sunday Announcing our Classic Specials Dine In Only: * FREE Salad with purchase of Entree, Monday & Tuesdays * Cheese Pizza - Only $10 Catch ALL The Live Sports Action On Our Large Screen TV’s SHOP LOCAL & DROP BY FOR DINNER! www.eight10barandgrille.com
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