Todd Rokita fights to uphold ban on schools teaching sex ed to grades K-3

‘This is a good law that represents Hoosier common sense’

February 25, 2024

In federal appeals court today, Attorney General Todd Rokita’s team defended the constitutionality of an Indiana law prohibiting schools from teaching human sexuality to children in grades kindergarten through third grade.

“Human sexuality being taught to students by their teachers is questionable at any age,” Attorney General Rokita said. “The fact that this is taught to children who are still learning how to spell and how to do basic math is reprehensible. That simple reality should be obvious to anyone. This is a good law that represents Hoosier common sense and respects parents’ roles in raising their children.”

An elementary teacher from Indianapolis Public Schools has challenged the law, claiming among other things that it violates her First Amendment rights.

“Teachers in our public schools don’t have a First Amendment right to teach whatever they want,” Attorney General Rokita said. “This type of class no longer focuses on biology – it’s now based on ideology. This is why parents should be the ones to help guide their children through this difficult stage.”

Trying another tact, the teacher also claims in her lawsuit that the law uses overly vague terminology. The law, however, contains the same language used in other Indiana laws that have been enforced for years without challenge.