Additional opposition to HB 2620 was voiced by residents, state officials, and students during the committee hearing on February 18, 2014. School district representatives from across the state provided their experiences on dealing with concerns from parents regarding sexuality education, such as in Blue Valley, where school officials said they work with parents to modify curriculum if something is found offensive. A spokesperson from Blue Valley also said that so few parents choose to opt their students out of sexuality education instruction, that it is not even being tracked.[3] There was also concern expressed at the hearing from college students from the University of Kansas, Wichita State University, and Emporia State University. The student from Wichita State University commented that the bill would likely make it more difficult for students to get information on sexual health, and thought “decisions on sex education curriculum should be made by local school boards rather than the Legislature.”[4] The Committee on Education also heard from Mark Desetti, lobbyist from the Kansas National Education Association, who testified that Kansas school district’s sexuality education materials—such as curricula used and opt-out forms—are available for parents to request. He continued by stating that; “the real problem is not that the materials aren’t there for parents, but rather that parents are not asking to see them.”[5]

After 90 minutes of debate on February 24, 2014, the House Committee on Education made significant changes to HB 2620, reversing the requirement from an opt-in policy to an opt-out policy. Legislators indicated that “they understood parental concerns but feel some students who need sex education won't receive proper information any other place.”[6] While the final vote to move the bill out of committee was scheduled for February 25, 2014, Chairwoman Kasha Kelley cancelled the hearing stating, “there was still work to be done on the changes to the bill.”[7] The Senate bill awaits a hearing.