SPRINGFIELD – Schools that teach sex education would be required to include a lesson about the risks of sexting under a measure sponsored by State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford), which passed committee Tuesday.

“The last time this curriculum was updated, technology was not as advanced as it is today,” Stadelman said. “This measure would modernize our state’s education standards to include sexting so our children know the long-term effects and consequences of what may seem like a harmless act.”

The measure would require schools that offer a sex education course or unit to modify their current curricula to include an age-appropriate lesson on sexting and its potential consequences.

“Students need to know about the real-life consequences of sexting,” Stadelman said. “How do we expect them to make an informed decision if they aren’t taught the dangers of sending or sharing sexually explicit messages?”

The measure was introduced by State Representative Maurice West (D-Rockford), Stadelman’s counterpart in the Illinois House of Representatives.

House Bill 24 passed the Senate Education Committee with a vote of 10-5 and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.