The Italian Senate has voted overwhelmingly to make parental consent necessary for any lessons or projects related to sexuality in Italy’s schools that go beyond core requirements.

Pro Vita & ​Famiglia, a Catholic lay ⁠group, welcomed the measure, saying parents “will be able to learn about, identify ​and ⁠reject in advance inappropriate projects that promote gender fluidity, abortion, surrogate motherhood and an ideological vision of sexuality among minors“.

The Act makes education about respect, relationships, and empathy mandatory in civics classes in all grades of school while science classes will teach the biology of sex.

Moreover, in Italy’s tripartite division of education into elementary, middle and high schools, the latter two (roughly equivalent to ages 11-18) will teach the prevention of risks from sexually transmitted diseases.

Beyond this core education, the new regulations ban any further activities related to sexuality in elementary schools.

Middle and high schools must provide families with at least one week’s notice before any such activities are scheduled to take place, and schools must disclose the identities of any third-party organisations or guest speakers invited to deliver the material.