Senators approved a bill imposing new requirements for sex education in state schools Tuesday, requiring comprehensive courses that go beyond demanding abstinence. The bill would allow parents to keep their children out of the broader classes.

The bill's backers contend youths need more information than the birds and bees equivalent of "just say no," rattling off statistics about teen pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease to bolster their case.

"We need to make sure they're getting good information," said Sen. Malcolm Graham, a Charlotte Democrat, "not from the Internet, not from radio, not from television."

Critics have charged that current law gives local school systems plenty of latitude to provide comprehensive sex education and some already do. They warn that the legislation opens the door for instruction on mutual masturbation, sexual activity short of intercourse and families with two mothers or two fathers.

The Senate voted 25 to 21, and the bill now goes back to the House to agree or reject changes made by the Senate.