NASHVILLE, Tenn.—A proposal that would have banned teaching about homosexuality in public schools failed in a Tennessee House subcommittee mainly because state officials say it’s not necessary.

Members of the House Education K-12 Subcommittee voted Feb. 19 to allow the Tennessee Board of Education to examine the bill sponsored by Rep. Stacey Campfield.

“That’s just another way to kill it,” the Knoxville Republican said. “It’s dead.”

The bill would prohibit “the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality in public school.”

Campfield said he proposed the measure after receiving complaints from parents that two schools were advocating homosexuality. Campfield refused when asked by lawmakers to provide the names of the schools.

Bruce Opie, legislative director for the Tennessee Department of Education, told lawmakers he didn’t know of any state curriculum that involved teaching about homosexuality.

“When I saw the bill, I asked, ‘Where’s the problem?’” Opie said. “I know nowhere in the state where this is going on.”

Jerry Winters, spokesman for the Tennessee Education Association, agreed.

“He’s trying to solve a problem that’s just not out there,” said Winters, adding that TEA is opposed to any legislation that mandates curriculum.