Florida Senate committee passes bill to include parents in gender conversation, protect young children
Article continues below
Topics: FLORIDA
The Parental Rights in Education bill, commonly referred to the "Don't Say Gay" bill by its critics, would apply to such topics in primary grade levels, as well as in cases where the discussions are deemed "not age-appropriate."
Republican state Rep. Joe Hardingsaid that it would apply to students in kindergarten through third grade
The bill, proposed by Republican State Senator Dennis Baxley, would extend to student support services, including counseling, and would require school district personnel to give parents all information related to a student's "mental, emotional or physical health or well-being," unless it's believed that such disclosure would result in abuse.
Harding: "Allow things to come up organically, but don't force conversations on them."
"At that age they need to be worried about reading and worrying about their math," he said. "For me, it's why are we sensationalizing this age to have all these questions and to force so many questions on gender on these children at that age?"
"We're talking specifically about young, elementary-age children that just don't need that stress in general," Harding added. "Allow things to come up organically, but don't force conversations on them."
Parents would be able to sue districts that do not follow these requirements.
"A parent of a student may bring an action against a 83 school district to obtain a declaratory judgment that a school 84 district procedure or practice violates this paragraph and seek 85 injunctive relief."
A court may award damages and shall award 86 reasonable attorney fees and court costs to a parent who 87 receives declaratory or injunctive relief."
The bill's purpose is to "reinforce the fundamental right of parents to make decisions regarding the upbringing and control of their children."
If Florida legislators pass the bill, it would go into effect on July 1, with all school district plans having to be updated by June 30, 2023.
"By June 30, 2023, the Department of Education 93 shall review and update, as necessary, school counseling 94 frameworks and standards; educator practices and professional 95 conduct principles; and any other student services personnel 96 guidelines, standards, or frameworks in accordance with the 97 requirements of this act."
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who supports the bill, said at a roundtable in Miami on Monday that he doesn't approve of "injecting these concepts about choosing your gender" at schools.
"We've seen instances of students being told by different folks in school, 'Oh, don't worry. Don't pick your gender yet. Do all this other stuff.' They won't tell the parents about these discussions that are happening," DeSantis said.
"That is entirely inappropriate. Schools need to be teaching kids to read, to write. They need to them them science, history. We need more civics." ■