Problems with the legislation remain, including vague prohibitions that will likely bury schools in lawsuits.
The Florida House of Representatives on Thursday passed a bill which seeks to limit discussion of gender and sexuality in public schools. However, the bill is moving forward without its most controversial amendment: a requirement that schools disclose to parents any changes in a student’s « emotional, mental, or physical » health. According to supporters of House Bill 1557—formally titled the Parental Rights in Education bill and labeled the « Don’t Say Gay » bill by critics—its purpose is primarily to support parents’ rights to prevent their children from being taught certain concepts about sexuality. « 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,' » Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said in early February. « They won’t tell the parents about these discussions that are happening. That is entirely inappropriate. Schools need to be teaching kids to read, to write. » The bill has drawn the ire of civil liberties and LGBT groups since its introduction in January, but drew national attention earlier this month when bill co-sponsor Rep. Joe Harding ( R–Williston) introduced an amendment that would have required school principals to share with parents « child-specific information personally known to the school personnel.
