Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo said she is considering expanding the state’s “Parental Rights in Education” law to additional grade levels in schools.
Gov. Ron DeSantis in March signed into law House Bill 1557, which critics labeled the “Don’t Say Gay” bill, amid a controversy that centered mainly on a provision that bars classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.
Also, the law requires that such instruction be “age-appropriate … in accordance with state academic standards” in higher grades.
Passidomo, R-Naples, told reporters Thursday that she would consider expanding the law to bar instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in additional grades, going up to middle school students, according to News4JAX sister station WKMG-TV.
“The one thing that I think could be looked at is, we ended it at grades one through three. I don’t think I’d be supportive of high school, because kids in high school are hopefully a little bit more mature, at least they should be. But, you know, the middle school, maybe going to sixth grade or something like that,” Passidomo said.
Opponents have argued the law, which has been challenged in federal court, chills educators’ ability to discuss sensitive topics with students and removes teachers as a lifeline for vulnerable LGBTQ youth. The law’s Republican supporters, however, billed it as a way for parents to have more control over what their children encounter in the classroom.
“I really believe, and I’m a parent — of course, my kids are older — I want to know what’s going on in schools. And I want to be able to be consulted,” Passidomo said last week.
The law also has served as a basis for the State Board of Education to scrutinize LGBTQ support guides in 10 school districts. A meeting of the state board Wednesday revealed that the districts are in various stages of revising the support guides, and in some cases have discontinued use of the documents.
On Tuesday, News4JAX spoke with Passidomo by phone about the proposal to include more grades in the law.
“Members of the Senate would like to file a bill,” Passidomo said. “I would not be averse to expanding the Parental Rights in Education Bill, but not to high school age students.”
Former Democratic state Sen. Audrey Gibson said the proposal is just as controversial as the law.
″And it’s not about party, it’s about the individuals who are impacted, right? So to try to ostracize anyone because of gender identification is just wrong,” Gibson said. “And the bill continues to create division, and that really is the goal.”
Gibson said the title of the existing law is misleading because parents already have the absolute right to have a say in their child’s education. Passidomo, however, said the language in the existing law allows for reconsideration of all classroom instruction based on what the Legislature deems as age appropriate.
“I just want to make sure that people understand the fallacy of grooming or impacting a young person to be male or female or not. That is so far from the truth, and that we focus on the real issues of educating our students, and treating our teachers with respect, and paying them a salary that they’re due,” Gibson said.
News4JAX viewers are weighing in on expanding the law, as well.
One wrote: “I think it’s BS. Public schools should be inclusive. Children need to be taught a real education to prepare them for the world.”
John Dunnigan wrote: “The Parental Rights in Education law should apply to K to 12.”
One Insider wrote: “Personally, I see NO valid reason to bring the topic of sex up at all. What happened to polite conversation where major social issues were taboo? No need to mention 2 Mommies, or 2 Daddies. Some children have NO Daddies. Let it all go. Focus on education like Math, Science, Reading, Writing, etc.”
Gibson said, in her opinion, talking about sexuality in schools doesn’t influence students or groom them.
“I just want to make sure that people understand the fallacy of grooming or impacting a young person to be male or female or not. That is so far from the truth, and that we focus on the real issues of educating our students, and treating our teachers with respect, and paying them a salary that they’re due,” Gibson said.
Passidomo did not say specifically which senators are pushing for the proposal. It will likely come up for discussion when lawmakers return to Tallahassee after the new year.
What do you think about the possibility of the Parental Rights in Education law expanding to additional school grade levels? Let us know in the form below.