JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Duval County School Board on Monday night voted 7-0 in favor of a policy requiring employees to notify the parents of a student if there’s a change in that student’s support services.
That includes if the student wants to change their name or gender pronoun.
The policy change was unanimous among board members, who said it brings the district into compliance with the Parental Rights in Education Law, which critics have dubbed the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. But it sparked debate among some parents and activists.
The procedures guide reads in part:
“The State of Florida has determined that it is a fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their minor children. The State has further determined that certain information relating to a minor child should not be withheld, either inadvertently or purposefully, from their parent, including information relating to the minor child’s health, well-being, and education, while the minor child is in the custody of the school district.”
The document states that the board is required to notify a parent if there’s a change in the student’s services or monitoring related to the student’s mental, emotional, or physical health or well-being and the school’s ability to provide a safe and supportive learning environment for the student.
“Further, district personnel are required to encourage students to discuss issues relating to his or her well-being with his or her parent or to try and facilitate discussion of the issue with the parent,” the policy reads.
Importantly, the law only required parental notification, not parental consent. This comes after the Duval County School Board approved a massive overhaul to its LGBTQ+ support guide.
It has also scrubbed videos and other materials from its website, having to do with LGBTQ+ resources and guidance.
As News4JAX has reported, advocates say the new policy could be harmful to LGBTQ+ students, who say the policy could make them feel as though they can’t disclose certain things. Opponents say this will particularly impact the students who feel that they are not accepted for their identity at home -- with many worrying that the rules will increase mental health problems for LGBTQ young people.
Supporters of the policy say it provides more assurance that parents can control the upbringing of their children.
The new law took effect on July 1, so the district’s changes Monday night will take immediate effect.