Signed by Governor Bill Lee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires schools to notify parents when teaching about sexual or gender orientation and allows parents to opt their children out of instruction.

Highlights:

• Defines "gender identity" to have the same meaning as provided in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) (Sec. 2).

• Defines "sexual orientation" as an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual (Sec. 2).

• Requires not less than 30 days before commencing instruction of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum, regardless of whether the curriculum is offered as part of a family life program, sex education program, or other programs, each LEA or public charter school to notify the parent or guardian of each student whom the LEA or charter school anticipates will be present for instruction in the curriculum that (Sec. 1.a):

• The LEA or charter school is providing a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum; and

• The parent or guardian may examine the instructional materials and confer with the student's instructor, school counselor, or principal, as designated by the LEA or public charter school, regarding any or all portions of the curriculum.

• Authorizes a parent or guardian who wishes to excuse the parent's or guardian's student from any portion of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum must submit a request in writing to the student's instructor, school counselor, or principal (Sec. 1.b).

• Specifies an LEA or public charter school is not required to notify a student's parent or guardian before a teacher, principal, or other school personnel for the following (Sec. 1.c):

• Responding to a question from a student during class regarding sexual orientation or gender identity as it relates to any topic of instruction; or

• Referring to the sexual orientation or gender identity of any historic person, group, or public figure, where the referral provides a necessary context concerning a topic of instruction.

• Prohibits an LEA or public charter school from being required to provide a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum (Sec. 1.d).

• Specifies "instruction of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum" includes distributing materials, administering tests, surveys, or questionnaires, or instruction of any kind related to sexual orientation or gender identity (Sec. 1.e).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires schools to notify parents when teaching about sexual or gender orientation and allows parents to opt their children out of instruction.

Highlights:

• Defines "gender identity" to have the same meaning as provided in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5) (Sec. 2).

• Defines "sexual orientation" as an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation as heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual (Sec. 2).

• Requires not less than 30 days before commencing instruction of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum, regardless of whether the curriculum is offered as part of a family life program, sex education program, or other programs, each LEA or public charter school to notify the parent or guardian of each student whom the LEA or charter school anticipates will be present for instruction in the curriculum that (Sec. 1.a):

• The LEA or charter school is providing a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum; and

• The parent or guardian may examine the instructional materials and confer with the student's instructor, school counselor, or principal, as designated by the LEA or public charter school, regarding any or all portions of the curriculum.

• Authorizes a parent or guardian who wishes to excuse the parent's or guardian's student from any portion of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum must submit a request in writing to the student's instructor, school counselor, or principal (Sec. 1.b).

• Specifies an LEA or public charter school is not required to notify a student's parent or guardian before a teacher, principal, or other school personnel for the following (Sec. 1.c):

• Responding to a question from a student during class regarding sexual orientation or gender identity as it relates to any topic of instruction; or

• Referring to the sexual orientation or gender identity of any historic person, group, or public figure, where the referral provides a necessary context concerning a topic of instruction.

• Prohibits an LEA or public charter school from being required to provide a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum (Sec. 1.d).

• Specifies "instruction of a sexual orientation curriculum or gender identity curriculum" includes distributing materials, administering tests, surveys, or questionnaires, or instruction of any kind related to sexual orientation or gender identity (Sec. 1.e).

Full Bill Text