TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Legislation moving in the Florida House would ban discussion of menstrual cycles and other human sexuality subjects in elementary grades.
The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Stan McClain would restrict public college instruction on human sexuality, sexually transmitted illnesses and related subjects to grades six by way of 12. McClain confirmed at a present committee meeting that discussions about menstrual cycles would also be restricted to these grades.
“So if tiny girls experience their menstrual cycle in 5th grade or 4th grade, will that prohibit conversations from them since they are in the grade cut down than sixth grade?” asked state Rep. Ashley Gantt, a Democrat who taught in public schools and noted that girls as young as ten can start off possessing periods.
“It would,” McClain responded.
The GOP-backed legislation cleared the House Education Outstanding Subcommittee on Wednesday by a 13-5 vote largely along celebration lines. It would also allow parents to object to books and other supplies their youngsters are exposed to, will need schools to teach that a person’s sexual identity is determined biologically at birth and set up added scrutiny of specific educational supplies by the state Division of Education.
McClain pointed out the bill’s intent is to bring uniformity to sex education across all of Florida’s 67 college districts and give added pathways for parents to object to books or other supplies they uncover inappropriate for younger youngsters.
At the committee meeting, Gantt asked regardless of regardless of whether teachers could face punishment if they speak about menstruation with younger students.
“My concern is they will not genuinely really feel protected to have these conversations with these tiny girls,” she pointed out.
McClain pointed out “that would not be the intent” of the bill and that he is “amenable” to some modifications to its language. The measure should really be authorized by a distinctive committee ahead of it can attain the House floor a associated bill is pending in the Senate.
An e-mail in search of comment was sent Saturday to the workplace of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is extensively noticed as a achievable 2024 presidential candidate.
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