Downloads
CS/CS/HB 1069 — Education
by Education and Employment Committee; Education Quality Subcommittee; and Reps. McClain, Anderson, and others (CS/SB 1320 by Education Pre-K -12 Committee and Senators Yarborough and Perry)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Education Pre-K -12 Committee (ED)
The bill includes provisions designed to protect children in public schools. The bill includes requirements for age-appropriate and developmentally appropriate instruction for all students in prekindergarten through grade 12. The bill:
- Includes requirements for specific terminology and instruction relative to health and reproductive education in schools and requires that all materials used for such instruction be approved by the Department of Education.
- Extends the prohibition on classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity to prekindergarten through grade 8.
The bill prohibits district school boards from imposing or enforcing requirements that personnel or students be referenced with pronouns that do not correspond with biological sex as defined in the bill, subject to specified exceptions.
The bill enhances the process for transparency and review of library and classroom materials available to students in public schools and the process for parents to limit student access to materials and make objections to materials. The bill requires the suspension of materials alleged to contain pornography or obscene depictions of sexual conduct, as identified in current law, pending resolution of an objection to the material. A district school board must also discontinue the use of any material the board does not allow a parent to read aloud.
The bill requires that meetings of committees to resolve objections must be noticed and open to the public, and provides an appeals process through a special magistrate.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2023.
Vote: Senate 27-12; House 77-35