DeSantis signs bill package addressing gender identity issues

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On Thursday, May 17, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a package of five bills, four of which arise from gender identity issues.

According to the governor’s office, the bills “protect Florida’s children from permanent mutilating surgical procedures, gender identity politics in schools, and attending sexually explicit adult performances.”

“Florida is proud to lead the way in standing up for our children,” said DeSantis in a media release. “As the world goes mad, Florida represents a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy.”

Here’s a look at the bills and what they do. A summary can be found at flgov.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Kids-v8.pdf.

Senate Bill 254

  • Prohibits sex change surgeries and experimental puberty blockers for children.
  • Requires adult patients who are receiving these medications or surgeries to be informed about the dangers and irreversible nature of these procedures and to give written, informed consent.
  • Provides courts temporary emergency jurisdiction to step in and halt these procedures for out-of-state children present in Florida.
  • Creates a pathway for individuals to obtain damages when they were injured or killed after receiving sex change surgeries or medications as minors.

House Bill 1069

Safeguards students and teachers from being forced to declare what pronouns they wish to be applied to them in school.

In addition, the legislation prohibits classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in pre-K through 8th grade.

House Bill 1438

Prohibits anyone from knowingly admitting a minor to a sexually explicit adult performance. The bill also authorizes the Department of Business and Professional Regulation to fine, suspend or revoke the operating or alcohol licenses of hotels or restaurants if they admit a child into such a performance.

House Bill 1521

Requires educational institutions, detention facilities, correctional institutions, juvenile correctional facilities and public buildings with a restroom or changing facility to designate separate facilities based on biological sex or to provide one-person unisex facilities.

House Bill 225

This legislation allows students in private and virtual schools, as well as home-schooled students, to take part in extracurricular activities, including sports, at public or private schools regardless of the ZIP code.

In addition, the legislation allows teams to offer brief opening remarks, including prayers, prior to any sporting event. It also reorganizes the Florida High School Athletic Association, giving the state an increased proportional role.