SB 1002
Initials DC/GG Page 1 House Engrossed
ARIZONA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Fifty-seventh Legislature
First Regular Session
Senate: ED DP 4-2-1-0 | 3
rd
Read 17-12-1-0
House: RO DP 3-2-0-0
SB1002: pronouns; biological sex; school policies
Sponsor: Senator Kavanagh, LD 3
House Engrossed
Overview
Prohibits a school district or charter school (public school) employee or independent
contractor (employee) from knowingly addressing a student by a pronoun that differs from
the one that aligns with the student's biological sex or a first name that differs from the
student's official school records without parental permission.
History
A person enrolling a pupil for the first time in a particular school district or private school
must provide a certified copy of the pupil's birth certificate or other reliable proof of the pupil's
identity and age. The submitted documentation must be photocopied and placed in the pupil's
school file. The school district or school must enroll the pupil using the name printed on the
pupil's birth certificate or other proof, but the pupil may be called by any name the guardian
wishes (A.R.S. § 15-828).
All parental rights are exclusively reserved to a minor child's parent without obstruction or
interference from any governmental entity or institution. The Parents' Bill of Rights details
parental rights, including the right to: 1) direct a minor child's education; 2) access and
review all records relating to the minor child; and 3) direct the upbringing and moral or
religious training of the minor child. A governmental entity or institution may not infringe
on these rights unless there is a compelling governmental interest that meets specified
criteria (A.R.S. §§ 1-601, 1-602).
A similar bill was introduced in the 56
th Legislature, 1
st Regular Session, and was vetoed by
the Governor (SB 1001 pronouns; biological sex; school policies).
Provisions
1. Prohibits public school employees without written parental permission to knowingly
address, identify or refer to an underage student by:
a) a pronoun that differs from the one that aligns with the student's biological sex; or
b) a first or middle name other than the ones listed on the student's official school
records. (Sec. 1)
2. Authorizes employees to address, identify or refer to a student by a nickname commonly
associated with the student's name of record. (Sec. 1)
3. Stipulates that if contrary to their religious or moral convictions, employees may not be
required to address, identify or refer to a person by a pronoun that differs from the one
that aligns with the person's biological sex. (Sec. 1)
☐ Prop 105 (45 votes) ☐ Prop 108 (40 votes) ☐ Emergency (40 votes) ☐ Fiscal Note SB 1002
Initials DC/GG Page 2 House Engrossed
4. Instructs school district governing boards or charter school governing bodies to adopt
policies to implement these procedures and prohibitions. (Sec. 1)
5. Allows employees to discuss matters of public concern outside the confines of their official
duties. (Sec. 1)