Relating to local school health advisory councils and instruction regarding human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity provided by public schools.
Impact
The implications of SB983 are significant, as it directly affects the curriculum choices available to educators regarding human sexuality. By imposing restrictions on sexual orientation and gender identity instruction, the bill seeks to align school policies with certain values and beliefs held by segments of the community. It also requires school boards to adopt written policies regarding the communication between staff members and students concerning reproductive and sexual health matters, reinforcing a structured approach to these discussions in a manner consistent with the law.
Summary
SB983 aims to restrict the instruction of sexual orientation and gender identity in public schools for prekindergarten through 12th grade. The bill prohibits school districts and charter schools from providing or allowing any third-party instruction, guidance, or programming regarding these topics. This legislation is framed within the broader context of education policy, particularly focusing on how local school health councils operate and the kinds of curriculum and instruction they are allowed to offer. It emphasizes parental control and school district autonomy in matters of personal and sensitive education topics.
Contention
SB983 has sparked considerable debate among legislators and community members. Proponents argue that the bill protects children from exposure to concepts they believe are inappropriate for their age, and it empowers parents to have greater oversight over their children's education. Conversely, opponents see the bill as a form of censorship that limits educators' ability to address important social issues that affect student well-being, potentially leading to a lack of support for LGBTQ+ students. This tension reflects broader societal divisions over sexual orientation and gender identity discussions in educational settings.
Identical
Relating to local school health advisory councils and instruction regarding human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity provided by public schools.
Relating to local school health advisory councils and instruction regarding human sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity provided by public schools.
Relating to parental rights in public education and prohibiting instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity for certain public school students.
Relating to parental rights in public education and prohibiting instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity for public school students; authorizing a civil remedy.
Relating to parental rights in public education and prohibiting certain instruction regarding sexual orientation or gender identity; authorizing a civil penalty.
Relating to instructional material and technology, the adoption of essential knowledge and skills for certain public school foundation curriculum subjects, and the extension of additional state aid to school districts for the provision of certain instructional materials; authorizing a fee.
Relating to instructional material and technology, the adoption of essential knowledge and skills for certain public school foundation curriculum subjects, and creating allotments for the procurement of certain instructional materials under the Foundation School Program; authorizing a fee.
Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, and the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools; providing penalties.
Relating to the foundation curriculum, the establishment of the instructional materials allotment, and the adoption, review, and purchase of instructional materials and technological equipment for public schools.
Relating to the instructional materials and technology allotment, open education resource instructional materials, and the State Board of Education long-range technology plan.
Relating to the instructional materials and technology allotment, open education resource instructional materials, and the State Board of Education long-range technology plan.