Florida bill requires elementary schools to teach sexual identity is determined biologically at birth

A Florida bill seeks to ban schools from discussing menstrual cycles, sexual diseases, and other human sexuality subjects before the sixth grade. 

The bill, which is sponsored by Republican Stan McClain, passed the House Education Quality Subcommittee last Wednesday with a 13-5 vote, and will have to be approved by another committee before reaching the House floor. 

If passed, House Bill 1069 would restrict public schools from teaching human sexuality, sexually transmitted diseases, and other related topics including menstrual cycles in schools. The bill would also require schools to teach that an individual’s sexual identity is determined biologically at birth.

According to McClain, the bill intends to bring uniformity to sex education across all of Florida’s schools and provide parents with an opportunity to decide what materials are inappropriate for their children. 

Democrats opposing the bill claim that the measures are too extreme, citing that medical providers recommend discussing puberty and changes in their body before they occur and that some girls get their first period in elementary school.  

“So if little girls experience their menstrual cycle in 5th grade or 4th grade, will that prohibit conversations from them since they are in the grade lower than sixth grade?” asked Democratic Representative Ashley Gantt.

“It would,” McClain responded to Gannt’s question. 

The bill is one of the latest to be introduced to change Florida’s education system.

So far, Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed bills that restrict discussing sexual orientation and gender identity in classrooms and bar transgender student athletes from participating in school sports.