Family & Sexuality

On April 22, HB 241 (Grall) achieved final passage in the Senate (24-15). The bill was passed earlier this month by the House (78-37) and will go to the governor for his signature. This FCCB supported measure ensures that the right of parents to review instructional materials and curriculum is clearly communicated. It also establishes parental consent requirements for medical care provided to a minor child. Having access to information about their rights allows parents to make informed decisions and better direct their child's education and health care. In the Senate, HB 241 was substituted for its companion bill, SB 582 (Rodrigues, R.).

On April 14, HB 1475 (Tuck) passed the full House (77-40). The measure protects the rights of female athletes and promotes equality in women's sports by recognizing key biological differences between men and women and requiring separate sex-specific athletic teams. Laws and policies that affirm gender identities not aligned with biological sex often overlook the potential for serious, and often irreversible, physical harm to gender dysphoric individuals, especially minors, who attempt to "transition." In a letter to Rep. Tuck, the FCCB outlined its support for HB 1475. The Senate companion, SB 2012 (Stargel), includes an exception for "persons who transition from male to female" if they meet certain conditions, such as specified testosterone levels. SB 2012 was temporarily postponed this week by the Senate Rules Committee but is scheduled for a hearing on April 20.