An amendment to Florida’s controversial ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill requires schools to out students to their parents within six weeks of learning the student is any sexual orientation other than straight.
The original version of the bill required schools to inform families of their child’s LGBTQ+ status if the student told a school official. However, it allowed for an exemption in cases where there was a suspicion of the information leading to abuse, neglect or abandonment, according to WFLA.
The amendment filed on Friday by the bill’s co-sponsor, state Rep. Joe Harding (R) got rid of that exemption and explicitly require schools to inform parents of their child’s sexual orientation within a six week period .
The amendment instructs school leaders to “develop a plan, using all available governmental resources,” to tell parents their child’s sexual orientation “through an open dialogue in a safe, supportive, and judgment-free environment that respects the parent-child relationship and protects the mental, emotional, and physical well-being of the student.”
Another amendment filed by Democratic Rep. Ana Eskamani would allow Florida students to sue the state’s Department of Education for damages and attorney fees for causing “irreparable harm” by revealing their sexual orientation, according WFLA.
The bill and its 14 amendments will go to the full Florida House for a vote later this week.
The controversial bill already has the support of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R).
