A GOP-backed bill in Florida would ban young girls from discussing their period while in school.
State Rep. Stan McClain proposed House Bill 1069, which says “instruction in acquired immune deficiency syndrome, sexually transmitted diseases, or health education, when such instruction and course material contains instruction in human sexuality, such instruction may only occur in grades 6 through 12.”
Democrat Rep. Ashley Viola Gantt asked McClain at a subcommittee hearing on Wednesday if the bill would ban young girls from discussing their period, noting that girls typically start experiencing their menstrual cycle in fourth or fifth grade.
“It would,” McClain responded.
He later said banning young girls from discussing their period “would not be the intent of the bill” and he would be “amenable” to potential amendments.
The bill ultimately advanced out of subcommittee on Wednesday on a 13-5 party line vote.
Gantt told The Washington Post the bill is “egregious.”
“I thought it was pretty remarkable that the beginning of a little girl’s menstrual cycle was not contemplated as they drafted this bill,” she added.