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Committee introduces RS 32554 expanding prohibition on instruction about gender identity and sexual orientation to K–12
Summary
Representative Dale Hawkins introduced RS 32554, expanding a previously proposed restriction to prohibit instruction on gender identity and sexual orientation through grade 12; members asked for precise statutory definitions and discussed classroom application across course subjects.
Representative Dale Hawkins, sponsor: "We've expanded this from K through 12 because of the push back I got from lots of parents, because this is an issue that the parents don't think that the school should be engaging in with their children at any age." Hawkins told the committee he revised earlier language after receiving feedback that stopping at third grade raised concerns.
Hawkins emphasized the measure addresses instruction about "what people think about their sexual orientation" and "gender identity" rather than biological instruction: "we're not talking about biology, we're not talking about physiology, we're talking about thought, what people think about their sexual orientation. That's what sexual orientation is, gender identity is." He said the revised draft would apply across grade levels.
Committee members pressed for definitions and classroom scope. Representative Church asked whether the bill would bar teaching historical figures such as Harvey Milk and his assassination; Hawkins said he was "completely unaware of the issue" Church raised and said the RS is "dealing with instruction from student to students from their educators on these 2 subjects, period." Representative Mathias asked how the bill would affect high-school biology teachers explaining biological differences; Hawkins said he would provide answers at the hearing.
Representative Ehart confirmed his reading that the RS would apply across subjects and courses, and Hawkins agreed. Representative Hart asked whether the restriction would stretch into unrelated subjects and Hawkins replied affirmatively when asked whether it includes "any" education.
The committee voted to introduce RS 32554; the motion carried and the RS will return for a hearing where members requested precise definitions of "gender identity" and "sexual orientation."
