TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Legislation moving in the Florida Property would ban discussion of menstrual cycles and other human sexuality subjects in elementary grades.

The bill sponsored by Republican Rep. Stan McClain would restrict public college instruction on human sexuality, sexually transmitted illnesses and associated subjects to grades six by way of 12. McClain confirmed at a current committee meeting that discussions about menstrual cycles would also be restricted to these grades.

“So if small girls knowledge their menstrual cycle in 5th grade or 4th grade, will that prohibit conversations from them considering that they are in the grade decrease than sixth grade?” asked state Rep. Ashley Gantt, a Democrat who taught in public schools and noted that girls as young as ten can start getting periods.

“It would,” McClain responded.

The GOP-backed legislation cleared the Property Education Top quality Subcommittee on Wednesday by a 13-five vote mostly along celebration lines. It would also enable parents to object to books and other components their kids are exposed to, need schools to teach that a person’s sexual identity is determined biologically at birth and set up extra scrutiny of particular educational components by the state Division of Education.

McClain mentioned the bill’s intent is to bring uniformity to sex education across all of Florida’s 67 college districts and offer extra pathways for parents to object to books or other components they come across inappropriate for younger kids.

At the committee meeting, Gantt asked no matter if teachers could face punishment if they talk about menstruation with younger students.

“My concern is they will not really feel protected to have these conversations with these small girls,” she mentioned.

McClain mentioned “that would not be the intent” of the bill and that he is “amenable” to some modifications to its language. The measure have to be authorized by one more committee prior to it can attain the Property floor a equivalent bill is pending in the Senate.

An e mail in search of comment was sent Saturday to the workplace of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is broadly observed as a possible 2024 presidential candidate.

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