(USNewsMag.com) – On May 17, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed four bills that ban minors from receiving gender-affirming care, restrict the use of preferred pronouns in schools, restrict the use of bathrooms, as well as restrict drag shows.
Senate Bill 254 prevents access to puberty blockers, hormone replacement therapy as well as gender-affirming surgeries by minors. The bill includes new regulatory hurdles for adults to receive gender-affirming health care. The bill allows providers of gender-affirming health care to be sued more easily by the recipients.
Under the bill, if a child has been threatened with being subject to or subjected to gender-affirming procedures or medications, the Florida courts will be granted temporary jurisdiction. The bill takes effect immediately.
House Bill 1069 prohibits classroom instruction for pre-K through the eighth grade of gender identity. There will be restrictions for those in high school for lessons that involve “human sexuality.” The bill requires that abstinence for those not married be taught to “all school-aged students.”
The bill also says that gender is a biological trait and pronouns that do not correspond that are false. Kindergarten through eighth grade public schools are prohibited from having policies that require transgender people be identified by the pronoun they chose by staff and students. The bill goes into effect July 1.
House Bill 1438 prohibits minors from being admitted by establishments into “adult live performance,” which includes drag shows. The bill takes effect immediately.
House Bill 1521 bars the use of public restrooms as well as locker rooms by transgender people that are not consistent with the gender assigned to them at birth. Anyone over 18 years old who does not follow the new law can be charged with criminal trespass. The bill goes into effect July 1.
DeSantis is expected to launch a campaign for the 2024 Republican nomination for president before the end of May.
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