A Florida Republican seeking to limit sex education for students confirmed in a committee hearing on Friday that the bill would also prohibit young girls from discussing the menstrual cycle with school officials.
Legislation proposed by Rep. Stan McClain (R), House Bill 1069, seeks to limit the educational materials used in state schools, which critics see as banning books. The bill requires that course materials and instruction on sexually transmitted diseases, health education or materials on human sexuality “occur only in grades 6 through 12,” according to the legislation.
During the House Quality Education Subcommittee on Wednesday, Rep. Ashley Viola Gantt (D) asked McClain if this bill would prohibit girls younger than 6th grade from spending time in school.
“Does this bill prohibit the conversation about the menstrual cycle – because we know that it is usually between the ages of 10 and 15 – so if little girls have their menstrual cycle in the fifth grade or the fourth grade, what will prohibit the conversation from them because they are still in grade. below sixth grade?” Gantt asked McClain during the committee hearing.
“It will,” McClain replied.
Gantt asked a follow-up question later in the session, explaining that the teacher would be punished if students came up with problems or questions about periods. McClain responded that “that would not be the intent of the bill,” and that he was “amenable” to an amendment that would ensure the conversation could take place.
McClain did not immediately respond to HuffPost’s request for comment.
In addition to limiting sex education, McClain’s bill requires schools to teach that “sex is determined by biology and reproductive function at birth” and that “this reproductive role is binary, stable, and unchangeable.” The law also requires all educational materials to be approved by the state Department of Education and allows parents to limit the library books their children can access.
A Florida House subcommittee passed the bill along party lines by a 13-5 vote on Wednesday afternoon.
Bill McClain is one of the killers of extreme bills introduced in the Florida legislative session that began earlier this month. Some lawmakers have introduced legislation banning educational materials, including critical race theory and women’s studies. State lawmakers also introduced a six-week abortion ban. Most of the legislation will pass because Republicans have a supermajority.