Florida’s parental rights law remains in effect after lawsuit settled

Florida education officials and civil rights authorities have settled a lawsuit challenging the Parental Rights in Education Act, commonly referred to by critics as the “Don’t Say Gay” law. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the bill into law in March 2022. The act prohibits classroom instruction on LGBT ideology in kindergarten through third grade, but the Florida Department of Education later extended those protections through 12th grade. It also requires that parents be notified of all healthcare service options provided by the school and ensures that they have the right to decline any of those services on behalf of their child. Additionally, the law requires parental consent before questionnaires or health screenings can be administered to a child in kindergarten through third grade. In a statement, DeSantis said the law will remain in effect and continue to protect children from “radical gender and sexual ideology in the classroom.”

What is and is not allowed in classrooms? Students and teachers can speak about sexual identity and gender, as long as it’s not a part of classroom instruction. The settlement also does not apply to school library books used outside of the classroom.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report in Liberties about Disney’s lawsuit against DeSantis.