TAMPA, FLORIDA — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a “Let Kids Be Kids” bill package to protect Florida’s children from genitally mutilating surgical procedures, gender identity politics in schools and sexually explicit adult performances.
“Here in the United States, you have a very – I would say ideologically charged small group of folks within medicine that are really pushing these types of procedures on minors – we think that is wrong,” DeSantis said.
“Florida is proud to lead the way in standing up for our children,” DeSantis exclaimed. “As the world goes mad, Florida represents a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy.”
The governor was joined by Florida’s Education Commissioner Manny Diaz and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida at Cambridge Christian School in Tampa. Diaz said the legislation was important to keep students safe as schools focus on education, not indoctrination or woke gender ideology.
Weida said Florida is following true scientific studies and evaluating standards of care so that kids in Florida are protected from harmful drugs and disfiguring surgeries.
SB 254 prohibits sex reassignment surgeries and experimental puberty blockers for children. Adult patients who are receiving these medications or surgeries must also be informed about the dangers and irreversible nature and provide written informed consent.
Courts may also issue temporary emergency injunctions to step in and stop sex reassignment procedures for out-of-state children present in Florida. The new law also creates a pathway for individuals and families to seek damages if they have been injured or killed as a result of receiving “sex reassignment” surgeries or medications as minors.
HB 1069 protects students from being forced to declare their pronouns in school. Additionally, the bill expands parental rights in education by prohibiting classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in Pre-K through 8th grade.
HB 1438 protects children from sexually explicit performances in all venues. A person may not knowingly admit a minor to an adult performance. Additionally, the Department of Business and Professional Regulation will now fine, suspend, or revoke the operating or alcohol licenses of hotels or restaurants if they admit a child into an adult performance.
HB 1521 ensures that Florida’s bathrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms are safe places for women. Educational institutions, detention facilities, correctional institutions, juvenile correctional facilities, and public buildings with a restroom or changing facility must designate separate facilities based on biological sex or provide one-person unisex facilities.
HB 225 allows private school, virtual school and home school students to participate in sports and other extracurricular activities at other public or private schools, regardless of zip code. The new law ensures that all students can play sports without interference from extremist bureaucratic boards. Teams may now provide brief opening remarks, including prayers, before high school athletic contests.
