Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a package of "Let kids be kids" legislation on Wednesday. The five proposals, effective on July 1, regulate different areas of child development, from school and sports to medical treatment.
"As the world goes mad, Florida represents a refuge of sanity and a citadel of normalcy," the governor said in Tampa, where he also assured that his state was proud to "lead the way in standing up for our children."
Florida Will Let Kids Be Kids https://t.co/nSGOu40v1o
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 17, 2023
No more surgeries or puberty blockers
Sex change surgeries and puberty blockers will be illegal in Florida for those under 18. Health professionals who violate this regulation could even lose their medical licenses.
This is established in one of the regulations approved by DeSantis, SB 254, which also provides a mechanism to compensate victims of injury or death during these treatments.
Sb 254 - Florida by Santiago Adolfo Ospital
Exceptions may exist, although this will depend on the opinion of the Board of Medicine and the Board of Osteopathic Medicine. Those would be for minors who started treatment before the law came into force but not without prior parental consent.
The standard also reserves a few paragraphs for adults. Those who want to expose themselves to these treatments will first be informed about their risks and irreversible consequences.
With my signature, Florida permanently prohibits genital mutilating surgical procedures and experimental puberty blockers for minors.
Minors given these procedures without their consent will now be able to recover damages for permanent injury or death caused by these medical… pic.twitter.com/yedpRgowPP
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 17, 2023
In the classroom and on the playing field
Students and teachers will be saved from having to state their pronouns in the classroom. They also may not be forced to use pronouns that do not conform to the biological sex of students or staff.
HB 1069 also vetoes instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in preschool through eighth grade.
In addition, the law requires that pornographic or obscene material be prohibited and that the Department of Education approve all educational material dealing with health issues.
Hb 1069 - Florida by Santiago Adolfo Ospital
Among other provisions, HB 225 allows teams to give speeches before the start of sports competitions, which can include prayers.
Hb 225 - Florida by Santiago Adolfo Ospital
Drag shows
SB 1438 makes it illegal to show live performances for adults to minors. According to the law, these include any "presentation that depicts or simulates nudity, sexual conduct, or specific sexual activities," among these activities:
drag shows. Violators may spend up to one year behind bars and pay fines of up to $1,000.
Sb 1438 - Florida by Santiago Adolfo Ospital
The last of the five rules approved by DeSantis on Wednesday, HB 1521, restricts access to public restrooms and locker rooms. Individuals must use these facilities according to their biological gender, regardless of how they identify themselves. In the event of non-compliance, citizens may file complaints with the public authorities.
Those accompanying minors, senior citizens, or individuals with disabilities, among other exceptions, may enter the restroom designated for the opposite sex.
