SPRING HILL, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill (HB) 1557, known as Parental Rights in Education, reinforcing the fundamental rights of parents to guide their children’s upbringing. The legislation bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade and prohibits teaching that is deemed age-inappropriate. Additionally, it requires school districts to establish procedures to inform parents if there are changes in mental, emotional, or physical health services provided to their child. This bill builds on Florida’s Parents’ Bill of Rights from last year and supports Governor DeSantis’ Year of the Parent initiative, focusing on protecting parental involvement in education.
“Across the country, parents’ rights are increasingly challenged, but here in Florida, we stand firmly in defense of parents and their crucial role in their children’s education,” stated Governor Ron DeSantis. “Parents deserve to be fully informed about the services their children receive at school and must be shielded from efforts to introduce sexual content to children as young as five.”
Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez added, “Parental Rights in Education empowers Florida’s families and protects our children. This law prevents school boards and teachers’ unions from withholding important student information from parents. It also bans classroom discussions about gender identity and sexual orientation in grades K through 3. Throughout the legislative session, opponents misrepresented this bill with slogans instead of facts. Fortunately, Governor DeSantis and I believe parents have the right to be involved. We won’t yield to woke corporations using hypocritical tactics. As a mother of three, I’m dedicated to defending parents’ rights.”
Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran emphasized, “Parents are the primary influence in a child’s life, and I appreciate the Governor, Legislature, and parents who continue to champion parents’ rights as the foremost authority in their children’s upbringing. Greater parental involvement results in a higher quality of life for children. This critical legislation ensures Florida’s outstanding educators work alongside parents to help students thrive. I’m grateful for Governor DeSantis’ dedication to Florida’s 2.9 million public school students.”
Senate President Wilton Simpson stated, “Parents hold the fundamental right to decide how to raise their children, and schools should not withhold essential information from them. Children belong to families, not the state. Parents are not adversaries; they are their children’s first and strongest advocates. This law strengthens the Parents’ Bill of Rights Act, protecting parents’ rights and responsibilities to raise their children as they see fit.”
Speaker Chris Sprowls declared, “The government should never replace parents. In Florida, we take a clear stance that teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation has no place in classrooms where five- and six-year-olds learn. It is the parents’ decision if and when to introduce these sensitive topics. This is not a controversial position, and most Americans agree. Only extremists believe that K-3 curriculums should include teaching young children about gender identity.”
Representative Joe Harding said, “This bill is about safeguarding our children, empowering parents, and ensuring they have the necessary information to fulfill their God-given responsibility of raising their kids.”
Senator Dennis Baxley remarked, “Governor DeSantis is standing strong to make sure Parental Rights are respected in our schools. We are fortunate to have America’s best Governor who boldly leads and protects Florida families.”
Parent January Littlejohn from Leon County shared, “I want to thank Governor DeSantis for his steadfast leadership and unwavering support of parental rights in our state. When parents are excluded from vital decisions about their child’s health and well-being at school, it sends a harmful message that their authority and input no longer matter.”
Erin Lovely, a parent from Palm Beach County, said, “You don’t know how something will affect you until it hits home personally. This bill protects parents’ fundamental rights to decide how their children are raised and bans classroom discussions on sexual orientation and gender identity in second grade.”
House Bill 1557 implements three main protections to support students and return authority to parents:
- It bans classroom instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity for students in kindergarten through third grade, and after third grade, any such discussions must be age-appropriate.
- It guarantees parents are notified at the start of each school year about any healthcare services offered at school, with the option to decline.
- It requires that any questionnaires or health screenings for K-3 students must be sent to parents first for review and permission before being administered.
Following the 2022 Legislative Session, the Governor has signed multiple pieces of legislation that support education and parent’s rights: