The NC bill could ban LGBTQ+ topics in K-3 classes and impose new parental requirements

RALEIGH, NC (WNCN) — A bill announced Tuesday by North Carolina Republican leaders would limit discussions of sexual orientation and gender identity issues in certain state classrooms if signed into law.

The 10-page bill is part of a broader bill called the Parents’ Bill of Rights and calls for:

• the ban on LGBTQ+ issues in the curriculum for third-grade kindergarten classes
• Require parent notification when students from kindergarten through high school question their sexual identity at school
• Requiring parent notification when a student attempts to use a different pronoun or seek counseling at the school
• Requiring written parental consent for seeking counseling services or non-emergency medical treatment
• Parents can view records of what books and other materials their children have checked out from the library

However, the notification to parents includes an exception for “if a reasonably circumspect person would believe that disclosure would result in the child becoming an abused youth or a neglected youth.”

The bill was discussed in a news briefing Tuesday by Republican leaders who support the bill, including North Carolina Senate President Pro-Tem Phil Berger.

“This proposal strengthens the relationship between schools and parents. The bill aims to increase transparency and trust in our public schools. The more open school staff are in communicating with parents about a child’s education and well-being, the better,” Berger said.

Berger also pointed to language differences with Florida’s bill, which became known as the Don’t Say Gay Act.

Florida’s bill stipulated that classes on these subjects could not take place in K-3 classrooms. This North Carolina bill states that the subjects for these classes “shall not be included in the curriculum.” The bill further defines this curriculum as classroom instruction, standard course of study, textbooks and other supplemental materials.

The bill will be introduced to legislative committees by Sen. Deanna Ballard (R) Wednesday in the state’s Republican-controlled General Assembly.

“We are also setting standards for age-appropriate lessons for our youngest students. This bill prohibits teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation (which) has no place in the K-3 curriculum,” Ballard said.