A bill allowing educators to refuse to use students’ preferred pronouns or names advanced Wednesday in the state House Education Committee, passing along party lines.
The proposition protects staff, students, and school contractors from disciplinary action if they decline to use a name or pronoun that doesn’t match someone’s legal sex.
The bill also bars schools from asking about pronouns and requires parental consent to use names or pronouns differing from a student’s official records.
Supporters call it a defense of free speech and religious freedom, while critics argue it promotes discrimination against transgender and non-binary students.
