ksgf-website-shows-3

On Air

Mornings with Nick Reed

Mon - Fri: 06:00 AM - 09:00 AM

Missouri Proposes SB 134 “Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act”

Missouri Proposes SB 134 “Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act”

Missouri Proposes SB 134 “Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act”

state-capitol-png-14

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP/edited) — Missouri State Senator Mike Moon has proposed the Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act, also known as SB 134.

Sen. Moon’s bill, which received a Tuesday committee hearing in the GOP-led Missouri state Senate, is among several filed across the nation this year that are similar to Florida’s new law.

SB 134 states, “This act establishes the “Vulnerable Child Compassion and Protection Act”, which prohibits any school nurse, counselor, teacher, principal, or other personnel at a public or charter school from discussing gender identity or sexual orientation with a student unless such person is a licensed mental health provider with prior parental permission.”

“The bill follows the lead of Florida’s ‘Don’t Say Gay’ bill but does so with broader impact and implications than any bill being considered in the nation,” said Katy Erker-Lynch, executive director of the LGBTQ state advocacy group Promo.

North Carolina senators are expected to vote Tuesday on legislation to prohibit instruction about sexuality and gender identity in K-4 public school classes. The proposal would require schools in most circumstances to alert parents prior to a change in the name or pronoun used for their child.

Supporters of the Missouri proposal argued Tuesday that parents should be informed about conversations between teachers or counselors and students about gender and sexuality.

Democratic state Sen. Greg Razer, who serves on the committee, called the measure the “most disrespectful bill” he has seen since taking office in 2017. Razer said it would prohibit teachers in his Kansas City legislative district from letting students know that he is Missouri’s only openly gay state senator.

“What is so offensive about me that it can’t be talked about in schools?” Razer asked Moon.

Erker-Lynch told committee members that the legislation “systematically and very specifically erases LGBTQ identity and presence from classrooms.”

“The fact that the bill was dignified by being given a Senate committee should be appalling to any person paying attention and a wake-up call to those who are not,” she said.

“This is protecting vulnerable children and attempting to protect them from conversations that need to be had with the approval of the parent and potentially at home,” sponsor Moon told a Senate education committee.

Recommended Posts

Loading...