A controversial bill called the "Parents' Bill of Rights" cleared the Senate education committee Wednesday.
The proposal by Senate Republicans would bar instruction in kindergarten through fourth grade on gender identity or sexuality, and it would require school boards to create policies to allow parents to inspect and challenge textbooks.
Among other provisions, the proposal requires schools to make certain classroom reading materials available for parental review and instructs schools to alert parents of any changes to a child’s mental well-being.
Ann Webb is an attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina, who spoke during the public hearing. She said the ACLU is most concerned about a provision that would require parents to be notified if a child changes their name or pronouns.
“The right to informational privacy does extend to students in a school setting,” she said, “Students have a constitutional right to share or withhold information about their sexual orientation or gender identity from their parents, teachers or other parties.”
Republican Senator Michael Lee, who co-sponsored the bill, said he believes parents should have a right to know about their child's gender identity.
Under the bill, a state employee who encourages a child to keep information from their parent would be subject to disciplinary action.
A version of the bill passed the state Senate last year but did not get a vote in the House. Prospects for passage this year have improved as Republican lawmakers increased their margins in the November elections.
