Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
Agency
Department of Education
 
Board
State Board of Education
 
Guidance Document Change: The Model Policies for the Treatment of Transgender Students in Virginia’s Public Schools guidance document was developed in response to House Bill 145 and Senate Bill 161, enacted by the 2020 Virginia General Assembly, which directed the Virginia Department of Education to develop and make available to each school board model policies concerning the treatment of transgender students in public elementary and secondary schools. These guidelines address common issues regarding transgender students in accordance with evidence-based best practices and include information, guidance, procedures, and standards relating to: compliance with applicable nondiscrimination laws; maintenance of a safe and supportive learning environment free from discrimination and harassment for all students; prevention of and response to bullying and harassment; maintenance of student records; identification of students; protection of student privacy and the confidentiality of sensitive information; enforcement of sex-based dress codes; and student participation in sex-specific school activities, events, and use of school facilities.
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2/3/21  7:24 pm
Commenter: Emily

First Amendment Violation
 

First, this bill is drafted to virtue signal, to pander, and nothing else. While I am for letting people live the way they wish to, for people having difference of opinions, and for people of different beliefs and perspectives, this bill does the opposite. By the government mandating a penalty for expressing ones beliefs or demonstrating freedom of speech, it’s in essence is at odds with it’s purported intention of inclusiveness. Make no mistake, there is a strong case to be made that this clearly violates the First Amendment, and lawsuits will come. This bill pushes far beyond the envelope of the role of the school, totally blowing up the lines between parental rights and the role of educators. Perhaps, the Democratic lawmakers pushing this bill, alienating the majority of constituents will pay the price come re-election.  

CommentID: 96221