Updated regulations for school nicknames and restroom policies in Orange County announced

Orange County, Florida – As students in Orange County prepare to return to school this week, district leaders have issued guidelines to educators on how to implement new regulations concerning students’ names and pronouns. The message highlights the district’s obligation to comply with state laws HB-1069 and HB-1521, which mandate that teachers acknowledge students based on their biological sex.

Under these laws, male students who identify as female must be referred to as male by their teachers in Florida classrooms. Furthermore, the legislation dictates that students must utilize restrooms and locker rooms that align with their biological sex. The letter sent out to educators stresses the definition of sex as an “immutable biological trait” and emphasizes that it is “false to ascribe to a person a pronoun that does not correspond to such person’s sex.” The legislation specifies that an individual’s sex is determined by the genitalia they possess at birth, making their biological sex at birth their true sex.

The district has also indicated that transgender employees are required to disclose their sex to students. In light of these regulations, district leaders have advised educators to use only students’ first names as listed on their class roster. However, if parents complete a form granting permission, educators may utilize nicknames. For instance, a student named “Robert” would need parental consent to be referred to as “Rob” in the classroom. The form can be accessed by visiting the provided link.

HB-1521 mandates that transgender students and employees use bathrooms that correspond with their sex or single-stall facilities. Single-stall restrooms or coaches’ offices will be made available to transgender students for changing during physical education classes. Visitors who enter restrooms designated for the opposite sex may face criminal charges of trespassing, according to district officials.

For further information regarding the district’s plans to adhere to these new state laws, additional details can be found by following the link provided. Stay informed with today’s headlines in just minutes by subscribing to Your Florida Daily. (Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)