'The Don't Say Period Bill?' Anatomy of a sex ed bill moving through Florida legislature

A proposal is moving forward in the Florida House and Senate that opponents fear would prohibit elementary school students from talking to teachers about their menstrual cycles. Supporters argue HB 1069 and SB 1320 builds upon the parental rights in education measures the Florida Legislature has approved the past two sessions.

Rep. Stan McClain, R-Ocala, concedes he is amenable to amending his proposal to allow a student to discuss menarche, a girl's first menstrual cycle.

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, through a spokesperson, said the House prohibition on such discussions is not in the Senate version, which cleared its first committee stop Monday, and has one more committee hearing before going to the full Senate.

Universities a target: DeSantis’ ‘Stop WOKE Act’ faces court test as universities become targets. At issue: free speech

The Gotcha Police: Florida teachers, school staff caught by 'gotcha police' as DeSantis culture wars heat up

Florida and Gender Identity: House votes to regulate talk of sexual orientation, gender identity in Florida schools

Florida's student menstrual cycle controversy

McClain stunned Democrats on the House Education Quality Subcommittee Wednesday when Rep. Ashley Gantt, D-Miami, a former schoolteacher, asked if his proposal would prohibit a 10-year-old (5th grade) from talking to a teacher when they experienced their first menstrual cycle.

From USA TODAY:Florida bill would ban girls from talking about their periods in school, GOP lawmaker says

“It would,” said McClain.

McClain, a contractor in private life, would later explain his intent is not to punish students who posed questions under such circumstances and that he would be amenable to amendments.

When Gantt asked for clarification. McClain said, he was “amenable to having a conversation about it in context with what we’re trying to achieve in the bill.”

Florida Planned Parenthood Action reacted to the exchange with a tweet of “WHAT” followed by a question mark, exclamation mark, question mark, and exclamation mark.

That led Forbes Magazine to dub HB 1069 the “Don’t Say Period Exclamation Mark” bill. 

First menstruation can occur between the ages of 10 and 16, according to the National Library of Medicine, and can occur as young as 8, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 

Athlete periods:866 people sign up to urge FHSAA to take menstrual questions off athletics form

The questions

Gantt said the House bill would prevent teachers and schools from doing their job.