(WKYT) – Republican sponsors introduced Senate Bill 351 last week, a measure that would block teaching certificates for educators diagnosed with certain disorders excluded from the Americans with Disabilities Act.
The bill’s origin
Sen. Gex Williams, who represents the 20th District covering six counties in northern Kentucky, filed the bill after he said a student at a school in his district was removed from class by his parents. Williams said the child did not understand his teacher’s pronouns and claimed the student was ostracized because of it. Williams would not identify which school the incident occurred at.
“We have a lot of confusion with children out there,” Williams said. “And it begins with teachers who have confusing pronouns that the kids are grappling with.”
Outdated diagnostic tool at issue
The bill would use language from the original ADA passed in 1990, including a diagnostic tool opponents say is no longer used by psychiatrists. Williams said using that original language is necessary.
“They’re using very technical words here and the DSM-3 Revised was the definition of those words when this was passed,” Williams said. “They’ve amended it since then, they amended it in 2008, but they did not amend these definitions.”
Among the exclusions listed in that diagnostic tool is “gender identity disorders.”
Union opposition
Teacher union AFT-120 said it is strongly against the bill, arguing it targets transgender and non-binary teachers.
“I don’t think there’s anything to say here other than this is a disturbing bill,” said Laura Hartke of AFT-120. “Even if you — which you can’t — took the trans part out of it, you’re still talking about using a system that’s no longer in existence.”
Hartke said legislators should instead focus on issues such as funding within public education.
“Teachers are tired of it,” Hartke said. “We are a political football at all times. And this is just another chance to divide instead of unite. Instead of focusing on what our students need. This ain’t it.”
Hartke said she believes the bill is a hate bill. Williams said his goal is to prioritize children and parents.
The bill has been sent to the Senate’s committee on committees. Williams said he expects revisions.