UPDATE: The proposed bill called by some, "The Don't Say Gay Bill," and others, "The Gay Bill" has been nixed.
The measure that would have forced schools to tell parents if their children have talked to a teacher or counselor about being gay or any other sexual behavior has failed this session. Before we go on though, it is important to note that the word “gay” or “homosexual” was never actually stated in the bill (HB 1332).
The language of the bill specified that a teacher, nurse, principal or counselor would not be prohibited from “responding appropriately to a student whose circumstances present immediate and urgent safety issues involving human sexuality.” Under the proposal, it states that school counseling discussions that may involve the mental health or well being of the child in question could be addressed with the guardian of the child.
The House sponsor, Republican Rep. John Ragan of Oak Ridge, had planned to amend the legislation to require principals or counselors to identify students who might be a potential threat, but he never got a chance to do so.
The House version of that bill died in the House Education Subcommittee on Tuesday after it failed to get a second. The measure also sought to prohibit classroom discussion of anything other than natural reproduction.
Source:
