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This is Deep Dive: WFHB and Limestone Post Investigate where we look into issues regarding Health, Housing, and the Environment that directly impact residents of Monroe County. We are looking into Indiana’s legislation that pertains to education. This week, we look into House Enrolled Act 1608.
During the 2023 legislative session, the Indiana Statehouse passed a swath of bills that advocates are calling a “slate of hate.”
According to the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana, this year Indiana lawmakers introduced a record number of bills targeting LGBTQ+ Hoosiers. This included a ‘don’t say gay’ bill that forces teachers to out students, a banning of essential medical care for trans youth and a bill that censors books in schools related to LGBTQ+ topics – all of which were signed into law.
Today, WFHB News focuses on House Enrolled Act 1608 titled “Education Matters.” This law prohibits any person, entity or vendor working in school from providing instruction on human sexuality for Grades K-3. It also requires schools to notify parents or guardians in writing when their child requests to change their name, title, pronouns or other identifying terms if the student is not an emancipated minor.
We spoke with Executive Director of the ACLU, Jane Henegar, Dr. Jeff Hauswald the Superintendent for MCCSC, and a Monroe County School Teacher. We also featured a high school senior, who asked to be identified as Possum, who spoke at the MCCSC School Board meeting during public comment, and Steve Hinnefeld from the Limestone Post spoke with Beth Clawson, the mother of a 10-year-old transgender daughter.
That concludes our coverage on Indiana’s Education Legislation. To read the full article written by Steve Hinnefeld and photography by Garrett Ann Walters, visit Limestone Post Magazine . To submit feedback to WFHB you can email [email protected] or you can leave us a voice mail at 802-552-3483