A New Bill Could Allow Kentucky to Take Custody of Kids Using the Wrong School Bathroom

[Nevilledog]

https://www.them.us/story/new-bill-could-allow-kentucky-take-custody-kids-using-wrong-school-bathroom

Kentucky Republicans have introduced a bill that one activist and legislative researcher says could charge the parents of transgender children with neglect, and even deny them custody, if their child uses a school bathroom that matches their gender identity.

House Bill 747 would change the definition of educational neglect under Kentucky law to include “a parent's failure to properly supervise, instruct, train, or control his or her child” if that “failure” is a significant factor in why a child broke a school rule. As Virginia-based researcher and activist Allison Chapman first noted on social media, should HB 747 become law, this could result in trans minors being taken away from their families if they use a school bathroom that does not match their sex assigned at birth.

That kind of “disruptive” bathroom use is prohibited in Kentucky thanks to another Republican bill, SB 150, which became law last year. That law, which the ACLU of Kentucky called “one of the worst anti-trans bills in the country,” set in place broad restrictions on gender-affirming medical care for trans youth. It also established school and public restroom bans, and prevents schools from requiring that anyone use “pronouns that do not conform to a student's biological sex.”

HB 747 was introduced on February 26 by Republican Rep. Jason Petrie, who has held office since 2017 and also voted in favor of SB 150. Petrie’s bill builds on that law by allowing officials to bring “abuse or neglect” charges against parents whose trans children violate SB 150’s bathroom ban. According to Kentucky state law, a parent or guardian found culpable for child neglect can lose custody temporarily or permanently. As of February 29, the bill was under consideration in the House Appropriations & Revenue Committee, of which Petrie is also the chair.

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[Grokenstein]

1. I can't see this leading to violence /sarcasm

[Timeflyer]

2. Because state foster care systems work great! Especially for vulnerable kids. Yeah, right.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

3. I do not recognize my hate-filled, self-destructing state.

[Freethinker65]

4. So a kid/young adult gets into a fight with Mom and/or Dad and contemplates running away from home has an alternative.

In the heat of the moment (month of strict rules because or failing grades or disrespectful behaviors), just use the wrong bathroom at school!!

[TheKentuckian]

5. Andy's veto pen is going to be working

The crooks also have a bill eliminating breaks, lunches, and prep time pay queued up for us.