Idaho Gov. Brad Little signed a bill into law on Monday, which will take effect on July 1. The new law bans government entities and schools from compelling staff and students to use pronouns for individuals that do not correspond with their biological sex.
The measure, House Bill 538, sponsored by Rep. Ted Hill (R-Eagle), was passed by the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature last month. Under this legislation, government employees are protected from adverse employment action if they decline to address an individual using a name other than their legal name or their preferred title or pronoun that is inconsistent with their biological sex.
Teachers and other employees in public schools or institutions of higher education are also prohibited from intentionally addressing a minor by a name or pronoun that does not align with their sex assigned at birth without written consent from their parents or guardian.
Individuals who are harmed by a violation of this measure have the right to sue for damages and relief if they are disciplined. Such lawsuits must be filed within two years of the violation occurring.
The legislation states, “No person in the State of Idaho is compelled by any governmental entity in the State of Idaho to communicate statements that such citizen believes to be false.” It emphasizes the need to protect people against unlawful compelled speech.
Supporters of the bill, including the Idaho Family Policy Center, view it as a way to fight against the radical LGBT agenda and protect teachers from adverse employment action for using biologically correct pronouns.
On the other hand, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Idaho, which opposed the bill, expressed disappointment with Gov. Little’s decision to sign it into law. The ACLU also criticized another measure, House Bill 421, signed by the governor, which changes the legal definition of “sex” to an individual’s biological sex.
Despite the controversy surrounding these bills, Governor Little has stood by his decision, which could potentially lead to lawsuits and has sparked discussions about discrimination against transgender individuals in Idaho.
Last month, Gov. Little also signed a bill banning transgender individuals from using Medicaid and other publicly funded programs for gender-affirming medication or surgeries, which will also take effect in July.
Can you please rewrite this sentence for me?
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