MIAMI – If a child’s birth name is William, but everyone calls him Billy, his teacher cannot call him Billy without getting a permission slip from his parents.
That is the new policy in some Florida counties regarding student names.
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In Seminole County, Collier County and several others, if a student prefers to be called something other than their legal name, the child’s parent must submit written consent before the schools will acknowledge it.
This is in compliance with Florida House Bill 1069.
The bill, which became law after being signed by the governor, prevents teachers from using pronouns and nicknames in school.
Some feel the policy is targeting transgender students, and say teachers are already overwhelmed by what they’re allowed to do or say in the classroom.
Miami-Dade Public Schools does not have a permission form for pronouns and nicknames, but the school board is expected to discuss how to implement HB 1069 during its meeting next Wednesday, Aug. 16.
The first day of school in Miami-Dade County is Thursday, Aug. 17.
Broward Schools told Local 10 News that it has made changes to its student emergency contact card form that parents must fill out every year.
“To comply with the new law, the district has added a section to its Student Emergency Contact Card that allows parents to designate any preferred name or nickname for their child,” a Broward Schools spokesperson told Local 10 News.
Parents can sign directly under that section attesting that “All staff may refer to my child by the preferred name(s) or nickname(s) listed above on all unofficial documents and during school/district events.”
The first day of school in Broward County is Monday, Aug. 21.