HB244 Goes Before House Education Policy Committee Wednesday

HB244 is on Wednesday’s agenda for the Alabama House Education Policy Committee meeting. The meeting is scheduled for 1:30 PM in Room 206, and should be available for viewing via livestream HERE.

HB244 would prohibit classroom instruction or discussions related to gender identity or sexual orientation being provided to public school students in pre-K through 12th grade. It would also prohibit public pre-K—12 teachers and educational employees from displaying a flag or insignia related to sexual orientation or gender identity in school property. Lastly, HB 244 prohibits public pre-K—12 educators from referring to a student by pronouns “inconsistent with the students biological sex at birth.“

HB244 was introduced by State Representative Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City), and is cosponsored by Reps. Stadthagen, Yarbrough, Robertson, Harrison, Whorton, Rehm, Wood (D), DuBose, Shaver, Standridge, Shedd, Gidley, Lamb, Shaw, Paschal, Lipscomb and Kiel.

Rep. Butler discussed the reasons he introduced HB244 with ALPolitics.com:

“Classrooms have always been devoted to what has traditionally been called the “Three Rs” — reading, ‘riting, and ‘rithmetic — but there are some educators who want to add a fourth R to the classroom, and that’s radicalism,” Butler said.

“We send our children to school to be educated, not indoctrinated, but some extremists see classrooms as a captive audience that can be used to force their ideas on the next generation.

“Discussions about controversial topics and extremist social theories are best had between a child and their parents or clergy, not in a classroom and certainly not with a moderator who might be pushing a radical agenda.

“If our classrooms return to a focus on the basics, we can improve test scores across the board, prepare our children to fill the good jobs of tomorrow, and reassure parents that their children are not being forced to accept ideas and concepts that are far outside Alabama’s mainstream values,” Butler concluded.

ALPolitics.com reached out to the members of the Alabama State Board of Education for comment on HB244. At press time, only Dr. Allen Long, who represents District 7,  had responded.

"I fully support HB244 and thank Rep. Mack Butler for his leadership on this important issue,” Dr. Long said. “For too long, classroom curriculum has been hijacked by liberals who insert their gender ideology and political agenda on our students. This must end.  Alabama schools need to get back to reading, writing, arithmetic, American history and civics  instead of woke gender ideology.  This ideology is a complete distraction from the skills and knowledge students actually need to prepare for the real world after graduation...not to mention this woke agenda violates the consciences of most Alabama parents."  

Again, the House Education Policy Committee meeting should be available to view via livestream at THIS LINK.