Trans-identified Florida faculty required to use bathrooms per their biological sex, not gender

On Wednesday, the Florida Board of Education (BOE) voted unanimously that bathrooms in private K-12 schools and state colleges must be used according to a person’s biological sex rather than gender identity.

The new rule also applies to university student housing and changing facilities. Additionally, student handbooks, including codes of conduct and disciplinary procedures must be updated to conform to the new guidance.

According to the Florida Department of Education, staff and faculty could be terminated after two documented offenses, and institutions are required to create disciplinary actions for students who violate the new rule.

The new rule was adopted to bring institutions into compliance with Florida House Bill 1521, the Safety in Private Spaces Act which was signed into law in May. The legislation similarly requires bathrooms and locker rooms within schools, higher education institutions, and government facilities including prisons and jails, to be used based on a person’s biological sex.

Rep. Rachel Plakon (R-Seminole) who sponsored the bill said "This ensures the safety of all Floridians by requiring the use of common decency standards in all private spaces. This is a simple, common sense bill."

Additionally, the board unanimously adopted that parents can request a Special Magistrate if they disagree with a local School Board’s decision regarding classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity or materials used in class or a library.

The BOE also unanimously approved a rule in line with Florida Senate Bill 846, which limits education institutions from entering into grants and gifts with a foreign country of concern.