Text of VT H 185 (2019)

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.185 2019 Page 1 of 2 VT LEG #337069 v.3 H.185 1 Introduced by Representatives Rachelson of Burlington, Cina of Burlington, 2 Colburn of Burlington, Gonzalez of Winooski, Killacky of 3 South Burlington, and Notte of Rutland City 4 Referred to Committee on 5 Date: 6 Subject: Education; transgender and gender nonconforming students; access to 7 gender-segregated school programs, activities, and facilities 8 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to provide 9 students access to gender-segregated school programs, activities, and facilities 10 consistent with the individual’s gender identity, irrespective of the gender 11 listed on the student’s records. 12 An act relating to transgender and gender nonconforming student access to 13 gender-segregated school programs, activities, and facilities 14 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 15 Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 2 is added to read: 16 § 2. ACCESS TO GENDER-SEGREGATED SCHOOL PROGRAMS, 17 ACTIVITIES, AND FACILITIES 18 (a) A student enrolled in a Vermont public or independent school shall be 19 permitted to participate in gender-segregated school programs and activities, 20 BILL AS INTRODUCED H.185 2019 Page 2 of 2 VT LEG #337069 v.3 including athletic teams and competitions, and use facilities consistent with the 1 individual’s gender identity, irrespective of the gender listed on the student’s 2 records. As used in this section, “gender identity” means as an individual’s 3 actual or perceived gender identity, or gender-related characteristics 4 intrinsically related to an individual’s gender or gender identity, regardless of 5 the individual’s assigned sex at birth. 6 (b) School teachers and other staff shall address students by the name and 7 pronoun corresponding to their gender identity. Except as required by law or 8 where necessary to ensure health and safety records are accurate, schools shall 9 use the name and gender preferred by the student on all official records. 10 Except as required by law or with a student’s permission, school teachers and 11 other staff shall not disclose information that may reveal a student’s 12 transgender or gender nonconforming status. 13 (c) Schools are encouraged to allow teachers, other staff, and students to 14 identify their sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression on any 15 forms used to collect that demographic data, as appropriate. 16 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 17 This act shall take effect on passage. 18